Asphalt Resurfacing in Biloxi, MS

Asphalt resurfacing, also called an overlay, places a new layer of hot-mix asphalt on top of existing pavement. For a driveway or parking lot that has turned gray, rough and covered with fine cracks but is still firmly supported, it is often the most economical way to get a smooth, dark surface again. HomeGuide puts driveway resurfacing at about $3 to $7 per square foot and says an overlay typically saves 20 to 30 percent compared with full replacement. The catch: an overlay only lasts if the pavement under it is sound.

Checking the base first

The new layer bonds to the old one and moves with it. If the old asphalt sits on firm stone, the overlay has a solid platform. If the base has gone soft, the cracks below reflect up through the new layer, often within a year or two. On low, wet ground, base problems are common, so before we recommend an overlay we look for:

• Alligator cracking, which points to base failure
• Ruts or dips where water stands after rain
• Areas that move under a vehicle
• Broken or undercut edges

Small failed areas can be cut out and rebuilt before the overlay. If failures are widespread, replacement is the better investment, and we will tell you that.

How the overlay goes down

We clean the surface, patch failed areas and seal the larger cracks. Where the new layer meets a garage slab, a sidewalk or the street, we mill or saw-cut a joint so the new asphalt tapers in without a lip. A tack coat goes down so the layers bond, then the new asphalt is placed and rolled. HomeGuide's repair guide describes a 1.5 to 2 inch top layer for driveway resurfacing.

Finished height and flooding

Every overlay raises the surface. On flat coastal lots, an extra inch or two can change where water goes. It can push runoff toward a garage door, bring the pavement level with a threshold, or change how a lot drains into its inlets. We check those spots at the estimate and plan joints and slopes so the finished surface still drains the right way. On lots with curbs and inlets, milling the old surface first keeps the curb height the same.

Timing

Overlays need warm, dry pavement to bond and compact well. Biloxi's mild winters allow a long season; the main thing we plan around is rain.

Commercial lots

Parking lots are usually resurfaced in sections so the business can stay open, then sealed and restriped. Restriping a lot means accessible spaces must meet the 2010 ADA Standards, so we lay those out at the same time.