Types of Asphalt

Large potholes can ruin anyone’s day. Not only are they a nuisance to your car (and your alignment), but they also create a safety hazard for pedestrians. Whether you need to clear up a pothole in a street, a driveway, or a parking lot, asphalt is the material that you will need in order to smooth your way.

When working with asphalt, it is important to know the different varieties that are available. There are three main types of asphalt: Hot Asphalt, MC Cold Mix, and UPM. There are also different varieties of these asphalts for summer and winter use. Below is a brief overview of each type of asphalt.

Hot Asphalt is the type of asphalt that you mostly see when driving past a construction crew. Use mostly for paving and patching, Hot Asphalt, as its name suggest, is easiest to work with when the temperature of the asphalt is high. Hot Asphalt is a permanent solution to a problem, but must be used almost immediately after purchasing. As the asphalt cools, it becomes increasingly difficult to work with, and once completely cool, it hardens like a rock.

MC Cold Mix is asphalt that can be used as a temporary fix. Since the asphalt is used at cold temperatures, it is slow to cure and best used in areas that have little to no traffic.

UPM is also a cold mix asphalt, but unlike MC Cold Mix, it can be used as a permanent fix to any asphalt or concrete problem, Designed to work in any weather condition, UPM can be used to fix both wet and dry holes, allowing you to make any repair in any situation. Once that asphalt has been compacted, it is immediately ready to be tread upon. Learn more about the benefits of UPM.

These three different types of asphalt offer good solutions to asphalt problems that you might have in your home or business. By knowing the differences, you can make sure you pick the right one for your situation.