What is Asphalt Trench Paving

Trench Paving is a unique service, in that it is typically done on a parking lot or property after repairs to electrical, plumbing, or irrigation projects have been made.  Unlike standard asphalt paving repairs that are made when asphalt fails completely or is failing partially, trench repairs are typically a byproduct of another problem or fix.  At Empire-PLS, we believe that you shouldn’t treat them with any less care than any other asphalt repair project.  Trenches require the same time and energy that all asphalt repair projects deserve.  That’s why when you hire Empire Parking Lot Services, you get a company that takes pride in the project and brings quality to your asphalt project.

How a Trench is Paved

Here are the seven basic steps in paving a trench.

• Saw Cut:

Sometimes asphalt will be removed with tools that leave rough broken asphalt edges (Think plumber with a jackhammer).  If you require a clean and professional look we can saw cut your trench to create smooth edges for a cleaner transition from old asphalt to new asphalt.

• Compaction of Native Soil:

Before any paving can be done the soil beneath the asphalt must be compacted to avoid any low spots from forming during the asphalt installation process.  We achieve this by using hand compactors called vibe plates.  Many contractors disregard this important step and assume that the soil is already compacted enough.  We say why take the chance?

• Tack Coat Edges for Good Adhesion:

This is another step that is often skimped on by some contractors.  Tack coat is basically the glue that binds the old asphalt edge to the new asphalt material that is being installed.  Sometimes paving contractors will apply this sticky material to the seams of the asphalt work once it’s completed to seal that edge.  Empire-PLS will tack around the outer perimeter then pave over the tack coat sealing the tack and the edge safely under the new asphalt.  This helps in two ways.  First, there is no tack to get tracked in to your business office or vehicles and second, the asphalt edge is paved over and not up to.  By doing this we completely pave over the edge effectively sealing the seam under the asphalt.

• Base in Trench if Needed:

Sometimes a lot of the native soil has to be removed to get a repair completed.  When this happens Empire will import in some base material to fill in the voids and space left behind.  Base can consist of dirt, gravel, sand etc.  What base we choose is dependent on the type of project that is being repaired.  Base material can be imperative in creating a repair that will last a long time without sinking or allowing a low spots to form.

• Base Pave (This is the First Layer of Asphalt to Install):

Base pave simply means inserting a little bit of asphalt that will then be compacted with a plate or roller.  The idea behind this is that by paving the trench in 2 lifts you again avoid the chances of having voids and air pockets form in your asphalt.  Most engineers will write this into paving specs because of how effective it is.  Many paving contractors however will ignore this step in order to cut down on labor and increase profits.

• Finish Pave     (This is the Final Layer of Asphalt to Install):

This is exactly what it implies.  Once the base pave has been installed and compacted by machine it is time to install the finish pave or final lift.  With compaction achieved in both the native soil and base pave we now safely install the finish pave.  Another thing we do that many other contractors will not do is iron the edges. This is a critical final step of our finish pave.  Edge ironing is just what it sounds like.  We take a very large & very heavy steel iron and heat it up with torches and then we iron the seams of newly paved edges.  This simple procedure can make all the difference on whether or not your new asphalt trench seams unravel or hold.  We believe these small details add up over time and create a product that will last longer and look better.

• Machine Roll to Smooth Finish:

Now that your trenches are completely filled in with base, and the new asphalt has been installed in 2 lifts, it’s time to roll the whole trench.  With an asphalt roller our team will roll the new asphalt material again and again until the foreman decides that the asphalt is stable, solid and no longer moving. This whole process is referred to as “achieving compaction”.  Our team roller man will know exactly when the trench has received enough compaction by how the asphalt moves under the roller.  Years of experience is needed to understand how the asphalt should or shouldn’t move once the job is done.

About Empire Asphalt Repair Services

Empire Parking Lot Services is a Southern California pavement contractor that specializes in parking lot and warehouse maintenance.  Every day we help our property management customers, contractors, facility maintenance technicians, as well as our direct owners with many of their parking lot maintenance needs including Trench Paving.  Empire Parking Lot Services offers top notch parking lot repair and warehouse maintenance services to the entire Southern California area.  Our service area includes Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside County, San Bernardino, San Diego, as well as parts of Ventura.  Contact us today if you have any questions about any project you may have upcoming.  Empire Parking Lot Services is a fully licensed & fully bonded asphalt contractor company.

Call us at: 714-633-0300

Or look us up on the web at www.Empirepls.com

Empire Parking Lot Services

1080 Batavia Unit N

Orange, Ca. 92867