Asphalt Milling

Understanding Asphalt Milling: A Guide for Southern California Businesses

For businesses and property managers in Southern California, maintaining a safe, smooth, and professional-looking parking lot or roadway is essential. While a full asphalt replacement might seem like the only option for a deteriorating surface, there’s a more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution: asphalt milling.

At Victory Paving, we believe in providing our clients with top-quality solutions built on integrity and excellence. As a leading, family-owned asphalt paving contractor in Southern California, we specialize in services that not only meet your needs but also exceed your expectations.

What is Asphalt Milling?

Asphalt milling, also known as cold planing or profiling, is the process of mechanically removing the top layer of an existing asphalt surface. This is done with a specialized milling machine, which uses a rotating drum to grind away a specified depth of pavement. The result is a clean, textured surface that is ready for a new layer of asphalt.

Unlike a complete “tear-out” of the entire pavement structure, milling leaves the existing sub-base intact. This is an advantage, as it preserves the strong foundation of your pavement while only addressing the deteriorated surface layer. The removed material, known as “millings” or “reclaimed asphalt pavement” (RAP), is then collected and can be recycled and reused in new asphalt mixes, making it a highly sustainable practice.

When is Asphalt Milling Used?

Asphalt milling is an ideal solution for a variety of pavement issues, including:

• Prepare for an overlay while keeping existing base structure intact.
• Correct drainage and ponding by re-establishing proper cross-slope and flow to inlets.
• Reset elevations at curbs, approaches, and ADA transitions so finished grades meet code.
• Remove surface defects such as ruts, shoving, raveling, and polished aggregates.
• Tie in new asphalt to older pavement cleanly at drive lanes, concrete pads, and entrances.
• Phase work with minimal disruption, keeping parts of your site open during construction.

When milling is not the fix: If your pavement has widespread base failure (deep alligator cracking, soft spots, excessive potholes), you’ll get better results with base repair, full-depth reclamation, or reconstruction. We’ll help you choose the right approach after a site walk.

The Benefits of Asphalt Milling

Choosing asphalt milling over a full replacement offers significant advantages:

1. Cost-Effective: By preserving the existing sub-base and reusing the milled material, milling projects are generally more affordable than a full reconstruction.
2. Environmentally Friendly: The process is highly sustainable, as it recycles existing materials and reduces the need for new raw materials, minimizing waste and conserving resources.
3. Faster Project Completion: Milling is a quick and efficient process, which means less disruption to your business or property.
4. Improved Safety and Durability: By removing dangerous surface flaws and creating a strong bond for the new asphalt, milling enhances the safety and longevity of your pavement.
5. No grade creep: Finished heights stay where they should—no “buried” curbs or tripping hazards.

Milling vs. other repair methods

• Milling + Overlay: Removes a set thickness, then installs fresh asphalt to restore smoothness, elevations, and life. Great for lots with solid base support.
• Overlay only (no milling): Fastest, but raises grades. Risky around curbs/doors and can trap drainage issues.
• Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR): Pulverizes asphalt and base together and stabilizes them—best for systemic base problems.
• Remove & Replace: Full demolition down to subgrade for severely failed areas or design changes.

Common milling options we provide

• Edge milling: Lowering along curbs, gutters, and door thresholds before overlay to maintain reveal and ADA transitions.
• Profile milling: Adjusting slopes to move water where it should go.
• Full-lane or full-lot milling: Resetting the entire surface for a fresh, uniform overlay.
• Micro-milling: Very shallow passes for fine texture and improved smoothness in select areas.

Typical removal depths: ⅜″ to 2″ for overlays; deeper passes for heavy ruts or grade corrections. We set depth to match your goals and the final lift thickness.

Victory Paving: Your Partner for Quality Paving

At Victory Paving, we combine our extensive expertise with a commitment to a seamless customer experience. We understand that every project is unique, and our team is ready to provide you with a detailed assessment and a customized plan for your asphalt milling needs. With our dedication to quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction, you can be confident that your project is in the best hands.

Contact us today to learn more about our asphalt milling services and how we can help you achieve a durable, safe, and professional-looking pavement.