724 N. Mercer Street | Decatur, IL 62522




Asphalt Paving

Q. What is asphalt and why should I consider it for my roadway project?

A. Asphalt is a petroleum based product used for driveways, roads, cart/walking paths and any project that requires a smooth surface for foot traffic or motorized vehicles. Asphalt is flexible and “gives” during the harsh weather conditions experienced in our area. It is easily and inexpensively maintained and is aesthetically pleasing.


Q. How much does asphalt cost?

A. The price for asphalt varies depending on the size of the project. The cost for your project also depends on the amount of base preparation work needed.


Q. How long does asphalt pavement last?

A. Generally speaking, asphalt pavement should last about 20 years. Pavement life can vary greatly depending on base conditions, traffic, type of traffic and maintenance.


Q. How long do I need to stay off a newly paved asphalt surface?

A. For a newly paved roadway, asphalt can be driven on as soon as the rolling is completed. However, for parking areas we recommend waiting 24 hours for the asphalt to cool completely before driving on it.


Q. What is the standard thickness for asphalt pavement?

A. The standard for pavement design in this area is 6 inches of aggregate base course and 2 inches of compacted asphalt. Standards may vary based on the amount and type of traffic that will be utilizing the pavement.


Q. What maintenance do I need to do to my asphalt?

A. For asphalt parking lots and driveways, we usually recommend sealing new asphalt within the first year and crack filling annually to prevent moisture from reaching the base material. We do not recommend sealing asphalt streets because of the constant traffic.


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Pavement Maintenance

Q. How do I maintain my new asphalt driveway/parking lot?

A. Preventative maintenance includes crackfilling and sealing. Both should be done on an as-needed basis.


Q. What are the benefits of sealing my driveway/parking lot?

A. If applied properly, sealing benefits the pavement in many ways. It renews the dark appearance of faded asphalt, making it look and wear like new. It also protects the pavement from water penetration, gas and oil spills and the ultraviolet rays of the sun—all of which can rapidly deteriorate an asphalt surface. 


Q. What is sealer and how is it applied? 

A. Asphalt sealer is a water based surface treatment used to protect an existing asphalt surface. It can be applied by hand or with a spray unit. Dunn Company recommends the initial application be done by hand, with every application thereafter applied with a spray unit if practical.


Q. When should I seal my newly paved driveway/parking lot and how often should it be done? 

A. We recommend the initial application be done the following year after paving. After the initial application, your driveway/parking lot should be sealed every 2 to 3 years depending on personal preference.


Q. What should I do when my asphalt driveway/parking lot cracks? 

A. Crackfilling is part of the preventative maintenance required for asphalt surfaces. It should be done prior to or in conjunction with sealing.


Q. What causes potholes and how do I fix them?

A. Most potholes are caused by improper drainage or lack of base material. They can be temporarily fixed with a cold patch material. Permanent patching is available and may require extensive work. Please call for an estimate.


Q. How much will it cost to have my driveway/parking lot sealed professionally? 

A. The cost of sealing a driveway depends on the amount of labor and material required to furnish and apply the sealer.


Q. Can I seal my driveway/parking lot myself?

A. Yes, but it is a very labor intensive project. The materials needed to seal your driveway/parking lot can be purchased at our office.


Q. How long should I stay off a newly sealed surface?

A. We recommend staying off the asphalt surface for a minimum of 24 hours. Weather conditions greatly affect the amount of cure time. The sealer is brown when applied and black when dry. Once the sealer is dry, it can be walked on.


Q. Will Dunn Company block my driveway/parking lot after services are completed?

A. Yes, we will block off the driveway/parking lot when we are done. You can open your drive to traffic the following day.


Q. What if it rains after my drive has been sealed?

A. Once the sealer is dry, rain will not affect it. If it is not dry, the sealer will simply wash away and will need to be reapplied.


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Oil & Chip 

Q. How soon can I drive on a new oil and chip application?

A. Once the aggregate has been applied and rolled, it is fine to drive on it. However, care should be taken to avoid quick starts and stops and sharp turning. Parking for long periods should be avoided for at least 24 hours.


Q. What should I do if I get road oil on my vehicle?

A. Automotive stores sell products which safely remove road oil from vehicles. The sooner it is removed the easier it will be to remove. When removing road oil, you should avoid being in direct sunlight.


Q. Can an oil and chip surface be applied to an existing asphalt or concrete surface?

A. Yes. An oil and chip can be applied to asphalt and concrete; however an oil and chip surface does not increase the structural capacity and will not improve the smoothness of the underlying surface.


Q. How often should an existing oil and chip surface be recoated?

A. Generally, a new application should be applied every 3 to 4 years. With severe traffic conditions it may be required more often.


Q. Can an asphalt surface be applied over an oil and chip surface?

A. Yes. An oil and chip surface can be overlaid with asphalt if the surface has a sound base and there will be adequate drainage on the asphalt surface.


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Asphalt Tracks, Paths and Courts

Q. How often should an asphalt basketball court be seal coated?

A. Depending on usage, typically, a private court is resurfaced every 7 to 10 years. A court used by the general public may need resurfacing every 5 to 7 years.


Q. What colors are available for a sport surface?

A. There are 3 standard colors—2 shades of green plus red. Almost any custom color can be created, but this usually adds considerably to the cost of the project.


Q. Can you fix the puddles and cracks in a tennis court or basketball court?

A. Most cracks and puddles that interfere with the enjoyment of your sport surface can be fixed. We will give you a complete evaluation of the condition of your court and recommendations on how to correct any problems.


Q. Do you do striping for tracks, tennis courts and basketball courts?

A. Yes. 


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Rotomilling and Trimming 

Q. What can a rotomill be used for other than milling streets?

A. Rotomill machines are commonly used to excavate and grade areas without using additional equipment. Rotomills also are used to core out mainline pavement, gravel shoulders and golf cart paths.


Q. What does it take to complete a rotomilling project?

A. Typically, a rotomill uses one or two operators and needs 200-1,000 gallons of water every hour and a half. The crew also needs trucks to haul material away and traffic control.


Q. How deep can the rotomill cut in one pass?

A. Most of our fleet can cut up to 12 inches deep in one pass. 


Q. How fast can a rotomill load a truck?

A. Depending on size of the truck and the rotomill, most tandem trucks are loaded in 45 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the material being milled and the depth of the cut.


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Soil Modification and Base Stabilization 

Q. What types of stabilization does Dunn Company perform?

A. Dunn Company uses Soil Modification and Soil Stabilization, depending on the project needs. Both processes typically utilize the in-situ soils mixed with a choice of lime, cement, fly ash or a combination of these materials.


Q. When is soil modification used on a project?

A. Soil modification is used to enhance the onsite soil characteristics to aid the contractor in constructing a working platform for the construction of building pads and paved areas. Modified soils are not considered part of a pavement design or a permanent structure.


Q. When is soil stabilization used?

A. Soil Stabilization is used to enhance either onsite or imported soil. Classifying soils as stabilized requires a mix design prior to the start of the project. Stabilized soils become part of the pavement design and are permanent.


Q. What is Full Depth Reclamation?

A. FDR utilizes existing asphalt pavements, oil and chip surfaces, rock bases or a combination of these surfaces to stabilize an area. Dunn Company uses liquid asphalt, asphalt emulsions, Ty 1 Portland cement and fly ash for Full Depth Reclamation Projects. All Full Depth Reclamation Projects require prior exploration of existing material to be reclaimed and a full mix design to decide which additive and percentage of additive is required to stabilize the area. Lab and field verification are typical for this type of construction.


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