Alpha Asphalt Tracy sees worn-out asphalt driveways across Tracy, CA all the time. When the surface is cracked and uneven but the base is still solid, asphalt milling is usually the answer. Around here in Tracy, where our summer temperatures bake pavement day after day, old asphalt takes a serious beating. Asphalt Milling strips off that top layer of damaged pavement so our team can lay down fresh, smooth material without starting completely from scratch.
Here is what the whole process actually looks like from start to finish for properties in Tracy.
The Timeline: How Long Does Milling Take?
Most residential Asphalt Milling jobs around Tracy are fast. If you are dealing with a standard residential driveway, the actual milling machine usually knocks out the old surface in just a few hours. A typical project goes something like this:
- Day one is prep and Asphalt Milling, where we grind down the top couple of inches and haul away the old debris.
- Day two usually involves sweeping, tack coating, and laying down the brand-new hot mix asphalt.
- You will need to stay off the new surface for a couple of days while it cools and cures completely.
What to Expect on Milling Day
Asphalt Milling is loud and it creates a lot of dust. If you live off MacArthur Drive or out near the older parts of town with tight property lines, you will want to move your vehicles out to the street the night before. Our crew rolls in with a heavy milling machine equipped with a rotating drum of carbide teeth. It chews up the top layer of asphalt right down to a stable grade. You will hear a steady roar, and you will see truckloads of reclaimed asphalt pavement heading out to be recycled.
Once the machine finishes, the surface looks rough and textured like corduroy. That texture is actually intentional because it gives the brand-new layer of asphalt something solid to grip onto.
How to Prepare Your Property
You do not have to do much, but a little prep makes Asphalt Milling go smoother. Turn off any automatic lawn sprinklers for the day of Asphalt Milling and paving because water on a fresh sub-base or hot asphalt causes problems. Clear out your garage if you need access to your vehicles, because you will not be driving in or out of the driveway for at least 48 hours once the paving starts. Let your neighbors know what is happening, especially if street parking is tight on your block in Tracy.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Before you hire anyone for the job, get straight answers to a few key questions. Alpha Asphalt Tracy always encourages homeowners in San Joaquin County to interview their contractors thoroughly:
- Are you hauling away the millings, or leaving them behind?
- What is your plan for drainage so water does not pool near the foundation?
- Do you own your milling equipment or are you renting it?
- Can you show me examples of recent residential Asphalt Milling projects you have done right here in San Joaquin County?
Getting these details nailed down upfront saves you from problems later. When Asphalt Milling is done right by Alpha Asphalt Tracy, the work gives you a brand-new driveway feel at a lower cost for homes in Tracy, California.