How much do you know about asphalt? Did you know that “asphalt” is actually the viscous substance used to hold together gravel, which is pushed towards the surface of the asphalt when it’s compressed?
Asphalt is everywhere we go, from the front of our homes to the parking lot at the store to the highway on the way to work. While asphalt is all around us, most people don’t know a lot about it. Even if you’re an asphalt technician, there may still be a few things that you didn’t know about asphalt! Here are a few things we’re willing to bet you didn’t know about the black pavement we see every day.
On the Forefront of Recycling
Did you know that pavement is America’s most recycled product? According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association, asphalt is being recycled and reused at a rate over 99%! In 2010, the recycling of asphalt pavement and shingles conserved 20.5 million barrels of asphalt binder. The more we recycle and reuse asphalt, the less new asphalt we have to create, which is good for roads and great for the environment!
Asphalt is Everywhere
There are over 2.27 million miles of paved roads in the United States. Of these roads, 94% are paved with asphalt, which includes 65% of highways.
A Long History
We’ve discussed how asphalt was first used by the Romans to seal buildings. The first time it was used to cover roads was in 1824, when Parisians created bricks out of asphalt and paved a road with the asphalt blocks on the Champs-Élysées.
What’s in a Name?
Asphalt gets its name from the black, sticky liquid that is used as a binding agent, which is also known as bitumen. Bitumen is mixed with mineral aggregate and then laid and compacted on a subgrade of crushed stones, which create the hard surface that we walk and drive upon.
Easy Care
Asphalt experiences only a 40% drop in condition quality during the first 75% of a pavement’s life! This means that asphalt maintains it’s quality for the majority of the life of the asphalt. It’s also easier to extend the life of asphalt by doing preventative maintenance during the first 75% of the life of the asphalt.
Learn About Asphalt With Reliable Contracting
Reliable is dedicated to delivering quality products, displaying professionalism within the firm, seeking new opportunities for expansion and profitability, and providing an environment for individual success. If you have a commercial or residential construction project that you need taken care of, please contact Anne Arundel County’s largest site-work contractor today by calling 410-987-0313 or visiting our website. You can also follow Reliable Contracting on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Reliable Contracting Company serves the following and surrounding counties: Annapolis, Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Howard, Prince George, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington D.C.