Asphalt Milling & Reclamation in Atlanta, Georgia

Q: What are the three types of milling?

Three key types of asphalt milling include: Road Resurfacing: Removes surface damage while maintaining foundation integrity and proper drainage. Parking Lot Milling: Targets cracks, rutting, and surface wear while preserving slopes and access points. Patching: Uses precision milling to remove damaged areas, ensuring clean transitions and stronger repairs.

What Is Asphalt Milling?

Asphalt milling, also known as cold planning, is a specialized process that removes several inches of an existing pavement surface to prepare it for resurfacing. This is a cost-effective method as it replaces only the top layer of old asphalt instead of completely removing the entire pavement structure.

Using precision grinding equipment, our technicians can mill pavement to specific depths while leaving the foundation sub-base intact. The milling process creates a rough but level surface that is perfect for major improvement projects like resurfacing, repairs, and more.

If your asphalt pavement is facing deterioration, Magnum Paving’s commercial milling services offer an economic solution. Our asphalt milling offers a balance of quality, cost savings, and environmental benefits. We’re conveniently headquartered in Villa Rica, GA – just outside Atlanta – and provide asphalt paving services across Georgia and surrounding Southeastern states, including Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. Call our main office or contact us online to get started.

Our Commercial Asphalt Milling Services Include:

Road Resurfacing

Roads endure constant stress from daily traffic, weather extremes, and the passage of time. When an existing road starts to show extreme surface damage but remains structurally sound underneath, milling offers an efficient solution. Our resurfacing services:

Remove damaged top layers while preserving the foundation
Create consistent transitions at curbs, gutters, and adjacent pavements
Allow for proper drainage and elevation maintenance
Minimize traffic disruption compared to full reconstruction

Parking Lots

Commercial parking lots represent a significant investment for businesses. Our parking lot milling services help property managers extend pavement life while improving overall safety and aesthetics.

Eliminate surface damage like cracking, rutting, and deterioration
Maintain proper drainage slopes
Create smooth transitions at entrances, loading zones, and pedestrian areas
Reduce liability risks from potential trip hazards and standing water

Patching

For targeted repairs in commercial settings, precision milling creates clean, straight edges that make sure patches bond properly with existing pavement.

Removes damaged sections with exact depth control
Creates uniform repair areas with proper transitions
Allows for smooth integration of new asphalt
Produces longer-lasting repairs compared to overlay patches

The Asphalt Milling Process

Magnum Paving’s approach ensures quality results for every commercial project.

Preparation

We first clear the area, inspect the pavement, and evaluate its condition. This assessment is to determine the appropriate milling depth and to identify any underlying issues that may require special attention.

Milling

Using milling machines, we grind and remove the top layer of asphalt to the predetermined depth.

Surface Repair

After milling, we inspect and repair any subgrade damage to guarantee a solid foundation for the new asphalt later. This step is critical in preventing future issues and extending your pavement’s lifespan.

Application

Once repairs are complete, we install new asphalt material and compact it to create a smooth, durable surface with proper density and finish.

Finishing & Marking

The final step is applying the necessary pavement marking, including line striping, directional indicators, and accessibility marking, to complete your project.

What Is Full-Depth Reclamation?

Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) is the pinnacle of sustainable pavement rehabilitation solutions. Did you know that in America, we replace more than 400 million tons of asphalt annually? That is enough material to create a belt around the Earth’s equator six times over.

Reclamation offers a solution that’s both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. We can utilize full-depth reclamation to process old asphalt layers down to nearly 2 feet, recycling those materials to create a stronger, more environmentally conscious base layer.

Unlike simple resurfacing, reclamation addresses structural problems by rebuilding the pavement from the base up. The process is ideal when:

The existing pavement shows signs of base failure
Multiple layers of old asphalt have created elevation issues
Drainage problems need correction
Subgrade stabilization is required

For commercial properties with severely deteriorated pavements, reclamation is typically 25-30% less expensive than complete removal and replacement while still providing superior structural performance.

What is Edge Milling?

Edge milling is a specialized technique that focuses on the transitions between asphalt surfaces and connecting structures like curbs, gutters, manholes, and drain grates. This approach can solve critical problems that overlays cannot address.

When installing an asphalt overlay without edge milling, several issues can arise, such as:

Manhole covers becoming recessed, creating hazards and access problems
Curb heights decreasing, reducing drainage capacity and barrier protection
Transitions between pavements becoming uneven and potentially dangerous
Storm drains and gutters losing capacity, leading to drainage failures

Our edge milling equipment removes asphalt adjacent to these features, allowing for new pavement to maintain proper elevations after overlay installation. This attention to detail means preserving proper draining patterns, maintaining ADA-compliant transitions, ensuring utility access remains at ground level, and extending your curb life by maintaining proper exposure height.

For commercial properties with multiple fixtures and transitions, edge milling is essential for successful resurfacing projects that maintain both functionality and safety.

Why Choose Asphalt Milling for Your Atlanta Pavement Repair?

Cost Effective Solution

Milling and resurfacing usually costs 40-60% less than a complete reconstruction. By preserving the sound foundation and base layers, you eliminate the need for extensive excavation, material replacement, and disposal costs.

Maintains Original Elevations

Milling removes the same thickness of asphalt that will be replaced, maintaining proper relations with curbs, drains, and other adjacent surfaces. This preserves your property’s original engineering design and functionality.

Extends Pavement Life

The mill-and-fill process can add 25% more lifespan than a basic overlay by removing deteriorated surface material that would otherwise cause reflective cracking in new pavement.

Environmentally Friendly

Asphalt is the world’s most recycled material, and milling helps to maximize this advantage. Removed asphalt is processed and reincorporated into new mixes, reducing landfill waste and conserving natural resources. This process also creates less noise, dust, and daily disruption than traditional reconstruction methods.

Faster Project Completion

Milling projects can finish 30-50% faster than a full reconstruction. With reduced excavation requirements and the ability to maintain traffic flow during phased construction, your commercial operations experience minimal disruption.

Reduced Liability

By eliminating trip hazards, drainage issues, and surface damage, milled and resurfaced pavements help to reduce slip-and-fall liability risks for commercial property owners.

Top Causes of Pavement Deterioration

Commercial pavements deteriorate over time due to several factors. Understanding these causes can help property owners/managers make informed decisions about maintenance and potential rehabilitation.

Incorrect Pavement Thickness

Inadequate asphalt thickness for the intended traffic load quickly deteriorates. Commercial properties usually require greater structural depth than residential applications.

Excess Traffic Weight Load

Heavier vehicles (particularly when exceeding design specifications), compress and damage the pavement. Loading docks and delivery areas are especially vulnerable.

Poor Water Drainage

Standing water penetrates pavement and weakens the base materials, causing asphalt to decay from the bottom up. Proper slopes and drainage systems are important for pavement longevity and functionality.

Oil and Gas Spots

Petroleum-based products break down asphalt binders. This leads to the softening and disintegration of the pavement surface. This is common in high-traffic parking areas.

Poor Maintenance

Neglecting things like crack sealing, sealcoating, and timely repairs allows minor issues to develop into major pavement failures. Regular maintenance helps to extend the life of your pavement.

Harsh Climate Fluctuations

Freeze-thaw cycles, extreme heat, and UV exposure accelerate pavement aging. Atlanta’s climate can be challenging with hot summers and occasional winter freezes.

Shifting Ground

Soil settlement, erosion, and inadequate compaction cause uneven support beneath the pavement, leading to cracking and deformation. Commercial sites with significant earthwork history are particularly prone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asphalt Milling in Georgia

What is asphalt milling?

Asphalt milling, also known as cold planning, is the process of removing the top layers of asphalt pavement using precision grinding equipment. This technique prepares the surface for resurfacing while preserving the foundation below, making it a cost-effective and efficient solution for deteriorated surfaces.

What is the FDR (Full-Depth Reclamation) process?

Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) is a sustainable method of pavement rehabilitation that recycles old asphalt and base layers up to nearly two feet deep. This process rebuilds the pavement from the base up, making it ideal for correcting structural failures, elevation issues, drainage problems, and unstable subgrades—while being 25–30% more cost-effective than full reconstruction.

What are the three types of milling?

Three key types of asphalt milling include:

Road Resurfacing: Removes surface damage while maintaining foundation integrity and proper drainage.
Parking Lot Milling: Targets cracks, rutting, and surface wear while preserving slopes and access points.
Patching: Uses precision milling to remove damaged areas, ensuring clean transitions and stronger repairs.

Why Choose Magnum Paving As Your Next Asphalt Milling Contractor?

Magnum Paving delivers first-rate asphalt milling services to commercial clients throughout the Atlanta Metro area. As part of the Pave America network, we combine local expertise with national resources to provide exceptional quality and value.

Our team brings specialized expertise in commercial paving applications, from retail centers to industrial facilities, and we’re here to deliver solutions that minimize disruption while maximizing your investment return.

Contact us today to discuss how our professional asphalt milling services can extend the life of your commercial pavement while enhancing safety and appearance.

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