Blacktop excavation is one of the processes in paving project. It is important to know the things regarding blacktop before you start your project. Heres how:
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What to Use When Cutting Pavement?
The blade used in cutting asphalt is different from the one you use to cut other structures such as granite, marble or concrete. A diamond blade with a hard bond is the one to be used because the asphalt is softer compared to other surfaces. On the contrary, some soft bonded blades may not be effective of use when cutting asphalt pavement.
The exposed edge of a diamond blade is worn away while cutting asphalt that will later result to unabated cutting when the said wear is exposed to a new layer of grit. When cutting asphalt, the hard blades are better to use because this easily releases the grit. Likewise, wet and dry are varieties of asphalt cutting blades where the dry one has a softer bond compared to the wet blade. Take note that the wet asphalt cutting blade need need to lubricate and cool while cutting the pavement.
Why Cutting Pavement is Necessary?
For repair or replacement of asphalts, cutting the deteriorated pieces is required in order to fill the potholes. There are appropriate tools and required equipment for cutting pavement and in order to complete the repair project.
What are the Steps in Cutting Pavement?
There are three basic steps to follow when undertaking the repair of asphalt. Whether you are repairing a damaged portion or fixing the pothole, it is important to understand the steps necessary to successfully finish the ob. Here are the basic steps to follow:
Step 1: Sweep – Clear the working area by sweeping the debris like pebbles and rocks to ensure that your saw will be safe during cutting.
Step 2: Mark the Cutting Lines – Cutting the damaged area only will not be effective unless you take solid edges by 
marking lines a bit wider than the damaged portion. It is a good way to cut the pavement if it is still in a good shape. Using square up edges is better than round patch because the repair can last long. Using a chalk line, mark the area and path the pavement to be cut through denting it with an old screwdriver and a hammer.
Step 3: Doing the Cuts – Check how deep the area to ensure the paving thickness. Then, set the blade to the desired depth. It is important to do a straight cut then stop and lift the blade for the next cutting position. While the blade is still running during asphalt cutting, remember never to turn the saw because this will only break the blade. After-which, you are now ready to remove the damaged portion.
Cable tip: One straight cut path is required when cutting the pavement to run a cable. First mark, then cut, lay the cable and eventually fill the crack.
It is not only important to understand how the steps to cut the blacktop but it is necessary to know the strategies on how to properly maintain and repair the rest of the asphalt to guarantee that asphalt replacement on the decayed or damaged portion will not be done sooner.
How to Properly Maintain/Cut Asphalt
Asphalt can be saved from deterioration if proper maintenance is done. Frequent repairs can be avoided and damage can be prevented for several years if asphalt pavement is maintained in good conditions. Make sure to fill the surfaces once there are cracks and sealcoating every two or three years . This way, backtop excavation may not be required anymore.
Here are various factors which can cause cracks on asphalt such as heavy vehicles, occurrence of extreme weather conditions, tree roots or earth movements. Backtop excavation and repaving the damaged parts is the best solution when frequent cracking occurs. Larger cracks and the spreading of damage can be prevented when using the proper asphalt crack repair products.
How to Fix Cracks on Asphalt
The ability to dry immediately and its durability is amongst the properties of Elasta-Fill Cold Pour Asphalt Cracker Filler, the reason why we recommends it the most. This convenient to use filer can be easily pour into the cracks and fissures as soon as the area is cleaned from vegetation and debris.
Here are some of the best ways to fix cracks:
Sealcoating
Every two or three years, through sealcoating that replacement and blacktop excavation can be minimized. The unique asphalt rejuvenation capabilities of coal tar asphalt sealer is best recommended of use. Water and other liquids can be prevented from penetrating the surface causing deterioration the blacktop pavement as well as designed to be environmental-friendly high grade sealer.
Potholes Repair
Another way to fix pavement cracks is through patching or repairing potholes. This could be done by marking the area to be repaired by extending at least one foot from outside the damaged area. An asphalt cutting blade is essential to use when cutting a square-edge hole on the asphalt and avoid jack hammer. This can prevent the weakening and movement of the patch.
Before patching, it is recommended to make the area dry when its wet then clean it from debris. Then, the asphalt materials should be filled in the hole through distributing the mix at the edges first. Using an aluminum rake, level and spread the asphalt material. Also, coarse material can be prevented from rising to the surface when avoiding over-rake.
Asphalt hot box is greatly useful if you are an asphalt contractor which holds large asphalt projects because this tool can hold hot asphalt during patch work for approximately 14 hours. This unique hot box can be used whole year-round on asphalt patching works even on winter. For less than $6,000 and a two-year guarantee , you can get a 4-ton hot asphalt box with free delivery.
Asphalt Experts – How to cut Asphalt
Specializes in sealcoat and asphalt crack repair products, Asphalt Experts are committed to deliver quality service and convenient sipping right at the doorsteps of your establishment or home. If you are interested to learn more about how to properly maintain your asphalt or cut through blacktop, email us. Our friendly customer service is more than willing to offer you with maximum assistance and offer the best tips on how to effectively care your asphalt.
It would be really cool to get some pavement cut for my house. Maybe I should make some phone calls and get some help with that. My wife will hopefully get on board with the whole idea.
These tips for maintaining asphalt seem like they would help me take better care of my driveway. I need to repair it every year, so knowing how to care for it would help to reduce the number of repairs it needs. I liked your tip to fill in any cracks that appear. Usually, I’ll see a bunch of cracks once winter is over, so I should take advantage of the warm weather during the spring and use that time to fill in any cracks that I see.
I didn’t know that you would need a different blade to cut asphalt. It is a little bit different than cement or granite. It’s still tough to cut through, but if necessary it’s doable.
Thanks for sharing all of this advice on taking care of your asphalt pavement, and how to cut it. I had no idea that so many steps are involved in cutting a piece of asphalt– I thought you could just get the diamond blades and cut away! However, if you have to carefully mark everything, then I think it might be better if the cracked asphalt in my driveway was cut by a professional. Unfortunately, the cracks are too thick for fillers, and I want to have it replaced anyways to make it look better. In fact, as soon as I get home from work, I’ll start looking around for a contractor in my area!
This can be a really difficult job, especially when there are so many different types of pavement. It can be hard to know how the process differs for each one. I really appreciate your instructive article and all of the helpful tips that you offered. Thank you, I will be going about this job with much more confidence!
Thanks for helping to simplify this process. You’re right, it’s important to know more about the things pertaining to blacktop before starting a project. I’m a big DIY kind of guy and wanted to tackle some asphalt paving jobs myself. It seems like following your list of steps will help it turn out really well.
We are going to excavate our old asphalt driveway, and design a new one. After reading, it appears that we will need a diamond blade with a hard bond in order to cut out parts of the driveway that we are trying to re-do. Hopefully we can be able to access that type of equipment for the job, so thanks for sharing.
Repairing pavement isn’t as easy as filling a hole with dirt. There are certain things that have to be done before you can patch the spot. One of the things that you mentioned is that you have to cut the pavement. This is to be sure that you are getting all of the bad asphalt out and will have a clean space to work with. One thing that I did want to mention is that you should always hire a professional company when it comes to paving.
I really appreciate you letting me know about these tips for asphalt cutting. Filling pot holes can be so difficult sometimes. I think think this article has a lot of really fun ideas though.
Great tutorial. Cutting asphalt is not an easy task to accomplish. The details you laid out explain it perfectly. Appreciate the share!
I did not realize that there was asphalt filler that helped with cracks. Our driveway is starting to crack a little because of the harsh winter. I will have to to try the asphalt filler.
I had no idea that maintenance is needed for asphalt paving every few years. The roads in my neighborhood are starting to get bad and I don’t thing they’ve ever been maintained. I wonder if I could call the city and see about getting some repairs done sometime this year.
This is some really good information about cutting asphalt. It does seem like a good thing to be aware of when you want to have a nice driveway. I liked that you talked about how you should fill cracks in the asphalt right away.
Hi Erin!
Thank you for this informative post. It contains a lot of good information in my opinion!
It is good to hear, that asphalt doesn’t necessarily need frequent repairs. This is why I am using this durable material on my pavement. Of course I will try to take as good care of it as possible. The most worried I am about tree roots growing trough and damaging the asphalt. I will keep in mind how to fix the cracks in case!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!