Amacchione Brothers

What Causes Asphalt Damage

Asphalt pavement is a highly durable paving solution for roads, driveways, and parking lots. However, there are elements that can cause damage to asphalt, causing cracks or holes, and making it dangerous to your vehicle. In this blog post, you’ll learn about the different types of asphalt damage, the reasons why asphalt cracks, and why potholes occur in asphalt.

Asphalt Damage Types

It’s important to understand the different ways that asphalt can be damaged in order to understand exactly what damage you’re dealing with. When asphalt is damaged, it can come in the form of potholes, fatigue cracks, blowouts, sinkholes, and root cracks.

Potholes are one of the most common forms of damage that can affect asphalt. This damage occurs when the area beneath the surface of the asphalt has been compromised, not repaired, and completely failed, which eventually leads to a depression in the pavement.

Fatigue cracks are another type of common asphalt damage, and can occur even more frequently than potholes. These cracks often appear in a similar pattern to shattered glass and can occur from water damage. The cracking is a result of traffic and repeated heavy loads on the surface that are improperly distributed, as well as an unstable foundation.

Blowouts are fairly similar to potholes, as they are essentially massive potholes or shallow sinkholes. They happen as a result of the same situation as potholes – a failed foundation under the surface of the paved area.

A sinkhole is possibly one of the worst types of damage that can happen to asphalt pavement. Sinkholes are a result of complete erosion of the subsurface, usually from improper drainage or plumbing leaks, which create a hole in a pavement.

Root cracks are caused by tree roots that grow underneath a paved asphalt surface and appear as winding, raised linear bumps. These bumps can eventually open up to become larger cracks.

Why Does Asphalt Crack

Now that you have a good idea of the different types of cracks that can happen to asphalt, it’s important to know what exactly causes these cracks in order to help prevent the damage.

The deterioration of asphalt is natural because the materials that make up asphalt break down over time and become affected by elements like rain, sunlight, and chemicals that come into contact with the asphalt.

Over time, and especially without proper maintenance, water penetrates the asphalt and washes out the foundation underneath the surface, causing it to crack, break down, and then collapse.

The sun can affect asphalt through oxidation, which breaks down and dries out the once liquid asphalt and causes raveling and shrinking cracks. This allows water to penetrate beneath the surface, further damaging the asphalt.

Chemicals such as gas and oil can soften the asphalt and cause it to break down more rapidly.

What Cause Potholes in Asphalt

Potholes, as stated above, are one of the most common forms of damage that can occur to asphalt, and these holes can vary in size and shape. Their main cause is the expansion and contraction of ground water after the water has entered the ground under the pavement. When the water freezes, it expands and this expansion is what causes bending and cracking, weakening the material pavement. When the water melts, the pavement contracts, leaving gaps in the surface. This creates a cycle of gaps being created for water to go under the pavement, freeze and expand, then melt and contract.

Contact Us Today

Here at A. Macchione Brothers offer nearly 40 years of experience as industry-leading asphalt milling experts serving Northern New Jersey and the Northern Bergen County area.

We tackle any damaged pavement areas, including the restoration of parking lots, large driveways, and roadways. Contact us for any project you need, as our crew and machine can help with all aspects of asphalt services. Schedule a free estimate, and discuss your project details with one of our owners today.

Parking Lot Expansion

For commercial properties that need extra parking space, it’s typical to pursue a parking lot extension. These expansions can also be necessary due to new machinery, increased inventory, drainage or safety issues, or a general lack of space. Regardless of the reason you may want or need to extend a commercial parking lot, it is crucial to understand the fundamentals before you start.

At A. Macchione Brothers, we understand the ins and outs of working with asphalt, and we are proud to work with a variety of clients on their parking lot expansion projects. Let’s look at some of the essential facts to understand when considering a parking lot extension.

The Benefits of Parking Lot Extension

There are many reasons to consider a parking lot expansion, and it can bring many unexpected benefits as well. Here are some of the most common benefits:

More parking spaces. This one is pretty simple; a larger parking lot means more room for parking spaces. This can be important if your company or organization is growing past expectations, or if you are expecting a surge in visitors.
More room for cars to maneuver. Increasing the size of your parking lot can create more room for cars to turn, pass each other, and pull into spaces. This will improve the experience of visitors and employees using your parking lot, as well as make it safer for cars to traverse.
Opportunities to fix problems with construction. Issues that have formed during or since the construction of your parking lot can be addressed while expanding it. A professional asphalt paving company will ensure your needs are addressed when expanding your lot. This can also include preventative measures, such as asphalt sealcoating or drainage solutions for runoff.

Tips for Making a Parking Lot Bigger

There are a few key factors to consider and steps to pursue when planning a parking lot expansion that will ensure your project goes smoothly. Let’s review some quick tips:

Assess your needs. This should be your first step when considering an expansion. What unique needs do you have for your parking lot? Do you need updated drainage solutions? Are there any issues your current lot is facing that need to be addressed before expanding? These questions should be discussed with your asphalt paving provider before the extension begins.
Make a maintenance plan. It’s vital to keep your parking lot in great condition after the expansion. Routine care for your parking lot is essential for extending the life of your pavement and includes repairing cracks and potholes quickly, and opting into a high-quality asphalt sealcoat.
Leave the installation to the professionals. An experienced asphalt pavement company will be able to provide the best possible outcome for your next parking lot expansion project. Ensure their equipment and capabilities meet your needs before beginning the project.

Contact Us Today

Here at A. Macchione Brothers offer nearly 40 years of experience as industry-leading asphalt milling experts serving Northern New Jersey and the Northern Bergen County area.

What Is Asphalt Milling?

Asphalt milling, also called pavement milling, is an affordable and environmentally sustainable method for repairing small areas with asphalt, from driveways, roads, and busy parking lots. It is best for areas with widespread surface damage like cracking, raveling, or uneven slope.

Asphalt milling is a process of asphalt restoration where the top layer is removed to smooth the surface. This resurfacing of the asphalt helps prevent drainage issues and preserve the drainage patterns in the road. While also maintaining an even pavement height.

Most of the asphalt removed can be made into recycled asphalt material that can be used again, making asphalt milling an environmentally friendly solution. Asphalt milling is also economical and enables the restoration of a smaller pavement area rather than having to be demolished entirely and repaved.

How to Mill Asphalt

During the asphalt milling process, a large capacity grinder (or human-driven cold milling machine) is used to grind down the topmost layer of asphalt pavement, anywhere from a couple of inches to a full-depth removal. Asphalt milling has to happen before any overlaying or repaving can begin.

While traditional road demolition requires entirely ripping up damaged pavement and throwing it away. Asphalt milling helps repair only the damaged part of the road. The removed pavement is then used as aggregate in new hot-mix asphalt that can be used for uneven paved surfaces, fixing damaged roads after an accident, paving driveways, hardscape filler in landscaped gardens, and more. Any recycled asphalt (or millings) not used in road maintenance can then be sent to the roadbuilder’s maintenance depot or sold to traders in asphalt millings for resale.

After asphalt milling, new asphalt can be laid down without increasing the height of the roads. Therefore, preventing asphalt from getting too high — as having multiple overlays in structures adds too much height — which will create issues in the long run.

Contact Us Today

Here at A. Macchione Brothers offer nearly 40 years of experience as industry-leading asphalt milling experts serving Northern New Jersey and the Northern Bergen County area.

Why Does Asphalt Turn Gray?

Asphalt pavement is formed by combining a tar known as bitumen with crushed rock, known as aggregate. The aggregate is what gives asphalt its structure, allowing for heavy loads. The bitumen is what holds the asphalt together and gives asphalt its color. Freshly paved asphalt is a thick, heat-absorbing black, but asphalt does not stay black forever. Over time, the bitumen can wear away and deteriorate, leaving gray aggregate—and therefore, gray pavement—behind.

Not only can this color change impact the aesthetics of your pavement, but asphalt that turns gray is also brittle and likely to crack. That is why it is important to maintain your asphalt pavement. You can trust A. Macchione Brothers to ensure your asphalt is properly installed and maintained.

Asphalt Wear and Tear from Traffic

One of the ways that asphalt can turn gray is through the general wear and tear of traffic. As vehicles traverse the road, they can wear away the bitumen in asphalt pavement, exposing the aggregate. On a small scale, such as in a personal driveway, this is less likely to be an issue, but on a grand scale, such as a road with heavy traffic, the stresses of vehicle travel can compound.

Asphalt Damage from Weather

Another potential cause of asphalt damage is weather. Freeze/thaw cycles, high heat, rain, and other weather conditions can all have an impact on the bitumen in asphalt. These changes in weather can alter the color of asphalt, but can also damage the structural integrity of asphalt. In winter, extreme low temperatures can cause asphalt to shrink, leading to potential cracks. In spring and fall, rainfall and snowmelt can cause water to seep into asphalt and slowly deteriorate the bitumen. In summer, asphalt is at the greatest risk of issues caused by sunlight and oxidization.

Asphalt Deterioration from Oxidization

Oxidization is a molecular process that occurs when asphalt is exposed to oxygen, and the process begins as soon as asphalt is laid. Asphalt that has faced oxidation for an extended period of time will become brittle, less elastic, and more prone to cracks and damage. Oxidation can also cause asphalt’s load-bearing capability to decrease.

Several factors impact the rate of oxidization, such as temperature, exposure to oxygen, and time, but asphalt can be protected from these factors. Being proactive about maintaining asphalt pavement can reduce the rate and effects of asphalt oxidation. Sealcoating is an excellent way to reduce the risk of oxidation, and should be performed every year or two before the asphalt oxidizes. After asphalt has oxidized, sealcoating will not be enough to repair the structural damage caused to the pavement.

Contact Us Today

At A. Macchione Brothers, we provide exceptional commercial asphalt paving services. We are a family-owned company, and we have gained an excellent reputation in the industry for our commitment and expertise. If you are looking for a team of professionals that understands your needs and can work with you to achieve your goals, we invite you to contact us to request an estimate.

When To Repair Your Driveway

Driveways are such an important part of a home – they add curb appeal, they remain sturdy for years, despite the wear and tear from vehicle usage, and when properly paved by a professional asphalt paving company, they can last for decades!

And even while driveways play such an important part of our home’s exterior design – along with many other functions, their damages can often go unnoticed or ignored, which can end up leading to a host of financial and emotional issues. This is why we can’t stress enough that driveways need to be taken seriously. Small damages, like potholes and cracks, can continue to grow to such an extent that eventually the entire driveway itself will need replacing.

To help homeowners and renters like yourself, we’ve created a guide that can give you an idea of what to look out for when it comes to proper driveway maintenance. At the first signs of wear, make sure to contact a paving specialist with experience in residential driveway paving; they can help determine any underlying issues you may have and prevent further, expensive damage.

Signs of Asphalt Driveway Damage

To ensure the longevity and quality of your driveway, here are a few issues to look out for. It’s also not recommended to try and fix any of these yourself as asphalt driveways can be extremely temperamental when handled or applied incorrectly.

The most important thing you can do as a home owner or renter is keep an eye on your driveway and contact an asphalt professional to assess damages and devise a resurfacing plan.

Cracks

While cracks may seem harmless, they’re actually one of the biggest reasons why so many driveways require a full replacement. Even small cracks can allow oil, water, gas, and other environmental substances to penetrate which, over time, can cause the asphalt to expand from freeze-thaw weathering.

Potholes

Potholes, like cracks, are created by both environmental and man-made sources and can also lead to an eventual replacement if not properly treated in time. Potholes can continue to expand in changing weather and can be unsafe for heavier vehicles, as they typically indicate a decrease in support capabilities.

Water Pooling or Drainage

As asphalt is a porous material, water pooling and damage to drainage can lead to cracks, potholes, and further deterioration of a driveway’s structure. If you begin to notice pooling in certain areas or streams of running water, it’s time to get it checked by professionals.

Crumbling Edges

If you start to notice that the edges of your driveway are crumbling, it might be an indicator of erosion and will need to be repaired, as this can further lead to bigger issues like water damage. It can also indicate that the asphalt’s foundation is simply too thin, which can be determined easily by a professional.

Aging or Wear

While driveways can last 15-20 years, they do eventually wear out and need routine maintenance – it is a heavily trafficked area, after all.

If a driveway is showing serious wear and tear, it might just be smarter to replace it and start new with a fresh, high-quality base. Luckily, A. Macchione Brothers offer a completely free estimation to determine which option is best for you and your family.

Repair or Replace your Driveway Today with A. Macchione Brothers!

Is your driveway in need of repair or repaving? We’re here to help!

For 37 years, we’ve been the trusted name in asphalt paving for the Northern New Jersey/ Northern Bergen County area and we know we can provide the quality service you’re looking for at a price you can afford.

For more information on driveway paving or to get an estimation, please contact us today!

Why Are Roads Made of Asphalt and Not Concrete?

Why Are Roads Made of Asphalt

Roads are a necessity, and they have been since trade first began in ancient cultures. Traveling along an established route made for a simpler and easier trade experience, and roads have been an important part of our infrastructure ever since. At approximately 625 B.C., asphalt was used to build roads for the first time in Babylon, and it set a tradition in motion.

The first modern asphalt road was created in 1824 when large chunks of natural asphalt rock were used to pave a huge boulevard in Paris, France. Nearly a century later, asphalt made from refined petroleum outpaced natural asphalt in production and usage. In the early 20th century, as automobiles became more popular, the demand for high-quality roads led to various innovations in asphalt paving.

Today, 94% of roads in the United States are made using asphalt, and nearly 900,000 miles of American roads were paved with asphalt in 2016, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Asphalt is also one of the most recycled materials, with more than 70 million metric tons recycled annually.

Asphalt vs. Concrete Roads

When choosing a paving material, your two biggest options are concrete and asphalt. They each pose advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to consider these when selecting your paving material. From costs to durability, there are a variety of factors at play.

The Benefits of Asphalt Roads

When it comes to concrete vs. asphalt roads, the first main difference is the durability of asphalt as a material. Although concrete often has a longer lifespan than asphalt, concrete does not fare well against a multitude of environmental conditions. In a city with harsh seasonal weather, such as spring freeze/thaw cycles, concrete is more likely to crack, due to the way concrete is composed. Concrete is also more likely than asphalt to become slippery during rain or snow. In contrast, asphalt absorbs heat from the sun to naturally help clear the roads after storms, including melting snow.

Repairing concrete can also be much more difficult. Holes, cracks, and other structural issues cannot just be patched over; the entire section of pavement must be taken out and replaced. In comparison, a minor asphalt repair can be completed easily by the average person, and a major repair is cheaper and easier than with concrete. Concrete also has a long curing period after installation and repairs, while asphalt roads can be driven on much sooner after installation.

Another major difference is in the texture of each surface. Asphalt generally produces a smoother and often quieter driving experience, especially when relatively new. When installing concrete, the texture is brushed into the surface to create enough grip for cars. This texture can make for a bumpier and noisier driving experience. Asphalt can also have more grip than concrete, and naturally offers better skid resistance and traction.

Contact Us Today

At A. Macchione Brothers, we provide first-class commercial asphalt paving services with professionalism and experience. We are a family-owned company and one of the most highly recommended names in the industry. If you are looking for a team that understands your needs and can help you achieve your goals, we encourage you to contact us to request an estimate.

How to Maintain an Asphalt Parking Lot

As parking lots are the first thing a new or repeating customer will see before entering a business, it’s of the utmost importance that the parking lot be well-maintained, clean, and up to commercial standards. A parking lot with excessive potholes, cracks, faded lines, and puddles is an immediate turn off to both clients and customers who rely on a well-maintained parking lot throughout the year.

As parking lots naturally experience a lot of wear-and-tear over time – whether it be from natural sources like air, water, and sun, or from man-made sources like heavy vehicles and accidents, they require routine maintenance to ensure they lasts as long as possible (if well-maintained, a properly paved asphalt parking lot can last 20-30 years.)

Whether you’re looking for asphalt paving, milling, preparation, or grading, the professionals at A. Macchione Brothers are here to help keep your parking lot looking good as new.

How to Maintain an Asphalt Parking Lot

While a crack here and a pothole there might not seem like a big deal in the moment, over time, these flaws in a parking lot’s foundation will only continue to grow and get worse, eventually costing you more money, more time, and a lot more stress.

Trust us, creating a maintenance schedule for your parking lot is a quick solution that will save you down the road.

Keep reading to learn our best tips for maintaining your asphalt parking lot.

Sealcoating

Asphalt seal coating ensures a fresh new look that gives any residential home, business, apartment complex, office complex, or industrial complex an updated, cleaner appearance. By creating a durable top layer “sealcoat,” external sources like water, oil, and sun rays have less of a chance to penetrate underneath the asphalt and create more damage.

Depending on usage and weather, a professional sealcoating service can last from two to four years.

Pothole Patching

Growing from the lethal combination of contracting and expanding underground water, potholes are not to be ignored if you’re looking to extend the life of your asphalt parking lot. It’s vital that once you spot a pothole, you call a professional to patch it in order to prevent it from spreading and damaging further ground.

Crack Sealing

Like potholes, cracks can seem harmless until they spread and wreak havoc on an asphalt pavement. To prevent water from entering, the crack should be sealed with crack sealer. This will ensure the longevity of the foundation and typically won’t need to be replaced for about two to three years.

Water Removal

Nothing damages an asphalt parking lot quite like water. As the weather and seasons change, the drastic change in temperatures will cause the water to heat and cool, creating potholes and cracks from the subsequent freeze-thaw cycles. Creating preventative measures to ensure that water doesn’t have the chance to seep into cracks or potholes will be your best, and least expensive, maintenance measure.

Trust A. Macchione Brothers for Your Asphalt Paving Needs!

If you’re looking to pave your parking lot, there’s no one who can do it better than A. Macchione Brothers. For 37 years, we’ve proudly been the recognized name in the Northern New Jersey/Northern Bergen County area and we’re here to answer any all of your asphalt parking lot questions today.

Benefits of an Asphalt Driveway

Very Long Home Driveway With Fresh Asphalt

When it comes to putting in a new home driveway, the two most common options are concrete and asphalt. It truly comes down to your own personal preference but understanding the benefits of an asphalt driveway vs. a concrete one is something you should know before making a choice for your residential driveway. Even though both have pros and cons, there are some definite benefits of an asphalt driveway that make it the better option in many cases.

Asphalt vs. Concrete Cost Comparison

Let’s begin by looking at the costs. Putting an asphalt driveway in as opposed to a concrete one is going to be much more cost-effective. If you want an option that will better fit within your budget, asphalt is the way to go. The total cost depends on a few different factors, including: your geographic area, the current market price for materials, and the prep work needed for your property before asphalt can be laid down. Typically, though, you can expect that asphalt will cost about ½ less than concrete.

Asphalt is Easier to Maintain and Repair

Did you ever see a concrete driveway that’s beginning to crack all over? It’s not exactly a pretty sight. The maintenance costs of an asphalt driveway are much less than concrete. Asphalt driveways are much easier to repair than concrete driveways. An asphalt driveway that needs to be repaired is usually done by a simple repaving of the top layer. Concrete? That needs to be replaced, and it is costly to have professionals come out and rip up the old concrete and replace it with an entirely new driveway. If an asphalt driveway does start to show some cracking, it can easily be repaired by the homeowner – and it won’t cost much. Even without any paving experience, you can pick up crack sealant products at the store and apply them on your own.

Asphalt Driveways Look Good

Asphalt is the paving material of choice for many people that want to enhance the curb appeal of their home. The smooth black surface can look much better than gravel, dirt, or poorly laid brick pavers. Asphalt driveways look nice and smooth, as opposed to the industrialized look of concrete. They look great, and, if desired, you can choose from some finishes and tints that can make an asphalt residential driveway look even better.

Less Time to Install and Cure

When it comes to installation, the benefits of an asphalt driveway are simple: they’re a lot easier to install because they take much less time. You can also drive on an asphalt driveway almost immediately after it’s installed because it takes less time to cure. A professional asphalt company will install your residential asphalt driveway the right way.

Contact the Professionals at A. Macchione Brothers Today

Asphalt driveways have a lot of great benefits that concrete ones simply can’t match. The experienced team at A. Macchione Brothers, Inc. would be thrilled to discuss any questions you may have about the benefits of an asphalt driveway. One of our owners would be happy to provide a free estimate so you can have complete transparency about our residential asphalt paving services. Contact us or call 201-652-2700 for the best in customer care, quality workmanship, and competitive rates!

Tire Marks on Asphalt Driveway

Getting a new asphalt driveway put in can be a great day in the life of a homeowner. The smooth, black aesthetics can really make your home stand out and shine. There’s one problem, though, that happens many times and may cause angst for the happy homeowner – tire marks or power steering marks on an asphalt driveway.

The good news? They’re usually superficial and temporary.

If you notice scuff marks or tire marks on your new asphalt driveway, don’t despair! When you have your driveway sealed or you have a new asphalt driveway put in, scuff marks on new asphalt are a common occurrence. It’s normal for most brand new asphalt driveways to have scuffs on them after a short period of time. Most homeowners do not notice them on new roads or parking lots of local businesses, but when they appear in your driveway at home you notice them immediately.

We’re going to let you know what you can do to get rid of tire marks on your asphalt driveway as well as how to prevent them.

Why Tire Marks Happen

When owners of new asphalt driveways see tire marks or scuff marks on their driveway, they often believe it’s due to poor workmanship from the paving company that did the work. They believe that the new driveway won’t last very long. This is not correct. Tire marks on a new asphalt driveway are a minor issue that will not have any bearing on the quality and long-term performance of an asphalt driveway. Tire scuffing is common and it isn’t due to poor materials or bad construction.

How to Prevent Tire Scuff Marks on Your Asphalt Driveway

There are some measures you can take in order to prevent tire marks on your asphalt driveway. First, if you notice the temperature outside is steamy and really hot, the asphalt may become softer and more pliable as it absorbs the extreme heat. A vehicle driving on it will probably leave some tire marks. There’s a simple way to alleviate this. Grab your hose and spray water on your asphalt driveway. This will cool it down and harden it, making it much less likely to have any tire marks or scuff marks when vehicles drive on it.

It’s also important to monitor the vehicles that are going to be driving on your new asphalt driveway. If you are having a new addition put on your house or doing any type of construction, contractors may have heavy construction trucks or other heavy equipment. Do not let them use your brand new asphalt driveway! Heavy vehicles will most likely leave scuff marks or tire marks and they may do more damage than that – so it’s important to know what kind of vehicles will be on your driveway and to make sure heavier ones remain parked on the street. In addition, driver behavior may be the cause of scuff marks. 180 degree turns from a parked position can cause tire marks. Braking really fast and coming to a stop will also cause scuff marks most of the time – so you should not only be aware of heavier vehicles – be cognizant of the drivers that are using your asphalt driveway as well. Our best piece of advice is, if you are turning your steering wheel in the driveway, you want your car to be moving as well. A stationary car with turning wheels will scuff the surface of the asphalt.

Contact Us Today

Tire marks on your asphalt driveway should not keep you up at night. It’s a superficial, impermanent issue that won’t last long and it can be prevented as well.

A. Macchione Brothers is proud to serve hundreds of residential customers in the Northern New Jersey/Northern Bergen County area with reliable residential asphalt driveway paving services. With more than 40 years in business, we’d be happy to provide you with a free estimate and answer any question you may have about asphalt driveways – contact us today.

How to Care For an Asphalt Driveway

Large Driveway Freshly Seal Coated New Jersey

In order to keep your new, beautiful asphalt driveway in pristine condition, proper care and maintenance will need to be taken. Following these steps will not only ensure its longevity, but will also keep costs down as improper asphalt maintenance can be expensive.

Let’s take a look at how exactly you can properly care for and maintain your asphalt driveway.

Avoid Driving on New Asphalt

The first step in caring for your new A. Macchione Brothers’ asphalt driveway is remembering to avoid driving on it for the first 3 days after paving.

Asphalt Texture

An asphalt driveway is made up of various textures, including:

Stone
Sand
Liquid Asphalt

The different sizes of these materials will affect the surface of the driveway, so surfaces may look smoother in some areas and rougher in others.

Keep Excessive Weight Off

Parking heavy materials like heavy trucks, campers, or boats for long periods of time on your new asphalt driveway can cause blacktop depression. Low weight materials like chairs, bicycles, or barbeques can also create indents and holes in the blacktop, so be mindful when attempting to place anything on new asphalt.

Avoid Driving on the Edges

The edges of a driveway tend to be the weakest part due to lack of support on the sides. With continued parking, the edges will crumble or crack, so move inward if you can.

Contact A. Macchione Brothers Today

Trust the experts at A. Macchione to repair or repave your asphalt driveway today!

For over 37 years, our family owned business have been making sure our customers receive the highest quality asphalt driveway care. Contact us today to set up your residential or commercial asphalt driveway.