What is Asphalt Grading?

Encountering areas of standing water on pavement can be inconvenient – but it can also be dangerous for the asphalt. Unfortunately, in an area that is not properly graded – or that has worn down over time – dips and other uneven areas can easily occur, putting the asphalt in jeopardy.

Rainy situations are a reminder of why grading is so important. But how does it work? And what exactly is asphalt grading?

Asphalt grading is a method of ensuring parking lots, driveways, roadways, and sidewalks are entirely level. A primary reason this is addressed is so that water will not puddle in a rainy situation, but rather properly drain and shed.

A level surface can reduce the chance that water will stand, And asphalt grading goes a step further to ensure runoff. Depending on the roadway, it may be slightly higher in the middle so that it can slope. It doesn’t take much elevation to make this happen so any special grading is not usually very noticeable at all.

How Asphalt Grading Works

One of the first steps that must be done in the creation of a roadway involves creating a subgrade. While this may vary, it typically consists of about 3 to 6 inches of tightly packed stone aggregate material, such as gravel. Compacted, this creates a solid and firm foundation on which the asphalt will be placed.

The asphalt is then sloped appropriately so that water cannot pool, but rather drain. To do this, a slight pitch of about ½ inch is all that is needed. Known as asphalt crowning, this creates a high point in the middle so that the slope and runoff can easily be created as a proactive means of protection. Not every roadway requires crowning, but it is always an option that can be used if necessary.

Factors that Impact Asphalt Grading

There are a few things that can impact the overall process of asphalt grading. Understanding the area and the terrain, as well as taking into consideration any nearby drains/sewers and structures is vital for success.

The following factors play a role:

The type of soil found at the site that needs to hold the gravel and asphalt
The type of erosion control
The overall density of the site

The Importance of Asphalt Grading

One of the most important reasons for asphalt grading is to avoid standing water. Nobody wants to have to step around puddles, drive through them, or end up getting wet because of them. So having a level ground can be convenient. But the need for asphalt grading is even bigger than this.

While every day rain puddles will dissipate as quickly as they came, standing water can be dangerous for asphalt.

When a road isn’t properly graded, standing water can stick around. It will begin to seep into the asphalt and then into the roadway’s foundation. This leads to degradation and instability – and eventually cracking, potholes, indents, and more.

Even the tiniest cracks can lead to major problems in the future.

Proper asphalt grading allows you to maintain control over where the water goes, ensuring it drains from the roadway – and away from any structures.

Asphalt Grading at TopWest Asphalt Ltd.

If you want to give your asphalt the greatest chance for longevity, then you need the right .team of experts on your side. At TopWest Asphalt Ltd., professional asphalt paving is what we do. And that means you can expect the perfect grade to keep your pavement puddle free.