Is your parking lot or driveway in rough shape? Does it have badly eroded cracks or spots, or look distorted, twisted, or warped throughout? Did you know you can repair it?
Driveway resurfacing is a fairly modern driveway repair job that allows both business and home owners to restore their driveways and parking lots to dramatic effect, making them look as good as new. In this informative post, learn more about what resurfacing means and how it works, and find out how you can get your pavement resurfaced in Portland.
What Does Resurfacing Mean?
Resurfacing a driveway is exactly what it sounds like: re-leveling your driveway with an additional slab of concrete or asphalt, to enhance its appearance and make it look brand new. Because resurfacing costs a lot less than replacing a driveway completely, and since it helps protect the slab underneath, both asphalt and concrete resurfacing in Portland are two highly sought out types of driveway repair.
How Does Driveway Resurfacing Work?
Before anything can go in your driveway, some things need to come off, to ensure that whatever goes on sticks. That’s why resurfacing typically starts with quite a bit of cleaning, to remove the dirt, debris, algae, and weeds that tend to accumulate on driveways and lots. If you hire a professional for parking lot or driveway resurfacing in Portland, they’ll generally start by removing weeds and debris first—often with a handheld instrument like a screwdriver—followed by dusting off debris with wire brush, broom and/or leaf blower. They might even cap it off with a pressure washer to ensure all the dirt’s been removed.
The next step is to fill in the cracks with filler and “flatten the bead” with a putty knife or trowel, followed by cleaning any oil stains if there are any. Once your driveway is “repaired,” the final step is to resurface the pavement using a resurfacer. Resurfacers will contain material that compliments the color and texture of your existing driveway—such as cement or asphalt—while also containing polymers which ensure that the mixture sticks to your pavement.
From there, “resurfacing” is simply a matter of pouring and spreading the resurfacer onto your driveway to ensure a smooth and seamless surface, and letting it dry.
How Long Does Driveway Resurfacing Last?
Both asphalt and concrete resurfacing are specifically made to to be highly resistant to gas and oil (in the event of spills) as well as ultraviolet sun-rays and extreme temperatures. Higher quality resurfacers will also have sand or other granular substances added, to increase traction and prevent accidents. That said, while driveway resurfacing can be completed in less than 24 hours, the new layer on top of your driveway can last anywhere from 8 to 15 years. Not only that, but resurfacing can increase the longevity of the slab underneath, saving you money as well.
How Much Does Driveway Resurfacing Cost?
Driveway resurfacing in Portland and Beaverton is an incredibly custom project, with the cost ranging widely based on the type of resurfacing needed (be it asphalt or concrete), the size and scope of the project, and local labor costs. That’s why at Alpha Paving, we provide estimates for all your paving projects, big and small. Contact us for a FREE on-site consultation to get a custom estimate for your driveway repair and resurfacing project.
What’s the Best Time to Resurface A Driveway?
While you can technically resurface a driveway any time, the best time is before the temperature drops below freezing. Rainfall can easily enter spots and cracks, causing them to freeze and expand out. This can cause a major mess and even call for a more major repair.
Not sure if your driveway can or needs to resurfaced? Check out our blog, When to Resurface Your Driveway to find the answers to just that.
What’s the Best Company for Driveway Resurfacing in Portland?
Keep in mind, while resurfacing sounds easy in theory, doing it can often be anything but. While cleaning your driveway is relatively easy-going, applying a resurfacing agent and spreading it out does require quite a lot of technique. It takes a skilled paver who really knows there’s stuff to ensure a seamless and even coating.
Fortunately for you, the best company for both parking lot and driveway resurfacing in Portland is only a phone call away! At Alpha Paving, we’ve helped countless business and home owners pave, seal, and resurface their driveways, parking lots, sidewalks and more—and we couldn’t be happier to help you too!
Contact us now to get a FREE on-site consultation or to learn more about our professional driveway and parking lot repair services in Portland!