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How To Treat Oil Spots On Asphalt Parking Lots Or Driveways

No one likes to see oil spots on the driveway or in a parking lot. They are not pleasant to see and challenging to clean. Oil spots on asphalt can do more than just look unattractive. They can cause extensive damage to the asphalt. However, there are some ways to treat it once there are oil spots on the asphalt.

Option #1 – Fresh Oil Spots

When there are new oil spots on your driveway or parking lot, these are the easiest ones to clean. A new oil spot on asphalt is a stain on the surface. The best way to clean this is to use detergent to scrub the oil spot. Once you have completely scrubbed it, you want to rinse it with water thoroughly. This will remove the oil and detergent. Once you have removed the oil spot, you want to add a seal coating layer to protect the asphalt.

If the oil spot is still wet, you can use kitty litter to soak up the oil. You can use an entire bag of kitty litter to cover the stain. Stomp on the kitty litter to help it absorb the oil. Leave the kitty litter on the stain overnight, then scoop up the kitty litter and dispose of the waste. If that does not work, you can use baking soda as that is great for absorbing oil. You can sprinkle the baking soda on the oil and scrub it with a stiff brush. After the baking soda has sat for 30 minutes, rinse it with a hose. You can also use a steam pressure washer to turn the oil into a liquid and whisk it away. This may be the most effective way to remove the oil.

Option #2 – Stains Seeped into Asphalt

When an oil stain sits on asphalt, it seeps into the asphalt. Once this happens, the asphalt material begins to fall apart. It requires more substantial treatment than detergent and water. Oil seeped into the asphalt dissolves the binder, and chunks will start to break off. Once this happens, the asphalt cracks and may make a slight depression in the asphalt. As long as pitting has not occurred in the asphalt, infrared hear can be used for asphalt repair. Once you have used infrared heat to repair the asphalt, you want to add a seal coating layer to protect the asphalt.

Option #3 – New Asphalt is Needed

The damage from the oil stains on the asphalt can be so extensive that they begin to soften the pavement, which means you need to start over again with new asphalt. This requires the impacted area to be cut out with a saw and a patch applied over the area. Once the patch is applied, you should add a seal coating layer to protect the asphalt. This is usually an inexpensive repair, but it is critical to avoid more significant concerns with potholes in the driveway or parking lot.

Option #4 – Prevent Asphalt Damage

The best way to protect your driveway or parking lot from damage is to use seal coating services. This process seals the asphalt so that items such as oil do not penetrate the surface and cause more damage.

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THE LIFECYCLE OF ASPHALT

As with everything, asphalt has a beginning and an end. Understanding asphalt’s lifecycle comes down to understanding how and why asphalt eventually needs to be replaced. That replacement date ultimately comes down to several factors. So, what is asphalt’s lifecycle and what are some of the reasons it needs replacement?

Long before the asphalt is laid down, it gets blended. There are several different formulations and varying price ranges for each. Those formulations are made up of gravel, aggregates, sand, stones, and asphalt, which is itself a combination of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Lower priced asphalt will typically last from 5 to 15 or more years. More expensive asphalt can last up to 25 years or more. However, how the asphalt is laid plays a big role in how long it lasts.

The asphalt mixture is hot mixed and the site is prepared through a series of predetermined steps. First, the area is demolished and the debris is removed with heavy-duty equipment. Next, the area is prepared so that it can accommodate water drainage. The third step involves preparing the sub-base which is then compacted by equipment. The binder is then laid down which is large aggregate mixed with oil. Finally, the top layer of asphalt is added which provides a smooth surface finish.

Asphalt Maintenance

Properly maintained asphalt can last much longer than asphalt that’s left on its own. Proper asphalt repair includes cleaning oil stands, removing rocks and debris, fixing cracks with crack sealing, patching holes, and regularly applying seal-coating. Regular asphalt maintenance goes a long way to extending the asphalt’s life.

However, there are other factors that determine how long the asphalt lasts. One factor includes the amount of traffic the asphalt handles. The weight of that traffic is another factor. Therefore, a high-traffic industrial area where trucks and equipment are present will have a more compound effect on the asphalt than vehicles that weigh less.

The weather and environment are other factors. Extremely cold temperatures can crack the asphalt and the process of freezing and thawing can cause the asphalt to rise and buckle. High heat is also a problem. It can cause the asphalt to expand, thereby exposing soft spots that can easily become large holes. Here is a general breakdown of the lifecycle for asphalt in five separate stages.

Stage 1: 0-5 years

Freshly installed asphalt shouldn’t need any maintenance or upkeep during this initial stage aside from routine seasonal care and general tidying up.

Stage 2: 5-7 years

After the first five years, cracks begin to form in the asphalt and the freshly-paved luster starts to fade. It’s time for some initial maintenance!

Stage 3: 7-15 years

Once your asphalt starts reaching double digits in age, you’ll need to start paying closer attention to regular maintenance.

Stage 4: 15-25 years

This is typically the time in your asphalt’s life when major repairs start becoming more common.

Stage 5: 25 or more years

If your asphalt has made it this far, then congratulations! However, it’s more than likely that now is the time the asphalt has to be replaced.

It’s good practice to continually remove debris and oil stains regardless of which stage the asphalt is in. Doing this will protect your investment and ensure that you’re not forced to cover the costs of replacing the asphalt too early.

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The Benefits of a Career in the Asphalt Industry

When you choose a career with an asphalt company, you become a leader in the construction industry. Think about all the miles of road that there are across the United States and how many of them are paved in asphalt. Millions of people rely on those roads to get them everywhere they need to be. This means that all those people depend on those working in the asphalt industry to keep the roads safe and functional. When a road is closed, it causes delays, frustration, and backups along adjacent roads. Those in the asphalt industry keep their communities moving. There are many benefits to having a career in the asphalt industry.

Job Security

Not many people can say they have job security these days. When you are looking for a career, security is a driving factor. Asphalt companies are not among the businesses fighting for survival. They are not going anywhere. Asphalt has been keeping our highways and roads functioning for just about 150 years. It is just as important now as when it was first used. The existing roads, parking lots, driveways, and other paved surfaces are always going to need maintenance and repair. In addition to existing roads, new roads are constantly created. Without a doubt, the asphalt industry provides job security.

Career Advancement

Each asphalt company has its own setup and style, but no matter which one you choose, there is going to be room for advancement. There are varying levels of knowledge, skill, and experience needed in construction, and asphalt is no different. Most organizations want you to contribute to the company in many different ways. There are many other positions within the asphalt industry, and not all of them are on the job touching the asphalt. There are plant managers, a foreman, laborers, road crew members, researchers, engineers, administration, and other support. Asphalt is not only found in construction. It is also found in civil engineering, technology, and research. Each person is dedicated to the safety and quality of the road system.

Hard-Working Partners

Everyone in the asphalt industry works hard and takes pride in their job. Workers in this industry are dedicated and hard working. To succeed in this industry, you must enjoy working with your hands and being involved in some aspect of construction. The entire team has a work ethic and lives by a higher standard for themselves and the community. Working in the asphalt industry offers a variety of extra perks. These include a well paying job that will last and is in the local area. There usually is not much travel involved with this job. You have the opportunity to contain education and growth into many different positions. You are not stuck forever out on the road pushing a broom. You are supporting and building the infrastructure for the community in which you live. You are using products that are sustainable for the environment. You are able to see the progress and the fruits of your labor on a regular basis.

There is no reason to delay looking for a job in the asphalt industry. You will not regret that decision.

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6 Common Myths About Concrete

Concrete is that all-important material so critical to large-scale industrial, commercial, and residential construction projects. In fact, aside from water, no other material is used more than concrete. Its wide range of uses means it’s the preferred material for concrete companies when erecting standing structures like bridges and buildings.

However, despite how much it’s used, there are some common misconceptions about this universally-adopted material. To clear the air, here are 6 common myths about concrete debunked.

1. Concrete is always a gray color.

While concrete initially has a gray color, it doesn’t necessarily mean that gray will be the final color. There are multiple additives and mineral colors that can be blended into the concrete mixture long before it’s dried. These additives can change the color of the concrete once hardened. This is ideal for residential and commercial projects where maintaining an aesthetic is critical.

2. You can use acid to strip a concrete sealant.

This is perhaps the most common misconception and it’s a dangerous one. Acid should never be used to strip concrete sealant, no matter what the reason. Acid’s corrosive properties can seriously damage the concrete’s integrity and allow water to permeate throughout the concrete. The best solution is to avoid acid altogether and use a solvent or sealant remover.

3. Concrete and cement are the same thing.

No, concrete and cement are not the same. Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Cement is mixed with water, sand, gravel, and other aggregates and additives when making concrete. There are very few applications where cement is used on its own. Cement is a dry powder that acts as a binder for all the additives, water, and aggregates in order to make concrete harden.

4. The higher the compressive strength, the more durable the concrete.

Strength and durability are not the same. Concrete’s compressive strength can vary from a low of 2,500 psi to a high of 10,000 psi. However, strength refers to how much load/weight the concrete can withstand. Durability refers to how long the concrete can maintain that load/weight without degradation (breaking down).

Several conditions can affect the concrete’s durability such as freeze-thaw cycles, corrosion, cracking, and sulfate or chemical reactions. The best way to maintain concrete’s durability is by using a top-notch sealant that helps to keep water and other substances from seeping inside and degrading the concrete.

5. Concrete is impermeable.

Actually, concrete is not impermeable. Concrete is actually porous, which means water, fumes and noxious liquids can pass through the top layer of the concrete relatively easily. This can take anywhere from a day, to a month, or even several years. This is why using a high-quality sealant is so important to protect the concrete from the outside elements.

6. You can lay concrete any time of year.

Unfortunately, you simply cannot lay concrete any time of the year or under all conditions. Extreme weather conditions affect how concrete hardens. Below freezing or excessively hot temperatures will prevent the concrete mixture from properly drying.

Concrete installation shouldn’t be done in the extremely cold winter months or the high heat of summer. Instead, spring and fall are the best seasons for mixing and hardening concrete.

Interested in a proactive, customer-centric partner for your next construction project? If so, contact us now.