JOIN OUR TEAM REQUEST A QUOTE MENU SEARCH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Home > About > FAQ MISSION HISTORY ARTICLES F.A.Q. FAQ’s About the Asphalt Pavement Industry: What is the minimum temperature for paving? Generally speaking, it is most desirable to have a ground temperature of at least 50 degrees and rising or as required by the project specifications. Other factors affecting the final product include sunshine, wind, precipitation and material type. What is the asphalt index? The volatility in cost for oil and oil related products is well known.Thus, the asphalt index was created to provide a benchmark for material pricing on any project at the time of quotation and is used to calculate an adjustment in the cost for materials at the time of construction. The index is a third party calculation based on the average posted price of the liquid asphalt and is typically generated on a monthly basis by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in the state of which the project resides. The asphalt index provides equal benefit for both the consumer and contractor by eliminating material cost speculation when the contractor quotes a project. Otherwise, the material supplier and contractor may inflate their pricing respectively to cover the unknown cost inflation (or deflation) for materials when quoting projects scheduled to be completed in the more distant future. How long will my new asphalt surface last? Under normal conditions asphalt pavement should last about 10 – 20 years. Pavement life can vary greatly depending on climate, base conditions, amount and type of traffic and pavement maintenance. How soon can I use my newly paved surface? We understand that it is not always possible, but, we recommend staying off the new pavement until the surface temperature reaches the ambient air temperature. In the heat of the summer, the surface may experience some blemishes due to use of a vehicle’s power steering while not moving. These are only surface blemishes and do not affect the structural integrity. The blemishes will “work in” with time. How often should I apply an asphalt sealer to my new pavement? Your new surface should be left to go through a winter before applying an asphalt sealer. Thereafter, apply a coat of sealer every 2 – 4 years depending on wear. If the previous application is not showing signs of wear, excessive build-up can cause shrinkage, cracking and cause the surface to become slippery. What is the difference between the various asphalt pavement layers? The base and binder courses of pavement are engineered using larger aggregate and thus provide the structural component of the pavement section. These courses are generally applied in thicker lifts than the top or surface courses. While adding some strength, the top or surface course is made with smaller aggregate and sand. This course primarily acts as a wearing surface while inhibiting the penetration of water through the surface. FAQ’s About Ruston Paving: Where does the light blue color come from? In the 1960’s the company purchased its first 10-wheel dump truck which happened to be light blue in color. Soon after, the company purchased a second truck that was red. It was then that the decision was made to paint it “Ruston Blue” as a way to differentiate us from other contractors. Where is Ruston Paving’s corporate office? Although officially incorporated in the state of New York, Ruston Paving’s corporate level management is spread amongst all of its divisions. This allows each location to run independently as a smaller operation while benefiting from the resources of a larger organization. How many employees does Ruston Paving have? Each operating location ranges from 25 – 40 employees for a total of approximately 150 – 175 employees. Does Ruston Paving screen its employees? Ruston Paving has a substance free workplace policy. Employees are required to pass drug and alcohol testing. Ruston Paving also runs criminal and background checks for every new employee. Can Ruston Paving meet my project’s insurance requirements? Ruston Paving has extensive coverage under its standard commercial insurance policies. Through our longstanding relationships with our insurers, a project specific insurance certificate illustrating your required coverage is available for all clients. Does Ruston Paving have a good safety record? Ruston Paving’s Experience Modification Rate (EMR) has consistently been below 0.75 indicating that we are well below the industry average for worker’s compensation claims. Can Ruston Paving meet the bonding requirements of my project? Not all projects require a bond. However, Ruston Paving can meet virtually any bonding requirement through the backing of our highly ranked long term surety provider. What kind of warranty is provided? An industry standard, one year warranty for labor and material is provided on all projects. We stand behind our work to meet the satisfaction of our clients. Will Ruston Paving do work on projects outside its “normal” service area? We are dedicated to our clients needs. From time to time, we will complete projects for customers outside of our “normal” service area. These projects depend on the scope and amount of work that we are asked to perform. Does Ruston Paving provide free estimates? Our qualified project managers and estimators are always available to provide a free estimate no matter how large or small your project may be. Click here for a free estimate. Does Ruston Paving do pothole filling and small repairs? For commercial and industrial projects, Ruston Paving is able to provide its services no matter how large or small the job may be. Does Ruston Paving do residential driveway work? Ruston Paving focuses on the needs of commercial and industrial clients and does not normally provide residential services. Does Ruston Paving provide financing for projects? Payment is due upon completion of the work. If required, financing of your projects is best handled through a third party lending institution. Does Ruston Paving own or lease its equipment? Ruston Paving owns over 400 pieces of equipment spread among the divisions. At times, the company will rent or lease equipment as required for a special purpose or to supplement its fleet as workload demands. Does Ruston Paving make its own hot mix asphalt? No. Ruston Paving is committed to purchasing all of our materials from local producers within the boundaries of our service areas. Does Ruston Paving recycle old asphalt? The asphalt we purchase for your new asphalt surface typically contains a blend of new aggregate as well as that of recycled asphalt product (RAP). RAP is generated when deteriorated asphalt surfaces are milled down to create room for a new asphalt pavement section. We also have the machinery and ability to reclaim your existing pavement in place (also known as cold in-place recycling) and utilize the recycled product as a base course under the new asphalt pavement section. FAQ’s About Your Project: How will I maintain business as usual during construction? Depending on the project layout, we can usually accommodate vehicle and pedestrian traffic by phasing the area of disturbance and maintaining access to an active business. In extreme situations, we can schedule the most intrusive part of our work during off hours such as nights or weekends. How long will my project take to complete? The length of time to complete a project depends on the size and scope of the work involved. We excel in our ability to accommodate the needs of our clients by providing crews and equipment as required to meet even the most demanding schedules. If the need arises, we have the ability to utilize resources from our other divisions to adequately provide for your project. How do I know my project is being constructed properly? Ruston Paving has been in business for over 75 years. We have accomplished this by providing “a quality product in a timely fashion, at competitive prices.” Our experienced project managers all have educational backgrounds in engineering, construction management and/or landscape architecture. Our labor force undergoes regular periodic training and has many years of experience in our industry. How do I know I have chosen the “right” contractor? The most reliable and unbiased way to check an asphalt pavement and site work contractor’s reputation and strength is to contact the local aggregate and asphalt material producers. The contractors that the producer recommends will be those who frequently purchase the product (evidence of a good reputation) and consistently maintain the best payment history (evidence of financial strength). What does “apples to apples” mean? “Apples to apples” is a term used when making a comparison between multiple quotes or proposals. If the scope of one proposal matches up with another, then it is referred to as being “apples to apples”. If the scope does not align, it is sometimes referred to as “apples to oranges”. It is imperative that when comparing prices, the services and materials provided (scope of work) are equally considered. For Unanswered Questions: Contact us at FAQ@RustonPaving.com and we will send you an answer by email. Thank you for your interest. ABOUT SERVICES RECYCLING DIVISIONS PROJECTS EMPLOYMENT NEWS Established in 1943, Ruston Paving is a commercial and industrial asphalt paving and site work contractor providing both the new construction and repair of asphalt pavement surfaces including parking lots and roadways. Copyright © 2021 Ruston Paving. All rights reserved. WordPress Development + Internet Marketing by TheeDigital