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The Advantages of Concrete Paving for Sustainable Development Projects

In the realm of sustainable development, every material choice plays a pivotal role in shaping a greener future. When it comes to paving solutions, concrete emerges as a standout performer, offering a plethora of advantages that align seamlessly with sustainable development goals. Concrete, when utilized by experienced concrete contractors from reputable companies such as those in Denver, can significantly contribute to the creation of environmentally-friendly and enduring infrastructure.

Durability and Longevity

One of the foremost advantages of opting for concrete paving in sustainable development projects is its exceptional durability and longevity. Concrete, when properly mixed and installed by seasoned concrete contractors, possesses the strength to withstand heavy loads, harsh weather conditions, and the test of time. This durability ensures that the infrastructure lasts for decades, minimizing the need for frequent repairs and replacements. This longevity reduces the overall environmental impact by decreasing the demand for additional resources and energy required for reconstruction.

Low Environmental Impact of Concrete Production

Concrete, when sourced from environmentally conscious concrete companies, can be produced with a reduced carbon footprint. The production of concrete typically involves locally available raw materials, reducing the transportation-related emissions associated with long-distance transportation. Furthermore, advancements in concrete technology have led to the development of eco-friendly mixes, incorporating recycled materials such as fly ash and slag, which would otherwise end up in landfills.

Energy Efficiency in Construction

Concrete paving offers energy efficiency during the construction phase. The quick curing time of concrete means that roads, walkways, and other infrastructure can be put into service sooner, minimizing disruption and reducing the need for prolonged construction activities. This not only saves energy but also contributes to a more efficient and sustainable construction process.

Reflectivity for Energy Conservation

Concrete’s reflective properties contribute to energy conservation, particularly in urban environments. Concrete pavements, when light in color, reflect sunlight, reducing the urban heat island effect. This phenomenon helps in maintaining lower temperatures in densely populated areas, thereby decreasing the energy required for cooling buildings and improving overall energy efficiency.

Low Maintenance Requirements

Concrete paving demands minimal maintenance compared to alternative materials. This characteristic is a key factor in sustainable development, as it reduces the need for regular repairs and maintenance activities that often involve resource-intensive processes. The longevity of concrete pavements, coupled with their low maintenance requirements, translates to lower overall environmental impact throughout the life cycle of the infrastructure.

Water Permeability and Environmental Conservation

Concrete pavements can be designed to be permeable, allowing water to penetrate through the surface and recharge the groundwater table. This feature aids in natural water conservation, mitigating the adverse effects of impermeable surfaces in urban areas. By choosing permeable concrete solutions, sustainable development projects can contribute to better stormwater management and overall environmental health.

In conclusion, the advantages of concrete paving for sustainable development projects are multifaceted. The durability, low environmental impact in production, energy efficiency, reflectivity, low maintenance requirements, and water permeability make concrete a commendable choice for environmentally conscious development initiatives. When executed by skilled concrete contractors from reputable companies, such as those in Denver, concrete paving becomes a cornerstone in the construction of a greener and more sustainable future.

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Why You Should Avoid DIY Concrete Repair If You Can Help It

Whether you’re talking about a commercial or residential property, the urge to try to fix everything yourself can often be great. You can save a lot of money by simply not hiring professionals for certain tasks and turning as much as you can into a DIY affair.

When it comes to concrete, however, there are a number of very important reasons why you should absolutely resist the urge to do this at all costs.

Knowledge is Power

Even if you consider yourself to be a particularly handy or otherwise skillful person, perhaps the number one reason why you should avoid DIY concrete repair if you can help it has to do with the fact that you likely won’t be able to assess the damage properly.

You know that a section of your concrete is developing cracks. Do you know what kind of cracks they are? Do you know why they are there in the first place? The answers to those questions will dictate how it should be remedied as far as a long-term solution is concerned.

Even if you’re able to properly assess and repair surface-level damage, you’d still be “treating the symptom instead of curing the disease,” so to speak. An underlying issue could be impacting the entirety of your concrete, but to a novice it would appear that the issue is localized to one particular area.

A team of professionals would know that this isn’t the case. They could collect as much actionable information as possible so that they can know exactly what to do next. Not only would this be a more effective solution to your current problem, but it would also prevent you from inadvertently making a problem worse as well.

The Time Factor

Next, you need to consider the fact that properly repairing and maintaining concrete isn’t as straightforward as patching a hole in some drywall. It’s incredibly time-consuming – particularly if this is the first job of this scale you’ve ever worked on.

First, most concrete-related tasks require specific tools and materials that vary depending on exactly what you need to do. If you don’t have them, you’ll need to go out and get them – an investment that you’ll probably only use once. Likewise, you’ll be spending a lot of time waiting for concrete to dry, which you won’t necessarily know how to spend in more productive ways if you’re not a professional.

In the end, while it’s absolutely true that there are a lot of jobs around the house (or around the commercial property) that you’re more than capable of handling on your own, concrete repair shouldn’t be one of them in virtually all circumstances. Yes, you might think that you can save a little money by forgoing the call to the professionals and purchasing the necessary supplies yourself. On paper, you might even be right.

But what you’re risking is a situation where you take a small problem and make it a much bigger and ultimately costlier one. If you don’t want to risk damaging things to the point where you might need to replace all the concrete and start again instead of repair it, you’ll want to pick up the phone and call a professional concrete repair service as soon as you’re able to do so.

If you’d like to find out more information about why you should always avoid DIY concrete repair if you can help it, or if you’d just like to speak tos someone about your own situation in a bit more detail, please don’t delay – contact us today.

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What Homeowner’s Associations and Similar Communities Need to Know About Proper Asphalt Maintenance

Many choose to move into an area with a Homeowner’s Association thanks to the wide range of different benefits that come with it. Not only is an HOA tasked with managing shared property, but it also provides essential services to residents that help maintain their property values, too. All this, coupled with the deeply rooted sense of community that HOAs are known for, creates a perfect storm in the best possible way for most people.

Many such communities are working with a larger-than-average amount of asphalt and, in keeping with the responsibilities of the Homeowner’s Association itself, those surfaces must be properly maintained. Doing so isn’t quite as straightforward as maintaining asphalt in or around a traditional residence, however. It requires you to keep a number of important things in mind to make sure things stay looking their best.

HOA Asphalt Maintenance: The Best Practices You Need to Know About

By far, the most important key to proper asphalt maintenance in an HOA or similar community involves knowing the warning signs that you should be looking out for.

According to information compiled by Michigan Technological University, the most common types of “distresses” in these areas are often cracking, roughness, weathering, raveling, rutting, and bleeding.

But even going beyond identifying what issue is occurring, it’s always essential to understand why it’s happening as well. If issues are happening prematurely due to structural deficiencies, that area of asphalt likely can’t be repaired as easily as if you were dealing with normal wear and tear. Anything structural would require either enlisting the help of asphalt companies and professionals like those at Superior Aggregates for rehabilitation, or in a more extreme scenario a total reconstruction.

It’s also pivotal to match the right issues up with the right type of maintenance to help guarantee long-lasting results. Some cracks can be repaired quickly with basic clean and seal techniques. others require saw and seal, route and seal, crack filling, or something a bit more extensive. But even in those cases, it’s always important to act quickly. For an HOA in particular, residents want to know that the money they pay in fees is being spent in the smartest and most proactive way. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Board to address a small problem now before it has a chance to become a much more expensive one later on – and needlessly so.

Another important best practice for HOAs and similar communities involves making sure to quickly remove oil and/or coolant stains as soon as possible. This is common in areas that get a great deal of usage, as a shared community would. The judicious application of kitty litter, coupled with regular cleaning, will help dramatically. Remember that the residents themselves have to maintain their property in a certain way and keep it up to a high standard, less they get fined by the HOA. It wouldn’t be fair to hold them to that while also allowing the asphalt to look unsightly due to these types of issues.

At Superior Aggregates Inc., we’ve been proudly helping not only HOAs but also residential and commercial clients for almost three decades. If you’re located in or around the Boulder, CO area and need fast repairs, routine maintenance, a complete surface installation, or anything in between, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve come to the right place. Contact us today for more information about our services.

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3 Ways Asphalt and Concrete Surfaces Positively Impact Communities

Asphalt companies have made a significant contribution to our nation’s transportation system by paving roads that are cost-effective, safe, and can withstand the harsh cycles of freezing temperatures. Without asphalt roads that feature a dark surface which significantly reduces glare and is skid-resistant to reduce accidents on wet roads, the number of highway and road accidents would be higher.

There are other advantages of asphalt surfaces that positively impact our communities, making them safer and quieter while adding fuel efficiency.

3 Reasons to Support Asphalt Roads

1. Asphalt is sustainable and recyclable

Asphalt roads have a thick base course along with an intermediate and top wear course which is about 3 inches. When the time comes for resurfacing, it is only the top wear layer that is milled off, then reused to make a fresh new top layer about every 20 years. The underlying courses typically never need replacement and can remain very strong indefinitely.

Because asphalt is 100% recyclable, American taxpayers save billions of dollars each year when municipalities complete roadwork using sustainable asphalt surfaces.

2. Less noise means better communities

The smooth nature of asphalt roadways and the properties of asphalt itself make for a driving surface that is much quieter than other roadway materials. Notice that there are no construction joints on asphalt-paved surfaces. It is these joints that often lift up or buckle, causing noise as trucks and cars drive.

Many states have roadway smoothness requirements that must be met, and asphalt is the easiest way to create roads that are built smoothly and provide an extremely quiet driving surface. And, when the time does come to repair or replace asphalt, it is the quickest road to repair, which eliminates long hours of road construction.

3. Asphalt roads offer better fuel efficiency

The ultra-smooth surface of asphalt means there is less friction between car tires and the road. This adds to driving that is more controllable, more comfortable, and saves on gasoline. Even the construction of asphalt roads is efficient, because it is completed in just a few easy stages, which eliminates rerouting of traffic that can add to a driver’s commute time.

Fuel efficiency trickles down to greater benefits to the community, like better air quality and a smaller carbon footprint. When automobiles have better fuel efficiency, they cost less to operate and maintain. It is estimated that thousands of dollars can be saved by driving on asphalt roads.

Finally, asphalt can be formulated with a number of different additives to fit the different weather and road conditions that exist all over the country. There are some asphalt mixtures that contribute to a smoother surface and some that promote better rainwater drainage.

With the ability to engineer an asphalt roadway solution to fit the unique needs of each community, every one wins with a product that is recyclable, provides a smooth and quiet ride, and contributes to the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks.

Superior Aggregates Inc. has been solving asphalt paving problems for municipal, commercial, and residential customers in Boulder, CO and surrounding communities for over 27 years. From quick repairs to complete asphalt surface installations, we provide the highest in workmanship and material quality.

Contact Superior Aggregates to learn more about how our asphalt and concrete services can benefit you and your community.

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How Asphalt Gets Damaged: When to Contact an Asphalt Company for Repairs

An asphalt driveway or parking lot can last for years, but eventually you will need to contact an asphalt company for a replacement or repair. Asphalt gets damaged over time from temperature extremes, general wear and tear, spills on the asphalt, and when equipment is parked on the asphalt that is too heavy. There are a number of reasons to have your asphalt repaired, and it’s important to understand when it’s time to call for help to protect the longevity of your driveway or parking lot.

Temperature Extremes and Excessive Storms

When you live in an area that experiences temperature extremes, this can wreak havoc on your asphalt surfaces. Your asphalt will expand during hot weather, and contract slightly when the weather is freezing. This will eventually cause cracks in your asphalt that will need to be repaired. During heavy storms, your asphalt can get damaged by falling debris, and even hail storms when the hail is large enough. If you notice damage to your asphalt after a storm, you will want to have an asphalt company come to assess the damage.

Freezing Temperatures and Cracking

If water gets below the surface of your asphalt driveway or parking lot and freezes, this is going to cause frost heaves on your asphalt to form. When the ice develops, it is going to push up sections of your asphalt if there is enough water. This is why you address cracks in your asphalt immediately, so that water can’t get below the surface and cause frost heaves. Asphalt companies will work with you to address any cracks that develop before they can cause further damage to your asphalt.

Heavy Equipment and High Traffic Areas

Heavy equipment can lead to damage to your asphalt surfaces, especially when the equipment is parked for any length of time. In areas where you have substantial traffic, you may see your asphalt wear down faster than in areas where few cars travel. If you find indentations or cracks from heavy equipment that was parked on your asphalt, you will want to get this repaired. When you have indentations, this is going to ruin the structural integrity of your asphalt surface.

Oil and Chemical Spills on Your Asphalt

If you find an oil spill on your asphalt surface, this needs to be cleaned up right away. Chemical spills should be handled by asphalt companies with the experience you want to stay safe during the cleanup process. Oil and other chemicals can damage the asphalt, and cause you to need a parking lot or driveway replacement earlier than expected. Always have spills cleaned up immediately to avoid damage to your asphalt.

Asphalt companies can come to assess any damage to your parking lot or driveway when you believe there is damage to your property. Don’t ignore cracks, as these can let in water that may eventually freeze. Pay attention to any spills on your asphalt, and get these professionally cleaned up as needed. When you take good care of your asphalt surfaces, you should be able to avoid an early replacement. Looks for cracks, and call for help from asphalt companies when you need it.