Driveway Paving Glossary Grand Rapids MI

The following was sourced from drivewaytips.com.

Asphalt Grinding - Is used to remove damaged asphalt or to prepare an existing surface for an overlay. The ground asphalt makes an excellent base material. It can also be recycled into new asphalt.

Asphalt Pulverizing - Pulverizing is the process of breaking up your existing asphalt into a gravel, and blend this "new" gravel with your existing base which is compacted, graded, compacted again, at which time it is ready for paving. Pulverizing is a very cost effective way to reconstruct your existing pavement. This process eliminates the expensive excavation and trucking of your existing asphalt, and as a significant bonus, adds to your base aggregate thickness, thereby giving you a stronger base than what had existed previously.

Asphalt resurfacing - The process of placing more asphalt over the existing asphalt or concrete. Sometimes called an asphalt overlay.

Ballast - A layer of coarse stone, gravel, slag, etc., over which concrete is placed.

Base - A prepared gravel foundation for masonry, concrete, brick, pavers or asphalt applications.

Bituminous Pavement - Bituminous pavements are made with by-products of petroleum, such as asphalt. Weather and seasonal changes can cause roadways and the earth below them to rise or fall slightly. As these natural shifts occur, bituminous pavements allow the road surface to bend or flex slightly without breaking.
Bituminous material softens when heated and can be prepared and applied in a wide range of concentrations. Thin layers of bituminous material are sometimes applied with a pressure sprayer to the base course or the top course. The bituminous material seeps into the crushed rock and penetrates the tiny spaces between the compacted rocks, binding the aggregate together. To provide traction for moving traffic, a thin layer of aggregate may then be spread over the bituminous material and compacted.

Blanket - Insulation used for protecting fresh concrete during curing.

Calcium chloride - An additive used in ready mix to accelerate the curing, usually used during damp conditions.

Casting - Pouring a liquid material, or slurry, like concrete, into a mold to form a physical form it will take on as it solidifies.

Cement - A building material made by grinding calcite limestone and clay to a fine powder which can be mixed with water and poured to set as a solid mass. Also used in making mortar or concrete.

Coal Tar - Coal tar is a common ingredient used in the production of pavement sealer due to chemical and UV resistance properties.

Coal Tar Emulsion - A pavement sealer consisting of coal tar, water, emulsifiers, and filler designed to protect and beautify asphalt pavement. Coal tar also provides oil and gasoline resistance.