Question: Why not replace cement sidewalks with black top? Saves money, easier to replace and repair....

[2aguy]

Thought about this as I was driving around, and noticed people jogging on a black top running path......why not replace local sidewalks with black top?

It would be much cheaper than cement.

It doesn't wear out as fast as cement. (right?)

It is easier to replace, and repair, especially if you have to remove the sidewalk for underground pipe or wire repair.

Anyone work for a public works department?

 

[rightwinger]

Concrete lasts longer

 

[2aguy]

Concrete lasts longer

It may, but black top on a sidewalk isn't the same as on a road, you wouldn't get near the wear and tear on the sidewalk.....and replacing and patching sections would be easier, faster and cost a lot less...right?

Black top on a road gets abused a lot more than a sidewalk would, especially with road salt.....

 

[Sunni Man]

In the very hot summers we have here in the south.
Black top sidewalks would eventually put a black oily film on the sole's of your shoes if you walked on it much. ...

 

[danielpalos]

I think concrete is more useful because it is harder and keeps it shape better for underground utilities, etc.

 

[my2¢]

That would be interesting. 144 days and counting of 100°+ temperatures so far this calendar year around here.

 

[Tax Man]

Asphalt is the cement that holds the rock together and portland cement is the binding agent in concrete. Asphalt does not become as solid as concrete.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

Concrete is way more durable.
Try putting your motorcycle kickstand down on hot asphalt. You're liable to come back to your bike and find it lying on the ground.
The solution,concrete,or a crushed beer can under your kickstand.

 

[Muhammed]

Asphalt is the cement that holds the rock together and portland cement is the binding agent in concrete. Asphalt does not become as solid as concrete.

In cement concrete, portland cement is the binding agent that cements the aggregate together via a chemical reaction.

In asphaltic concrete, asphalt is the binding agent that holds the aggregate together. In technical terms, Asphalt is a thick sticky smelly petroleum distillate black goo. A hot stinky mess.

 

[daveman]

In the very hot summers we have here in the south.
Black top sidewalks would eventually put a black oily film on the sole's of your shoes if you walked on it much. ...

Especially if it's fresh.

 

[Likkmee]

Ass fault is one step above the oil spreader trucks used around the great lakes area in the sixties on dirt/gravel roads. Slightly harder fucking garbage.It's like assholes that build houses out of glued together mulch"wood" and shingles

 

[Ben Thomson]

Thought about this as I was driving around, and noticed people jogging on a black top running path......why not replace local sidewalks with black top?

It would be much cheaper than cement.

It doesn't wear out as fast as cement. (right?)

It is easier to replace, and repair, especially if you have to remove the sidewalk for underground pipe or wire repair.

Anyone work for a public works department?

If where you live averages above 100 degree temperatures in the summer months there will be no walking on those sidewalks during the day.

 

[Muhammed]

It would be much cheaper than cement.

That depends on the price of the materials. Obviously, the price of crude oil, and therefore asphalt, is much more volatile than portland cement.

When oil is cheap, sometimes it may be cheaper to install a blacktop sidewalk, if local building codes or lack thereof allow it.

It doesn't wear out as fast as cement. (right?)

Wrong.

Generally, asphalt pavement is not even considered to be a permanent improvement. On our interstates we lay asphalt on top of concrete and call it a wear coat.

In most cities if you install an asphalt driveway your property taxes don't go up. If you install a concrete driveway, that's a permanent improvement, and therefore your taxes go up.

 

[Likkmee]

It would be much cheaper than cement.

That depends on the price of the materials. Obviously, the price of crude oil, and therefore asphalt is much more volatile than portland cement.

When oil is cheap, sometimes it may be cheaper to install a blacktop walkway, if local building codes allow it.

It doesn't wear out as fast as cement. (right?)

Wrong.
[/QUOTE]

 

[Muhammed]

In the very hot summers we have here in the south.
Black top sidewalks would eventually put a black oily film on the sole's of your shoes if you walked on it much. ...

... and then your shoes put it on whatever you step on right after that. Turns white carpet, tile or linoleum floors yellower than a chain smoker's teeth.

 

[2aguy]

Thanks everyone.....

 

[KissMy]

Blacktop is smoother than concrete with it's expansion joints. Smoother surface is much better for wheelchairs, scooters, hiking & biking paths. Surface could be painted white to reduce heat.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

Only good thing I can say about asphalt?
It's better than a dirt road.

 

[Muhammed]

Blacktop is smoother than concrete with it's expansion joints. Smoother surface is much better for wheelchairs, scooters, hiking & biking paths. Surface could be painted white to reduce heat.

I can make concrete as flat and smooth as a sheet of glass. You can literally see your mirror image in it.


That would be a really expensive sidewalk though. And very dangerously slippery when wet.

Not good for wheelchairs or scooters.

You want paths to have a rough texture for traction. But not too rough.

 

[Devils_Advocate]

Thought about this as I was driving around, and noticed people jogging on a black top running path......why not replace local sidewalks with black top?

It would be much cheaper than cement.

It doesn't wear out as fast as cement. (right?)

It is easier to replace, and repair, especially if you have to remove the sidewalk for underground pipe or wire repair.

Anyone work for a public works department?

If where you live averages above 100 degree temperatures in the summer months there will be no walking on those sidewalks during the day.

Or night!