It is no secret that contractors in every construction industry sometimes use terms that the average person rarely hears. However, asphalt contractors can also use words that most people know, but they might not fully understand within the context of the paving industry. Two of these words are milling & reclamation.

What Is Asphalt Milling?

Asphalt milling involves the use of a milling machine to grind away a specific, predetermined depth of an existing pavement. A milling machine is a specialized piece of equipment that has a rotating drum fitted with rows of metal teeth to cut through the pavement. The material is then transferred via a conveyor belt to a truck positioned near the machine. Typically, the truck takes the material to either a temporary on-site stockpile or an asphalt plant for recycling. Milling machines can have an effective working width of slightly more than a foot to over 14 feet. Although most jobs require a removal depth of less than two inches, some Birminham asphalt milling machines can remove as much as 14 inches per pass.

What Is Asphalt Reclamation in Birmingham?

Full-depth reclamation, which is sometimes referred to as soil stabilization, involves using a milling machine to recycle or replace asphalt pavements that have failed. Some asphalt professionals also refer to reclamation in Birminghom as rubbilizing the pavement.

What Are the Common Uses for Milling & Reclamation?

Although both procedures employ a cutting machine to remove asphalt pavement, they are commonly used for different applications.

1. Asphalt milling is frequently used to remove less than three inches of a pavement to prepare it for resurfacing. Birmingham asphalt milling can also be a cost-effective way to install rumble strips, adjust a pavement’s slope to improve drainage, or eliminate surface bumps or birdbaths. In some cases, asphalt milling can repair pavements that have been damaged by fires or accidents.
2. Full-depth reclamation is more commonly used when there is a problem with the pavement’s base or the underlying soil that makes resurfacing infeasible. The existing pavement and its base are pulverized, water and cement are added, and the resulting mix is installed and compacted to create a new base on which to construct a new pavement.

What Are the Advantages of Milling & Reclamation?

The numerous advantages of Birmingham asphalt milling and full-depth reclamation typically involve speed, cost, or structural improvements.

1. Speed: Birmingham asphalt milling and reclamation can both be fast ways to remove existing asphalt paving. The overall project can be completed in less time, which reduces the inconvenience to everyone who needs access to the pavement. Furthermore, a milled pavement can be reopened to traffic as soon as the operation ends.
2. Cost: Reclamation in Birmingham normally costs 25% to 50% less than fully removing and replacing the existing pavement. Because the reclamation process recycles the material on-site, there is little or no need to haul away the rubblized material or bring in new base materials. Actual costs for asphalt milling and overlaying can vary, but resurfacing an asphalt pavement is often half the price of removing and replacing it.
3. Structural Improvements: Asphalt reclamation in Birmingham is often used to improve the structural integrity of a pavement. For example, the specifications used to construct an asphalt parking lot were based on the expectation that only lightweight passenger cars would have access. However, the parking lot began allowing 18-wheelers or other heavy vehicles to use the pavement. Both the base and the depth of the asphalt pavement are insufficient to support the heavier loads that the parking lot must now support, so it incurs damage. Full-depth reclamation gives contractors the opportunity to install a stronger, more stable base as well as thicker asphalt courses.

Are There Additional Benefits That Birmingham Asphalt Milling and Reclamation Can Provide?

There are a few benefits that are not directly related to speed, cost, or structural improvements.

1. Asphalt milling allows curbs, drainage grates, and other features to be retained at their original heights.
2. As long as the base remains structurally sound, the same pavement can be milled and resurfaced as often as necessary.
3. Full-depth reclamation can reduce the likelihood of reflective cracking.
4. The new base installed during asphalt reclamation in Birmingham can be made more resistant to frost heave and water infiltration.
5. Reclamation allows contractors to address many subterranean drainage issues that could be causing damage to the pavement.

If you are interested in learning more about milling and reclamation in Birmingham, contact The Surface Masters. We have earned a reputation for delivering superior results and outstanding service in a professional manner at competitive rates. In addition to asphalt milling and reclamation, we offer asphalt paving and resurfacing, sealcoating, asphalt repairs, crack sealing, pavement markings, and concrete work. We offer free job quotes with no strings attached, so fill out our online form to request yours today. If you prefer, you can call our office at 470-557-8985.