Learn what you need to consider when deciding whether to perform asphalt repair and maintenance yourself, or if you need to hire a contractor.

1. Do -It-Yourself
vs
Hiring a Contractor
Asphalt Repair & Maintenance:

2. 2. Causes of Asphalt
qqDamageOverview
3. Asphalt Repair &
qqMaintenance Tasks
4. Summary
1. Typical Pavement
qqStructure

3. Liquid Asphalt/Binder
Image Credit: HAPI

4. Aggregate/Crushed Rock
Image Credit: State Testing

5. Asphalt Plant

6. Image Credit: HAPI
Asphalt Pavement
aka
Asphalt Concrete

7. Image Credit: HAPI
Pavement Structure

8. Image Credit: HAPI
Pavement Structure

9. common causes of
asphalt damage
here in Hawaii.5
There are

10. UV Rays
1.

11. UV rays break down
the binder that holds
the rock, sand, &
aggregates together.

12. Oxidation
2.

13. Oxidation
The interaction between
oxygen molecules and all
the different substances
they may contact.

14. Oxidation
In general, oxygen molecules
cause asphalt molecules to
bond tighter, creating a stiffer,
more brittle pavement.

15. OXIDIZED ASPHALT
IS GRAY
NEW ASPHALT
IS BLACK

16. Water
3.

17. Image Credit: yaybiscuits123
If water is allowed to
penetrate into your base
through cracks, your asphalt
becomes more prone to
cracks and potholes.

18. Underground
drainage issues
can also cause
damage to your
base course.

19. Traffic Load
4.

20. Heavy vehicles like garbage trucks put enough
stress on your asphalt to cause cracks.

21. Poor compaction
can also cause
loading issues.

22. Oil Stains
5.

23. Oil stains eat away
and softens your
asphalt until the
pavement cannot
carry traffic load.

24. What to do?

25. Here’s 6 asphalt repair
& maintenance options

26. and we’ll compare DIY
options to hiring a pro.

27. Sealcoating
1.

28. A sealcoat acts as a barrier
to protect asphalt from
oxidation, UV rays, oils, water
penetration, & salts.

29. Before sealing your
asphalt, the surface
must be prepped.

30. Debris must be
removed from
the surface.

31. Vegetation must also be
removed from the asphalt.

32. Large areas that need prep can be a pain
unless you have special equipment.

33. Applying the
sealcoat yourself
is manageable
for small areas.

34. But imagine
applying a
sealcoat to a
large area.

35. Specialized equipment
can make the job easier.

36. Crack Fill
2.

37. Filling cracks in your
asphalt will prevent
water penetration.

38. There are two types
of crack fill:
COLD & HOT.

39. Image Credit: Home Depot
Cold crack fill is
relatively easy
to apply and
requires minimal
equipment.

40. Image Credit: Home Depot
DIY is a
possibility
depending on
lineal feet.

41. Hot crack fill is
more pliable than
cold crack fill and
will penetrate the
crack better.

42. It also sets
quicker– allowing
vehicles to drive
over sooner.

43. However, hot crack fill
must be heated to
300°F-400°F before
being applied.

44. Hiring a contractor may
be more convenient for
larger scopes of work.

45. Pothole Repair
3.

46. Repairing a
pothole will
prevent
additional water
from penetrating
your asphalt.

47. Pothole patches will
“plug” the hole.

48. But higher quality patches
will also prevent water
penetration into the asphalt.

49. Pothole patches are DIY and
provide temporary relief.

50. However, a pothole
is a result of a
base course failure.
Patches do not
address the
base course.
Image Credit: HAPI

51. A permanent
solution would
require hiring a
contractor.

52. The contractor
would melt/soften
the asphalt.

53. Then dig out the
asphalt.

54. And replace with
new asphalt.

55. And finally
recompact.

56. Remove Oil
Stains
4.

57. DIY oil stain
removers “suck”
up the oil from
the asphalt.

58. Apply, give time
to dry, then
scrub off.

59. However, drying
time can vary from
5 to 8 hours.

60. And the longer oil stains
go untreated, the more
difficult they are to remove.

61. Hiring a contractor can
expedite the process.

62. Using the same method as
permanently repairing a pothole.

63. 5.
Traffic Load

64. DIY- Move dumpsters near
your parking lot entrance to
prevent garbage trucks from
entering your parking lot.

65. Or you can hire a contractor to
install a concrete pad near your
dumpster to carry the load
of garbage trucks.

66. 6.Striping &
Marking

67. Using paint brushes
and rollers might be
easy enough if you
were touching up old
lines.

68. Stencils are
also useful for
DIYers.

69. But if you’re starting from
scratch, that’s when
hiring a contractor may
be helpful.

70. Striping straight lines
with a brush or roller
can be difficult…

71. Striping straight lines
with a brush or roller
can be difficult…
…and may not look
as professional.

72. Applying straight lines
using a striping machine is
easier than using a brush.

73. Also, you need to make sure you
are following ADA parking lot
guidelines.

74. For example,
you need the
appropriate
amount of
Accessible Parking
Spaces.

75. And you need the
correct signage.

76. In large scopes of work,
hiring a contractor would
be beneficial.

77. In summary:

78. DIY Hiring a Contractor
Sealcoating - Small driveways - Large projects
Crack Fill - Cold Crack Fill - Hot Crack Fill
Pothole Repair - Various Patches - Repair Base Course
Oil Stain Removal
- Various Stain
Removers
- Repair Surface
Traffic Load
- Move Garbage
Containers
- Install Concrete Pad
Striping & Marking - Touching up old lines - Restripe

79. Any questions?

80. Mahalo!

81. Mahalo!
Feel free to contact me:
Cole Millare
GP Maintenance Solutions
808-275-5292
CMillare@GPRoadwaySolutions.com
BOOTH #336