Frequently Asked Questions about Concrete and Asphalt Contracting
Concrete
What benefits can I get by opting to use concrete instead of asphalt?
Begin by considering the cost of concrete over its lifetime. A good quality concrete job will last more than 30 years with little or no maintenance. Asphalt needs periodic seal coating.
What type of concrete mix should be used?
The most commonly used mix design is a 3000 psi concrete but can be as high as 5000 psi depending on what the customer wants.
What size of reinforcing steel should be used and what spacing?
We usually recommend #3 rebar (3/8”) on 18” inch centers for light to medium duty concrete and #4 rebar ( ½”) on 12” centers for heavy-duty concrete.
What provision can be made to avoid cracks?
There are many reasons why concrete cracks but they rarely affect structural integrity. Concrete “shrinks” slightly as it hardens, therefore; the proper spacing of joints is the most important factor to control cracking.
Can I get a guarantee that my slab will not crack?
No, all concrete will crack. We try to minimize the chance of cracking by using saw cuts and expansion joints to direct where the concrete will crack.
How should one select a concrete contractor?
Everybody has the same objective in mind when they looking for a contractor, they want their job done professionally as inexpensively as possible but keep in mind you are buying materials and workmanship. Don’t underestimate how important workmanship is to the job, this not to say pick your highest estimate but be careful of low estimates.
If a contractor asks for money upfront, be very skeptical, reputable contractors will not ask for money upfront. Start by having the contractor you are considering, have his insurance company supply you with a workman’s comp and general liability certificate. This will eliminate most fly-by-night contractors.
I also recommend getting some references and taking the time to go look at these jobs. Another approach is to ask the contractor what jobs he is currently working on now. Get the phone numbers and addresses of these jobs and do a drive-by. This will give you an idea of what you can expect on your job. You might also want to call the owner of this property to get his thoughts on the contractor.
Asphalt
What is asphalt and how is it installed?
Asphalt is a petroleum-based material. For the best result, a professional paving contractor, utilizing specialized equipment should complete the installation.
How much will my asphalt project cost?
The cost of asphalt varies for every job. Asphalt is a product whose cost is based on the amount of labor and material required to complete the job. The majority of the variation in cost lies in the preparation of the existing surface and the size of the project.
How do I maintain my new asphalt surface?
Preventative maintenance including crack filling and seal coating should be completed in two to three years.
What is the most critical factor in a good asphalt job?
If the base is not installed thick enough it will not bear the load and the asphalt on top of the base will also fail. Nine times out of ten, if the asphalt is cracking, the base is too thin.
What kind of material is base and how does it work?
The base is one of the most important phases of a quality paving job. Recycled crushed concrete is the most commonly used base in the Houston area. Base works by a process call aggregate interlock, where the big and small pieces come together to spread the load over a wide area.
How thick should the base under the asphalt be?
The base should be 6” to 8” thick depending on the weight of the vehicles.
How thick should the asphalt be?
1 ½” to 2” inches is usually sufficient.
How long should asphalt last?
Properly installed asphalt should last 20 years to 30 years but will need to be seal coated every 2 to 3 years.
What is the main cause of asphalt failure other than old age?
Most of the time asphalt failure is caused by an improperly installed base that is not thick enough.
How should one select an asphalt contractor?
Everybody has the same objective in mind when they looking for a contractor, they want their job done professionally as inexpensively as possible. Keep in mind you are buying materials and workmanship. Don’t underestimate how important workmanship is to the job, this not to say pick your highest estimate but be
careful of low estimates.
If a contractor asks for money upfront, be very skeptical, reputable contractors will not ask for money upfront. Start by having the contractor you are considering, have his insurance company supply you with a workman’s comp and general liability certificate. This will eliminate most fly-by-night contractors.
I also recommend getting some references and taking the time to go look at these jobs. Another approach is to ask the contractor what jobs he is currently working on now. Get the phone numbers and addresses of these jobs and do a drive-by. This will give you an idea of what you can expect on your job. You might also want to call the owner of this property to get his thoughts on the contractor.
