Cold-mix asphalt is a quick fix for potholes and small cracks that can be used when hot-mix asphalt (HMA) can’t. It doesn’t require heating and can be applied immediately in bags.
CMA offers several practical benefits to help make it a valuable part of any road maintenance strategy. This section explores its strengths and limitations to highlight the best situations for its use.
Cost-Effective
Using cold-mixed asphalt like EZ Street Asphalt for pothole repairs is cost-effective. This is because it can be stored and applied at cooler temperatures than other pavement materials that must be kept hot and require specialized equipment.
Frequent road and parking lot potholes can cause traffic congestion and safety concerns for drivers. Repairing these problems quickly helps to improve safety and reduce congestion.
Cold asphalt can be a cost-effective solution with suitable patching material and procedures. It can also prevent more damage from forming and may even require less frequent repairs.
Compared to traditional hot mix asphalt, CMA has a lower environmental impact. It produces lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and uses eco-friendly binder systems, making it a more sustainable option. Additionally, the less energy required to produce and apply CMA can save transportation costs and fuel usage. This helps lower operating costs while contributing to lower carbon footprints and supporting green initiatives.
Versatile
Like many types of pavement, cold mix asphalt (CMA) is a mixture of aggregates, bitumen, oils, and binders. However, unlike HMA, which must be combined and applied while hot, CMA can work in a broader range of temperatures, reducing energy requirements for production and application.
This versatility allows CMA to work in situations where other materials cannot. For example, some locations require that road repairs be completed in the winter and early spring when it is impossible to heat or apply hot-mix asphalt.
For these areas, CMA is the perfect solution. Its flexibility means less frequent repairs are required, reducing ongoing costs and traffic disruptions. In addition, its lower environmental impact supports green initiatives and can reduce carbon taxes and compliance costs. Improvements in construction techniques and materials also reduce utility cut repair costs with a one-step CMA instead of the current two-process method, which requires a temporary repair with a cold mix followed by a permanent hot-mix patch.
Long-Lasting
Cold mix asphalt is a temporary solution for pothole repairs, especially in wintertime when temperatures drop. However, with suitable materials and compaction methods, a patch job using this material can last until weather conditions allow for a more permanent solution.
Hot-mix asphalt requires more extensive preparation and equipment, but it offers more excellent durability than cold-mix asphalt for a more extended period. It may initially cost more than cold mix asphalt for both material and labor costs, but the long-term savings in energy, maintenance, and repair costs can offset these upfront costs.
The versatility of CMA makes it a valuable asset for many road repair and construction needs. By saving on production, application, and energy costs while reducing the risk of accidents at work sites and minimizing traffic disruptions, it’s no wonder that CMA is becoming increasingly popular as an effective alternative to traditional hot-mix asphalt. CMA is also weather-resistant, allowing it to be used in various climates without heating equipment or delays.
Eco-Friendly
In addition to the cost-effectiveness of using CMA, its production and application are environmentally friendly. It can be used year-round and doesn’t require heated trucks, reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. It can also be incorporated with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) to reduce the need for virgin materials.
Using CMA for pothole repairs reduces the frequency of future repairs, saving on maintenance costs. It can also address underlying problems, such as drainage and soil compaction issues, reducing pothole occurrence.
In addition, using CMA for utility cut repair can eliminate the need for a two-step process of installing a temporary cold mix and then a permanent hot mix. This can significantly decrease labor and material costs, traffic disruptions, and unnecessary maintenance tasks like excessive digging and street closures.
