--- title: How is the Asphalt Milling Process Done? description: Asphalt milling grinds down the top layer of asphalt, recycles it, and prepares the base for fresh asphalt. image: https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/hubfs/Park%20milling.png --- [(740) 224-2416](tel:7402442416) - [Blog](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/) - [About Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/about-us/) - [Contact Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/contact/) - [Resources](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/resources/) - [Past Projects](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/past-projects/) - [Prayer Request](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/prayer-request/) - [Bible Request](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/bible-request/) [![Park Enterprise Construction Company](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/hubfs/ParkEnterprise_December2018%20Theme/Images/Park-Logo.png "Park Enterprise Construction Company")](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com) - [Asphalt Paving](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/asphalt-paving/) - [Site Development](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/site-development/) - [Subdivisions](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/subdivisions/) - [Underground Utilities](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/underground-utilities/) - [Request a Quote](https://info.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/rfq) - [Asphalt Paving](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/asphalt-paving/) - [Site Development](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/site-development/) - [Subdivisions](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/subdivisions/) - [Underground Utilities](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/underground-utilities/) - [Request a Quote](https://info.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/rfq) - [(740) 224-2416](tel:7402442416) - [Blog](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/) - [About Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/about-us/) - [Contact Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/contact/) - [Resources](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/resources/) - [Past Projects](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/past-projects/) - [Prayer Request](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/prayer-request/) - [Bible Request](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/bible-request/) # Commercial Construction & Contracting Resources ## How is the Asphalt Milling Process Done? Posted by [Tom Owings](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/author/tom-owings) on November 20, 2017 ![Tom Owings](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/hubfs/logo.png) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Park Enterprise Construction asphalt milling](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Park%20milling.png?width=644&name=Park%20milling.png "Park Enterprise Construction asphalt milling") Eventually, you can no longer continue adding new asphalt overlays to a driving surface. ### **What is Asphalt Milling? ** Asphalt milling, also known as cold planing, removes the top layer to pave again with a clean slate. It’s necessary for replacing all kinds of asphalt infrastructure from commercial parking lots to public roads, streets, and highways. Driving surfaces serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Commercial parking lots are often the first physical point of contact customers make. A lot pockmarked with cracks and potholes create [a poor first impression](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/poorly-maintained-commercial-parking-lot) - no one wants to test their shocks and dance around craters. You may have [performed routine maintenance](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/parking-lot-maintenance-winter) like sealcoating, repairing cracks that eventually become potholes, and scheduling semi-regular asphalt overlays. **But time, repeated use, and the elements eventually issue their death sentence.** Starting anew is inevitable. [Milling the asphalt](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/park-asphalt-milling-machine) is the first step. ## How is the Asphalt Milling Process Done? ### 1. Grinding the Surface A cutting drum armed with spikes grinds the top layer of asphalt. It rotates cutting heads across the surface, pulverizing the existing asphalt evenly down to a predetermined depth. This is done without disturbing the crucial subgrade, which, if damaged or weakened, will not support the weight of the driving surface and vehicles above it, resulting in [unsightly and potentially dangerous pavement failures](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/6-asphalt-paving-failures). The milling process also leaves existing infrastructure like curbs and drainage systems intact. ### 2. Removing the Remnants A clean surface is critical for ensuring a stable bond between the base and the fresh asphalt. A vacuum and conveyor system removes the crushed material and transfers it to a dump truck. ### 3. Recycling the Material Using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) **benefits the environment and your financial bottom line.** Recycling asphalt saves between [$30 and $80 per ton](https://asphaltrecycling.com/display.php?cnt_id=24), on average, compared to making fresh asphalt. For the contractor, recycling asphalt reduces time, energy, and transportation. **Those costs ultimately get passed down to you**. For the environment, recycled asphalt reduces the use of oil and other natural resources in addition to eliminating waste. ## Give Your Driving Surface a Fresh Start Milling is the only logical step when you can no longer add more asphalt to a driving surface. It grinds away the old surface to make room for a new layer. Both your wallet and the environment will appreciate the option to recycle. Choose an [experienced and trustworthy construction company](http://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/contact/) with the ability and resources to breathe new life into your parking lot or roadway.   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3829224/666c0c9d-3ef7-415e-b6f3-666e6bdf2189.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3829224/666c0c9d-3ef7-415e-b6f3-666e6bdf2189) Topics: [Parking Lot](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/parking-lot), [Asphalt Paving](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/asphalt-paving), [asphalt milling](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/asphalt-milling) ### Subscribe to Our Email! ### Recent Posts [![Ger a FREE Paving Estimate](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3829224/36c709f7-c98e-4a4d-929f-017cf5cafaec.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3829224/36c709f7-c98e-4a4d-929f-017cf5cafaec) ### Posts by Tag - [Ohio construction (62)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/ohio-construction) - [civil construction (42)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/civil-construction) - [Asphalt Paving (28)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/asphalt-paving) - [site work (27)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/site-work) - [Parking Lot (23)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/parking-lot) - [underground utilities (20)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/underground-utilities) - [contractors (16)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/contractors) - [regulations (16)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/regulations) - [rules (14)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/rules) - [asphalt milling (9)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/asphalt-milling) - [project of the month (9)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/project-of-the-month) - [construction aggregate (7)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-aggregate) - [demolition contractors (7)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/demolition-contractors) - [construction safety (5)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-safety) - [crushed stone (5)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/crushed-stone) - [demolition (5)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/demolition) - [construction equipment (4)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-equipment) - [Green construction (3)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/green-construction) - [Insider (3)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/insider) - [construction stone (3)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-stone) - [foundation stone (3)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/foundation-stone) - [Construction Loans (2)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-loans) - [GPS (2)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/gps) - [stone mix (2)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/stone-mix) See all [Park Enterprise Construction Company](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com) - [About Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/about-us/) - [Contact](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/contact/) - [Employment](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/employment/) - [Past Projects](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/past-projects/) - [Blog](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/) T: (740) 224-2416 F: 740.223.0039 560 Barks Road West Marion, Ohio 43302 Park Enterprise Construction Co., Inc. 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