What cold planing is
A milling machine grinds away the top of the pavement, anywhere from a fraction of an inch to several inches, and loads the millings straight into trucks. Cracks, ruts and uneven spots go with it.
Because only the damaged layer comes off, you keep your existing base, your curb heights and your drainage slopes. New asphalt then bonds to a clean, textured surface.
Why Oahu Asphalt
- Precise depth control
- Automatic grade and slope controls keep the cut uniform and the transitions smooth.
- Costs less than full removal
- You only replace the layer that has failed.
- Recycled material
- Millings are hauled to be recycled into new asphalt instead of going to a landfill.
- Keeps grades and drainage
- Doors, curbs, gutters and drains still line up when the new surface goes on.
What the work includes
- Site preparation
- Mark milling limits and control lines, verify grades and slopes, and set up traffic control.
- Milling
- Mill to the specified depth, typically 1 to 4 inches, while protecting the base, concrete and utility structures.
- Material handling
- Load millings directly into trucks and haul to an approved recycling facility, keeping haul routes clean.
- Cleanup
- Sweep the milled surface and adjust or protect utilities so everything matches final grade.
How it goes
Inspect and plan
We assess the pavement to set milling depth and approach.
Mill the surface
The target layer is removed evenly.
Haul and recycle
Removed asphalt is collected for reuse.
Clean
The milled area is swept and prepped.
Overlay
Tack coat and a new layer of hot mix finish the job.
Recent cold planing projects
Cold Planing questions
Why mill instead of paving over the top?
Milling removes ruts, cracks and aged asphalt so the overlay bonds well, and it keeps the finished surface from ending up higher than your curbs, drains and doorways.
How deep do you mill?
Typically 1 to 4 inches for an overlay, and deeper for a full rehabilitation.
What happens to the old asphalt?
It becomes RAP, reclaimed asphalt pavement, which is recycled into new mixes.
How does milling compare with full replacement?
It costs less, takes less time, disrupts the property less and keeps your existing grades and drainage.
Can cars drive on a milled surface?
Yes, for a short time. It is rough, so it is normally only open briefly before paving.
Does milling damage the base?
Not when it is done correctly. Only the target thickness of asphalt is removed.
How long does it take?
A crew can typically mill several thousand square yards a day, depending on depth, site size and traffic control.
Where we work
We provide cold planing across Oahu, including Honolulu, Kapolei, Ewa Beach, Pearl City, Aiea, Kaneohe, Kailua, Mililani, Wahiawa, North Shore and everywhere in between.