Asphalt
Milling.
When failed pavement needs to come out before new asphalt goes down, milling is the first step. We run a CAT milling machine to grind out the deteriorated layer cleanly and precisely — so whatever comes next is built on a solid foundation.
⭐ 5-Star Rated · Licensed & Insured · Owner on Every Job · 1-Year Warranty
Remove the Failed Layer.
Start Fresh.
Asphalt milling is the process of grinding down and removing the top layer of deteriorated pavement — typically 1.5 to 3 inches deep — using a cold milling machine. The result is a clean, uniformly profiled surface that’s ready to bond with new asphalt, drainage corrections, or base repairs.
We run a CAT PM822 cold milling machine — professional commercial equipment that cuts to exact depth across the full width of the surface. This isn’t a saw-cut patch job or hand work. It’s precision removal that gives the resurfacing crew a consistent, bondable substrate to work from.
Milling matters because putting new asphalt over a failed surface doesn’t fix the problem — it buries it. Reflective cracking from the old damaged pavement will work through a new overlay within one or two Colorado winters if the underlying failure isn’t removed first. Milling done right means the new pavement actually lasts.
Get Your Free EstimateWhat’s Included on Every Milling Job
- Free on-site assessment by Oldan Jones — depth, extent, drainage evaluation
- CAT milling machine — commercial-grade, precision depth control
- Milling to spec — typically 1.5″ to 3″ depending on pavement condition
- Full-width passes — consistent depth across the entire surface, no high spots
- Edge milling — clean transitions at curbs, gutters, drains, and entries
- Millings haul-off — ground material removed and disposed of or recycled
- Base inspection — soft spots flagged and addressed before overlay
- Written estimate & 1-year warranty on all work completed
When Milling Is Required
Alligator Cracking
Web-like cracking across large areas means the pavement has failed structurally — not just on the surface. Sealing or overlaying over alligator cracking doesn’t fix it. The failed layer has to come out. Milling removes it cleanly so the new surface has something solid to bond to.
Elevation & Drainage Corrections
When a parking lot or driveway has developed low spots, poor drainage, or needs to match adjacent curb heights, milling allows precise elevation correction. The machine grinds to exact depth across the surface — you can’t achieve that precision with overlay alone.
Before Resurfacing or Repaving
Any time a resurfacing job involves existing pavement with subsurface damage, milling is the required first step. Without it, the new overlay will crack along the same failure lines within one or two freeze-thaw seasons. Milling first means the new surface actually holds.
Commercial Lot Rehabilitation
Large commercial parking lots that have deteriorated past the point of maintenance need systematic milling before rehabilitation can begin. We handle commercial-scale milling jobs — full lots, phased sections, working around business operations with traffic control.
HOA Roads & Private Streets
HOA community roads and private streets accumulate damage unevenly — heavy traffic areas fail faster than lightly used sections. Milling allows targeted removal where it’s needed most, so resurfacing budget goes to the sections that actually need it.
Recycled Asphalt Projects
Milled asphalt (RAP — Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) can be recycled back into new hot-mix or used as base material. For projects where sustainability or material cost is a factor, milling with RAP recovery is an option we can discuss at the estimate.
The Milling Process — Start to Finish
Free On-Site Assessment
Oldan walks your pavement and determines the required milling depth, extent of the failed area, drainage needs, and whether base repairs are needed before the overlay. Written quote — no phone estimates.
Traffic Control & Setup
Cones, signage, and access management before equipment rolls. We work around your tenants, customers, or residents — coordinating phased sections when full closure isn’t possible.
CAT Milling Machine Cuts
The CAT PM822 makes full-width passes at the specified depth — removing the failed asphalt layer uniformly across the surface. Edge work at curbs, drains, and transitions is handled precisely to ensure clean profiles.
Haul-Off & Base Inspection
Millings are removed from the site. The exposed base is inspected for soft spots or drainage issues. Any base failures get addressed before the resurfacing crew comes in — because new asphalt over a bad base fails fast.
What Sets Our Milling Work Apart
CAT Equipment — Not Rented for the Day
We run a CAT PM822 cold milling machine — commercial-grade, precision depth control, capable of handling full parking lots and commercial-scale projects. The right machine for the job, not whatever was available at the rental yard.
Owner on Every Job
Oldan personally shows up to every milling job — not just the estimate. He oversees the depth settings, the edge work, and the base inspection when the milling is done. Details at every stage matter on milling jobs. He makes sure they’re right.
Colorado Climate Knowledge
At 6,035 feet with 100+ freeze-thaw cycles per year, Colorado Springs pavement fails in specific ways. We know how deep damage typically goes in this climate, what base conditions look like after years of freeze-thaw stress, and what needs to happen before any new asphalt goes down.
Written Estimates, No Surprises
Every milling quote is written and itemized — machine time, area, depth, haul-off, base work if needed. No phone ballparks that change when the crew shows up. Oldan sees your pavement before any number goes on paper.
1-Year Warranty
Every milling job comes backed by a one-year warranty on our work. We stand behind the precision, the depth consistency, and the edge quality. If something’s not right, we come back and fix it.
Full Project Continuity
We handle milling and resurfacing as a complete project — same crew, same owner, same standards from grind to overlay to compaction. You don’t coordinate two contractors and hope the transition goes smoothly. We own the whole job.
Asphalt Milling FAQ
What Is Cold Milling and How Is It Different From Demolition?
Cold milling uses a rotating drum with carbide cutting teeth to grind asphalt to a precise, uniform depth — typically 1.5″ to 3″. It’s controlled, precise, and leaves a profiled surface ready for a new overlay. Demolition tears out asphalt to the base indiscriminately — it’s used for full reconstruction, not rehabilitation. Milling is the right tool when the base is sound and you’re preserving the existing structure.
How Deep Does Milling Go?
Depth depends on where the pavement has failed. Most residential and commercial surface milling runs 1.5″ to 2″ deep — removing the deteriorated wearing course while leaving the underlying layers intact. Deeper milling (up to 3″ or more) is used when damage extends further down or when elevation corrections require more material removal. Oldan assesses the depth required at the on-site evaluation.
What Happens to the Millings After the Job?
Milled asphalt (called RAP — Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) is ground into a recyclable material. We haul millings off-site as part of the job. RAP is typically recycled into new hot-mix asphalt or used as base material — it doesn’t go to a landfill. If on-site stockpiling is useful for your project, that’s an option we can discuss.
Do I Always Need Milling Before Resurfacing?
Not always — but often. If your existing pavement is structurally sound at the surface and subsurface, a direct overlay can work without milling. But if there’s alligator cracking, subsurface damage, or drainage corrections needed, milling first is required. Skipping milling when it’s needed means the new overlay cracks along the same failure lines within 1–2 Colorado winters. Oldan will tell you honestly whether you need it.
Can You Mill Only Part of a Parking Lot?
Yes. Selective or partial milling is common on large commercial lots where some sections have failed while others are still serviceable. We mill the sections that need it, address the base, and resurface those areas — saving significant cost over milling the entire lot when it isn’t necessary.
How Long Does Milling Take?
A standard residential driveway or small commercial lot can be milled in a single day. Larger commercial projects are typically phased to keep sections of the lot accessible. We’ll give you a specific timeline at the estimate based on your project size and whether phased access is needed.
What Areas Do You Serve for Milling?
Colorado Springs is our primary market. We also serve Fountain, Monument, Falcon, Black Forest, Security-Widefield, Woodland Park, Peyton, and Pueblo. Oldan makes the drive. Call (719) 285-9736 if you’re unsure whether you’re in our service area.
Oldan Jones — Owner & Operator
Milling sets the foundation for everything that comes after it. Get the depth wrong, miss the soft spots in the base, or leave uneven edges — and the resurfacing job suffers no matter how good the overlay is. Oldan is on every milling job personally to make sure the foundation is right before a single ton of new asphalt goes down.
Get Your Free Estimate in 24 Hours.
Asphalt milling for commercial lots, driveways, HOA roads, and private streets across Colorado Springs and the surrounding region. CAT equipment, owner on every job, written quote.
(719) 285-9736Get Your Free Estimate ⭐ 5-Star Rated · Licensed & Insured · 1-Year Warranty · Colorado Springs, CO