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The process of laying concrete & asphalt

You may need concrete replacement or asphalt replacement. No matter how well-laid the surfaces are, they will eventually wear out. You also may need new asphalt or concrete on a substrate that previously did not have a prepared surface. This article will provide you with an easy to understand overview of these processes.

Laying Concrete & Asphalt: Preparing the Substrate & Remove the Existing Surface

The first step in laying both concrete and asphalt is to remove the existing surface. Obviously, if the surface is simply earth, this step is not necessary. However, many times when laying concrete and asphalt there is already a surface there. Removing the existing service often includes jackhammering it apart and removing it piece by piece. It is not as time-consuming as you might think, however.

Compact the Soil

Once the existing service has been removed, it is time to compact the soil. This will be the first step in the process if there is not already concrete or asphalt in the location where you’re laying the new surface. Compacting this soil may not seem like an important process to someone who is not familiar with laying concrete and asphalt. However, it is very important. It actually may be the most important part of the process. Properly compacting the soil will help ensure that the concrete or asphalt laid on top of it does not crack and does last a long time.

Cover Soil With Crushed Rock & Pack It (for Asphalt)

Once the soil has been properly compacted, the contractors will need to cover it with crushed rock and pack it tightly if they are applying asphalt. This step in the process is not necessary if concrete is being laid, but it is an integral part of the process for asphalt. This crushed rock substrate offers an excellent surface for asphalt to sit on top of. Just putting asphalt on top of the soil would not work because it would not adhere properly to the soil. This could lead to an unstable and even dangerous surface. Once the crushed rock has been applied, it must be packed. This is usually done with the roller vehicle. Next, the contractors will allow the soil to settle for roughly seven days.

Choose a Thickness

Before the concrete or asphalt can be laid, a thickness must be decided upon. The standard thickness ranges from one and a half to three inches. The decision is yours in the end, but it is highly recommended that you listen to the recommendation of the contractor you’re working with. They are highly experienced and trained professionals and they have done many similar jobs so they will know the thickness that will work best for your situation.

Pour the Surface

As you might have guessed, the next step is to pour the surface. Concrete can simply be poured out of a contract mr. into the ground and leveled out. Asphalt must be applied with the rocky material first and then that are on top of it. This makes a little more of an involved process, but it is not as time-consuming as you might expect.

Let the Surface Dry (Concrete) or Compact It (Asphalt)

Once the surface has been poured, it is time to let it dry, provided the surface is concrete. If it is asphalt, it does not take nearly as long to dry. However, it must be tightly packed to ensure that it is weather resistant.

Making the Right Decision for Your Asphalt and Concrete Needs

In many applications, getting a new asphalt or concrete surface can actually save you money. Residential and commercial asphalt resurfacing, for example, can be more expensive than replacement in some circumstances. Commercial and residential concrete maintenance can also be prohibitively expensive. Even concrete driveway repair expenses can add up.

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6 Ways Commercial Asphalt Paving Can Help Your Business Save Money

1. The first way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is that you will not have to worry about improper installation. One of the important factors in the lifespan of your asphalt paving is whether or not it was installed properly. Improper installation can drastically reduce how long your asphalt paving lasts, so it is worth to have the process done by professionals. Professionals will know how to properly install the asphalt, including the sub-platform, so that your asphalt paving lasts as long as possible. This saves money because you will not have to pay to have the asphalt removed and reinstalled by professionals, which is both time-consuming and expensive.

2. The second way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is to ensure your asphalt drainage is excellent. Poor asphalt drainage will force you to spend money on maintenance and or commercial asphalt repair. Meanwhile, it will cost your business even more money since you will likely have to close your business temporarily until the area is clean and dry again. If your asphalt drainage is adequate, you can keep your business open and continue making profit without worrying about this problem. Proper asphalt drainage also eliminates the problem of standing water accumulating close to your business thus maintaining its professional appearance.

3. The third way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is that you can find asphalt companieswilling to do a porous asphalt project. Porous asphalt is a green alternative to traditional asphalt and your business may receive a tax credit for using it. Additionally, porous asphalt is semi-permeable in that water can go through it and this allows water to go back to the ground easily. Porous asphalt also helps with stormwater in that it acts as a natural drainage system so you will not have to spend as much money to follow stormwater regulations about your drainage systems.

4. The fourth way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is with regular maintenance. Saving your business money and spending money on regular asphalt maintenance may sound contradictory, but this is not the case. Maintaining your asphalt regularly prevents serious problems such as potholes or structural compromise, which could require commercial asphalt resurfacing. Instead, have your asphalt company check for cracks and fill them as well as apply sealcoating in addition to other services your asphalt requires. This will cost your business far less money than solving more serious problems with your asphalt.

5. The fifth way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money involves finding a reliable asphalt paving company. This saves your business money because interviewing and quoting many different asphalt companies every time you need a project done can prove costly and time-intensive. If you have a reliable asphalt paving company in mind, you can simply turn to them whenever you need work done on your business’ asphalt. Additionally, a reliable asphalt company will not overcharge you for repairs or maintenance which saves your business yet more money. A reliable asphalt company will also attend to any emergency repairs when you need it and thus reduce the amount of time you need to close your business, if at all.

6. The sixth way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is it prevents your business from paying for a satellite parking lot for your employees and customers. Commercial asphalt paving allows you to have your own parking lot and this eliminates the cost of maintaining a satellite parking lot. Having your own parking lot also helps you comply with safety regulations and prevents your business from paying fees for noncompliance. It also saves your business money by giving your customers a place to park and thus providing your business greater potential profit from those customers.

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How to Decide on the Right Contractor

Concrete services are incredibly versatile, and homeowners have a lot to choose from. The residential concrete market is booming, and today’s contractors are installing floors, patios and driveways at incredibly high rates. Available concrete professionals have their work cut out for them, and homeowners need to ask a few questions before settling on any specific provider. Finding the right concrete contractor can be tough. Settling on a single provider is a gamble, and it’s not one which should be taken lightly.

Before choosing a contractor, a few things should be considered. Below, we’re covering the best way to choose a concrete contractor.

Step One: Do a Little Research

First, you should research. A simple Internet search can return a list of potential contractors able to provide service in your area. If you want to get personal, ask your family members and friends for referrals and recommendations. Or, reach out to your area’s local concrete supply company and ask about commercial asphalt repair. Ask them to refer some decent concrete contractors. If you can compile a good list of contractor options, you’ll have a healthy supply of service providers to choose from.

Step Two: Assure Insurance Coverage

Next, you should make sure any contractor you work with has insurance coverage. Sometimes, things go wrong. A job site needs to be protected, and your service provider should have insurance coverage. Make sure you’re not going to be liable if an accident occurs. Before picking a contractor, make sure they have adequate insurance coverage. Their coverage should be enough to cover your home, the project and any injuries in the event of an accident. To help you determine whether a contractor’s insurance coverage is enough, contact their insurance company directly. Then, ask them to verify the contractor’s insurance—as well as their coverage policy’s dates.

Step Three: Determine Their Experience

A good contractor will have years of proven experience. Whether you’re looking at a commercial asphalt resurfacing provider or a number of driveway repair contractors, years in business is a huge indicator of direct potential. A lot of asphalt companies present their years in service up front for this reason—it’s a good advertising strategy. Some residential paving companies, meanwhile, can be difficult to pin down—experience-wise.

Choose between the providers which have at least five years of experience. Concrete contractors and businesses with at least five years of business tend to be more stable and reliable than most. Experienced contractors are, more often than not, highly active on different projects while also being capable suggestion and insight providers. You’ll want to choose a provider which can offer the right concrete mixes, who can suggest ongoing project options and who can enhance your home’s overall look.

Step Four: Ask for References

In the concrete contractor world, successful providers are backed by reputable references. Before signing any contract, ask your contractor for a list of references. Then, contact these references. Learn more about your potential contractor and their operations. Ask all references questions about the type of project they received service on, the project’s length and the project’s overall quality. Then, compare this information to other references.

Once you’ve compared several contractors, you can compare prices. While price should be a large determining factor of which services you’ll pick, it should be one of the last considerations you view. Insurance coverage and a solid track record are more important. They’ll assure high-quality work, and they’ll give you an idea of your project’s overall quality. Many residential paving companies exist, but not all can provide long-term project sustainability and great repair jobs. Be smart, check out several providers and make an informed decision.

 

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The Benefits of Beautiful Concrete in Your Office Parking Lot

Do you want to revamp your commercial property? Whether you’re a property management leader, a regional decision maker or a local store owner, it’s in your best interest to spice up your property with accessibility, reliability and long-lasting appeal. A concrete parking can completely revitalize your store’s appeal, attract more customers and make the day-to-day work grind incredibly easygoing.

 

If you haven’t yet, you should consider reworking your parking lot to be concrete-centric, and for these reasons.

 

Reduced Energy Costs

Concrete surfaces are lighter colored, so you won’t need to spend as much on lighting costs. By installing a concrete parking lot, you can eliminate between three and 10 light fixtures regularly needed to enhance your commercial property’s visibility. Installing concrete can make a safer parking lot, reducing energy costs while protecting your customers.

 

Reduced Maintenance Costs

Concrete maintenance costs are virtually zero. Sure, you might need an annual concrete cleaning job. You might also need to seal some joints, here and there. In general, however, asphalt parking lots need to be re-coated with liquid asphalt once per three to five years. They only need to be resurfaced once per 10 years.

 

Symmetry

Nothing says “great aesthetics” like a freshly-coated concrete parking lot section. Is your store moving up in the world? If so, maybe it’s time to revamp its exterior parking area. A concrete parking lot can greatly enhance a store’s perceived professionalism, assuring symmetry while enticing new buyers. A symmetrical parking lot is a parking lot which boasts positivity. A lot of asphalt companies specialize in creating enticing installations which provide years of allurement.

 

Cool Customers

You want to keep your customers happy, right? By installing a concrete parking lot, you can greatly reduce the “heat factor” of passerby and would-be shoppers. Parking lots can greatly reduce reflected sun rays, lowering the area’s overall heat. In doing so, they can provide comfort to store-goers who’re either on foot or leaving their cars to check out your store.

 

Environmental Friendliness

Concrete is created from natural resources, and using it can positively impact the environment. You can even install a sustainable concrete product, bringing rainwater back to the earth in your store’s area. In fact, some concrete contractors can complete custom projects to assure your sidewalk and greenery area are both protected and nurtured whenever it rains, directing any waterflow through intelligent concrete installations. Meanwhile, commercial asphalt repair professionals work to sustain such a setup.

 

Overall Strength

Concrete is a lot stronger than asphalt, making it a top choice for parking lots. Because of its durability, concrete can withstand the weight of many vehicles, heavy traffic use and day-to-day passerby. No store owner wants a cracked, crumbling asphalt lot. If any areas sustain damage, a commercial asphalt resurfacing job can completely fix it. These contractors work on a project-to-project basis, too, so every service request is fulfilled with a high attention to detail.

 

Cost-Effectiveness

A lot of businesses choose concrete over asphalt due to its sheer cost-effectiveness. While asphalt might cost less initially, it isn’t as sustainable—price-wise—over the long term. Business owners will find that concrete surfaces can be maintained for far less, freeing their annual budgets to focus on other improvements, invest in other areas and balance their store’s needs in much more effective ways.

 

Your business’s parking lot is a huge asset. Once you’ve acquired a commercial space, the parking area becomes your responsibility. It’s your job to create a safe, cost-effective and long-lasting space for your coworkers and customers alike. Make sure your parking area is constructed with the right material, and secure the many benefits of a concrete installation.

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6 Tips to Protect Your Asphalt Driveway During the Winter

Winter is fast approaching, and as you no doubt already know, winter can be very hard on asphalt. If you have an asphalt driveway, you should take precautions to protect it before the winter comes. Of course, you should also take certain precautions during the winter. These precautions include repairing all the cracks, covering the driveway with sealants, patching holes, estimating the traffic, and clearing debris off the driveway. To learn more about protecting your driveway during the winter, read on.

Repair All Asphalt Cracking

If you have any cracks in your driveway that have not already repaired, you should repair them before the first snow of the year. If snow and ice gets in the cracks, that may make the problem worse. This is especially true if the snow melts, then refreezes in the cracks. It will make the cracks worse and possibly destroy the asphalt completely. If this happens, you’ll have to replace the entire driveway, which can be quite expensive.

Protect Driveway with Sealants

If you haven’t already, you should apply a sealant to your driveway. This sealant will protect your driveway from snow, ice, water, dirt, and debris. You can have a commercial asphalt repair professional apply the sealant. This may be the most effective way to go about doing this. However, you can also purchase sealant yourself at the local hardware store and apply it on your own. This will save you money, but you will Iikely not be able to do it as effectively as a professional.

 Patch Holes

Just as you want to repair any cracks before winter comes, you should also patch any holes in the driveway. If you don’t, you may see similar negative effects to not repairing cracks, only worse. The weight of the snow and or ice on your driveway can cause the holes to become worse to the point where they go completely through the asphalt. If this happens, you will likely have to replace your driveway’s asphalt entirely or get commercial asphalt resurfacing.

 Estimate Increased Traffic

Most of the damage caused to your asphalt driveway is wear and tear from normal use. It’s always a good idea to estimate more traffic then you actually expect to get. This means that you’ll be prepared if there actually is an increase. You can prepare for increased traffic by applying heavy-duty sealants and patching holes and repairing cracks thoroughly with the highest quality materials. If you do this, there is a lesser chance that your driveway will sustain serious damage if traffic does actually increase during the winter. Of course, this will help extend the life of your driveway far beyond the upcoming winter, as well.

 Clear Debris Before Winter By Shoveling  Regularly 

Clearing debris off of your driveway before the cold weather hits is one often overlooked aspect of preparing your asphalt for the winter. It is important to clear the debris off for several reasons. First of all, the debris may become frozen to the driveway when it gets cold, which will make it impossible to remove. This could result in permanent damage to the driveway if the debris contains chemicals that can eat through asphalt. You should also make sure to clear debris during the winter by shoveling it off your driveway on a regular basis.