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What is Pervious Concrete?

Pervious concrete is just as the name implies – it’s a pavement application that allows stormwater through it so that it can seep into the ground. It’s made in a similar fashion to standard concrete, but without sand or water. Excluding sand and water in the mixture creates voids in the material that allows water to pass through. These voids typically account for 15-25% of the area once it’s hardened.

Although pervious concrete has been around for centuries, it’s only gained popularity in the United States in the last 50 years. It actually gained popularity in Europe after World War II due to a shortage of cement.

 

What are the benefits of pervious concrete?

There are a lot of benefits to using pervious concrete, namely reducing the amount of stormwater runoff that makes its way into the sewers. While this may sound harmless, runoff water picks up a good deal of surface pollutants along the way before it reaches the sewer.

Because pervious concrete reduces the amount of pollution in the water, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) named it a Best Management Practice for Stormwater.

While the chief benefit is its pollution reduction, there’s plenty more upside to using pervious concrete. Reducing surface water means fewer puddles and – in colder climates – fewer icy spots in the cold winter months. Conversely, its light color reduces the amount of heat stored, thus maintaining a lower surface temperature than standard concrete. That means safer walkways and driveways all year.

Pervious concrete is also better for surrounding landscaping, like grass and trees. When the water seeps back into the ground, it supplies the surrounding root systems with valuable water that it would not otherwise get.

 

Where can pervious concrete be used?

Pervious concrete has been most widely used as a pavement material, so concrete contractors are increasingly using it for driveways and walkways. However, it’s worth noting that because of its porous construction, pervious concrete will potentially degrade faster in high-traffic areas.

Don’t let that be a deterrent for you, though. The benefits of using pervious concrete far outweigh the drawbacks. In fact, many cities and towns throughout the United States have begun utilizing pervious concrete for their municipally-owned areas like parks, parking lots, and public walkways.

That it reduces the amount of water and ice that can form at the surface has made pervious concrete an appealing option for roadways as well. Reducing the number of accidents caused by hydroplaning through water or losing control on ice is an immediate benefit to any public roadway.

Keep in mind that there is a bit of maintenance that comes with using pervious concrete. Regular cleaning of the area helps the concrete maintain those voids that allow water to pass through. Again, the long-term benefits of going with pervious concrete for your driveway or walkway should outweigh any drawbacks.

If you’re interested in further exploring pervious concrete, talk to your concrete contractor or concrete company about it. They can help you decide if it’s viable for your specific use case and help you weigh the benefits of pervious concrete versus other options that are available.

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How To Solve Commercial Sidewalk Violations in Colorado

Commercial sidewalks are identified by their colossal pedestrian volumes, active ground floors, street-facing entrances, spillovers of commercial activity, and loading-related activities. They are mostly found on commercial streets, which vary in size from significant streets to small alleys.

In Colorado, many regulations are governing residential sidewalks, commercial sidewalks, and main street sidewalks. It is essential to notice rules and sidewalk violations in Colorado controlling commercial sidewalks to avoid fines and penalties.

Six common sidewalk violations in Colorado

Commercial sidewalks in Denver are vital as they promote pedestrian safety and increase people and goods’ ease of mobility. Sidewalks also encourage business development and recreational activities.

A sidewalk violation is an official notice from the Department of Transport (DOT) stating that the sidewalk is defective and a fine or penalty made, and repairs done to meet the set guidelines. Once you are issued with a violation notice, you will be allotted 75 days to fix the sidewalk or pay the DOT to do it for you.

Below are some of the commercial sidewalk violations in Colorado:

1. Chipped Sides

Chipped sides are sides that have loose chips or serrated sides. They can hurt the feet of those walking on them by causing the user to fall or, in extreme cases, scrub the skin of pedestrians.

2. Cracked Slabs

With time, slabs are subjected to harsh weather, fluctuating temperatures, over-usage, or misuse. Due to inferior quality construction materials such as poorly mixed concrete, they develop lines of cracks or break down unevenly in extreme cases.

The cracked slabs threaten pedestrians as they could strike their feet and cause them to stumble or hurt their feet. In some cases, they could cause certain shoe types to stick in them and damage the shoes, which could evoke resentment from the shoe owners.

3. UNeven Tile Placement

During tile placement, some tiles could be placed at varying levels causing their edges to remain exposed. Such tile placements decrease the aesthetic value of the sidewalk. Those using such sidewalks could trip and get injured. Unevenly leveled slabs also cause poor drainage, which shortens the lifespan of sidewalks.

4. Metal Inlets and Sewer Covers Exposed

Many utility holes, underground maintenance lines, and sewer drainage lines are built into the sidewalk. Exposed covers and inlets of these lines can cause people to stumble as they walk on the sidewalk, especially when they rise. If they’re loose, their exposed side also poses a risk to sidewalk users.

5. Plant and Tree Growth

As trees mature, they develop more prominent and more complex roots, sometimes exposed to sidewalks. The roots can cause people to trip and fall. Furthermore, roots can crack slabs, cause the sidewalk to have chipped sides, or dislodge manhole covers. If the tree is growing close to tiles, it may dislodge the tiles from its base. Trees thus create additional three violations when they expose their roots.

6. Snow and Ice

Sidewalks can turn into dangerous places during winter. Snow and ice cause inaccessibility and discourage movement. Ice could cause pedestrians to slip and get hurt.

How to Bring the Sidewalk Back to Standards

With the correct knowledge and strategy, dealing with sidewalk violations in Colorado can be a piece of cake.

Follow these tips to deal with your sidewalk:

Dealing With Trees That Cause Violations

To deal with the tree roots causing problems, it may be advisable to remove the tree. Cutting down the tree is the first step and has to be followed by removing the stump connected to the roots damaging your sidewalk. To do this, you also have to get a permit from the city.

After removing the tree stump, you could replace the sidewalk or contact asphalt companies to quote the full replacement quotes. Also, remember to replace the tree as they too are essential for the environment.

Do a Complete Overhaul and Replace With Asphalt

Asphalt is a sturdy and uniform substance that is used to make roads and sidewalks. Replacing broken slabs, uneven or broken tiles, and chipped sides with asphalt has the following advantages:

  • Asphalt is continuous; hence any unevenness does not pose any risk to pedestrians
  • Asphalt is rugged and durable in all weathers, which means it rarely cracks, and even when cracks occur, they are minute and cannot harm pedestrians.
  • Asphalt is relatively cheap to purchase, use and also maintain.
  • Using asphalt is faster than using slabs and tiles.
  • Asphalt makes it easier to clear ice and snow during winter.

If you seek to use asphalt, it is recommended to seek certified asphalt companies in Denver. The company should handle the whole replacement process, from acquiring permits to restoring the environment after the overhaul.

Remove Ice and Snow from Sidewalks

The municipal authority of Colorado stipulates that the responsible party of a commercial property should remove ice and snow after 24 hours of snowfall and where snow is greater than 4 inches. Use salt or brine to eliminate the snow, or hire a snow removal company to do the job.

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Subcontractor and Commercial Concrete Contractor : What’s the Difference?

If you are looking for someone who can help you with your upcoming concrete project, you have multiple options available. You might be considering working with a subcontractor or a commercial concrete contractor. What is the difference between these two options? What do you need to know? There are a few key points to keep in mind.

What Is a Subcontractor?

A subcontractor is a company or agent that has been hired by another contractor to help with a specific area of your project. For example, if you hire someone to help you build your house, then your home contractor might hire a subcontractor to handle the electrical work if he or she does not have experience in this area. A construction company might also hire a subcontractor to help with the driveway if he or she does not have someone on the team that can handle that job. The subcontractor reports to the original contractor, not you, if he or she has a question or payment concern. If the contractor hires subcontractors he or she is in charge of them, not you.

What Is a Commercial Concrete Contractor?

Another option is to hire commercial concrete companies. A commercial concrete contractor is someone who has specific training and experience to handle concrete needs as they relate to your project. If you want your project to be done correctly the first time around, then you should go with a commercial concrete contractor.

For example, a commercial concrete contractor will likely be up to date on the latest trends in his or her field. That way, he or she can follow all best practices to deliver the best outcome to you. In addition, if you hire a commercial concrete contractor, then that professional is going to be directly responsible and accountable to you instead of another contractor. This is the biggest difference between hiring a subcontractor and a commercial concrete contractor.

What Are the Top Benefits of Working with Commercial Concrete Companies?

If you decide to work with a commercial concrete contractor, there are a few main benefits that you are going to notice. These include:

  • A commercial concrete contractor has the specialized training and experience required to make sure that your project goes well.
  • A commercial concrete contractor will connections in the industry that he or she can use to make sure that you get the best price possible on all supplies.
  • Commercial concrete companies will also know who else to talk to if you have concerns about other areas of your project.
  • A commercial concrete company will provide you with an accurate estimate and make sure the project is done on time because he or she is accountable to you.

These are the top benefits of working with a commercial concrete contractor. You need to think about these benefits when you are deciding who to hire.

Work with a Professional Commercial Concrete Contractor

These are just a few of the many benefits of working with a commercial concrete contractor if you are looking for help with your concrete project. Make sure that you reach out to a professional commercial concrete contractor with any questions or concerns. If you work with an expert commercial concrete contractor, you will place your project in the best position to be successful.

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Some Tips On New Build Soil Preparation

If you have a new project coming up, you are probably excited; however, you need to make sure the ground is ready to support the new project. One of the most important things you need to think about is the dirt on which the property will go. If the soil has not been prepared properly, you will run into issues with your project. What are a few tips you need to keep in mind in order to make sure the construction process moves smoothly? Take a look below.

Demucking The Soil

First, you need to demuck the soil. You need to dig into the soil to remove organic materials, including peat, that might be present. If there are organic materials present in the soil, it will become weak, causing the material to settle. If you remove organic soil, debris, and other types of muck, you can increase the stability of the soil. That way, you can ensure a uniform load capacity across the entire lot.

Determine the Soil Bearing Capacity

Next, you need to determine how much capacity the soil can handle. There are numerous types of soil. A few examples include silt, sandy clay, and regular clay, which are particularly weak. They can only handle about 2,000 pounds per square foot before they start to shift beneath the construction project, placing it at risk. On the other hand, sedimentary rock is incredibly strong, with the ability to withstand 6,000 pounds per square foot before it begins to buckle. All of these types of soil can show up in the same climate zone, so investigate the type of soil you are building on before the project gets started.

The Permeability of the Soil

You also need to think about the permeability of the soil. If there are gaps between the particles of soil, water and air can flow through it. Different types of soil have different degrees of permeability. The permeability of the soil plays a role in risks related to erosion, compaction, and flooding. You should hire a professional to assess the permeability of the soil because it can play a role in the success of your project.

Ensure the Stability of the Ground

Finally, you also need to think about how stable the lot is. If the lot is not stable, your foundation could fail, placing the entire building project at risk. You should think about how much weight your soil can accommodate, if there are also loose elements that need to be removed, and how deep the foundation has to be poured to support the rest of the construction project. You need to pour the foundation down to the frost line. Research this prior to the beginning of the project.

Get the Soil Ready for Your Project

These are a few of the most important tips you need to keep in mind if you are getting the soil ready for a new project. There are a lot of factors that will play a role in how quickly your project proceeds; however, you need to make sure the project gets off to a good start. You can make that happen by preparing the soil properly. Do not hesitate to reach out to trained professionals if you have questions about the soil’s readiness for your project. You should also reach out to asphalt preparation experts who can help you prepare the soil for your next construction project.

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Who Pays for Building and Maintaining Highways?

As you drive down the road, you may not spend a lot of time thinking about who was responsible for building them. At the same time, the safety, security, and quality of our roads are tremendously important. What would happen if our roads were not well-maintained? You would have a hard time getting where you need to go. Therefore, if you are having issues with local roads and highways, who is responsible for building and maintaining them? There are several important points you should keep in mind.

Where Does the Funding Come From?

First, who is responsible for paying people to build and maintain our roads and highways? This usually comes in the form of taxes. Taxes are collected on numerous items. Then, this funding is used to construct our roads. For example, fuel taxes that are collected by the federal, state, and local governments are often used to keep the roads in good working order. And some parts of the country, there are also tolls that are placed on highways and bridges. If tolls are collected, these funds are used to maintain our roads and bridges as well.

Who Hires People To Build and Maintain Roads?

So, who makes the hiring decision? Who is responsible for hiring people to build and maintain our roads? The vast majority of roads and bridges fall under the responsibility of state and local governments. Even though the federal government does play a role, most professionals are hired by state and local governments to work on our roads and bridges. Therefore, it is responsible for those making hiring decisions to make sure they hire the right people for the job. That is where local contractors are essential.

Local Contractors Do the Vast Majority of the Work

When it comes to roads and bridges, the best people for the job are local contractors. Local contractors have the training and experience necessary to build and maintain our roads and bridges. For example, anyone who is planning on laying out a new road for the first time will have to work with contractors who can help them find the right material for the job.

Then, if a repair is needed down the road, this is something else that is also handled by a local contractor. It is critical to make sure the repair is completed properly on the first attempt. That is why state and local officials have to work with professional local contractors, placing them in the best positions possible to do their jobs well.

Enlist the Help of Superior Aggregates

If you want to make sure that your roads are constructed properly, then you have to work with a local asphalt company. With the help of a professional asphalt contractor, you can rest easy, knowing that your roads are going to be constructed properly on the first attempt. That is where Superior Aggregates can help you. We have an unparalleled level of experience when it comes to working with roads of all shapes and sizes. We can anticipate problems before they develop, circumventing them before they derail the project. If you want your project completed on time and under budget, it would be our pleasure to assist you. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you!