Asphalt Resurfacing in Pittsburgh, PA

Asphalt resurfacing puts a new layer of hot-mix asphalt over existing pavement. Around Pittsburgh, it suits driveways and parking lots that have gone grey, rough and cracked on the surface after years of sun, salt and plowing, but that are still firm underneath: no large sunken areas, no heaving, no wide-spread potholes. On the right pavement, it gives you a new surface for a fraction of replacement cost. HomeGuide notes an overlay typically saves 20 to 30 percent compared with full replacement.

Is your pavement a candidate?

Good candidates:

• Faded, oxidized, rough or raveling surface
• Scattered linear cracks with firm pavement between them
• A few isolated failed spots that can be repaired first

Not good candidates:

• Alligator cracking across large areas
• Sections that heave in winter or have sunk
• Water standing in ruts or low spots
• Pavement that has already been overlaid several times and is too high at the garage or curb

An overlay copies the pavement underneath it. Cracks in a failing base come back through the new layer, usually within a winter or two. We check before recommending an overlay.

How resurfacing is done

First, the failed spots are cut out and rebuilt so the overlay has a solid base everywhere. Cracks are cleaned and sealed. The surface is swept, and a tack coat is sprayed so the new layer bonds to the old. Then hot mix is placed to the thickness stated in your quote and rolled to density. Edges are tapered or butt-jointed at the garage, walks and street so there is no lip.

Milling where height matters

Every overlay raises the surface. On Pittsburgh's older streets and steep driveways, that extra height can create a step at the garage slab, block a door threshold, or cause water to run toward the house. Milling grinds off the top of the old asphalt in those areas, or across the whole surface, so the new layer ends at the right height. We check the transitions at the estimate and include milling where it is needed.

Resurfacing parking lots

For business lots, resurfacing is the standard mid-life treatment. HomeAdvisor puts typical lot resurfacing at every 15 to 20 years. Doing it in sections, or overnight and on weekends, keeps the business open. The lot is restriped after resurfacing so spaces and accessible parking are laid out correctly.

Timing

Overlays need dry pavement and warm enough weather that the thin new layer can be compacted before it cools. In the Pittsburgh area, that means late spring through early fall for most jobs.