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Spring Forward: Essential Asphalt Maintenance for Business Owners

Springtime brings a fresh start, not just for nature but also for businesses, especially those with commercial properties. As the snow melts and the days grow longer, business owners turn their attention to the maintenance and upkeep of their commercial spaces, particularly the asphalt surfaces that play a crucial role in the functionality and aesthetics of their properties. Whether it’s a parking lot, driveway, or walkway, maintaining these surfaces is essential for safety, customer satisfaction, and the longevity of the property. This is where the expertise of asphalt contractors and asphalt companies becomes invaluable.

Introduction: The Significance of Spring Maintenance for Commercial Asphalt

Asphalt maintenance in spring is critical for several reasons. The winter months can be harsh on asphalt surfaces, with the freeze-thaw cycle, snow removal, and the use of de-icing chemicals potentially causing damage. Cracks, potholes, and other surface irregularities can emerge, creating safety hazards and diminishing the appearance of your commercial property. Addressing these issues promptly as part of your spring maintenance routine is where asphalt contractors come into play. These professionals have the experience, equipment, and materials necessary to assess, repair, and protect your asphalt surfaces effectively.

Asphalt companies offer a range of services tailored to the needs of business owners. The first step in spring maintenance is a thorough inspection of the asphalt surfaces. This inspection identifies any damage that occurred during the winter months, including cracks that can allow water infiltration, leading to further deterioration. Asphalt contractors can then perform necessary repairs, such as crack filling, pothole patching, and sealcoating. Sealcoating, in particular, is an essential preventive measure that provides a protective layer against water penetration, UV rays, and chemical spills, extending the life of your asphalt surfaces.

Why Spring Maintenance is Critical for Your Asphalt Surfaces

Beyond repairs, asphalt contractors can also advise on long-term maintenance strategies to ensure the durability and longevity of your asphalt surfaces. This might include recommendations on proper drainage to prevent water accumulation, the use of eco-friendly de-icing agents to minimize chemical damage, and scheduling regular maintenance checks to address minor issues before they become major problems.

Choosing the right asphalt company is crucial for business owners. It’s important to select a contractor with a solid reputation, extensive experience in commercial projects, and a commitment to quality. Look for companies that offer comprehensive services, from inspection and repair to preventative maintenance and advice. Additionally, consider their responsiveness and willingness to understand your specific needs and challenges, as these qualities are indicative of a reliable service provider.

Aligning Asphalt Maintenance with Sustainability and Business Goals

Incorporating asphalt maintenance into your spring routine not only enhances the safety and appearance of your commercial property but also contributes to its value. Well-maintained asphalt surfaces are more inviting to customers, improve the overall image of your business, and can prevent costly repairs down the line. It’s an investment in your property’s infrastructure that pays dividends in safety, aesthetics, and longevity.

Moreover, working with asphalt contractors and companies aligns with broader business goals of sustainability and responsibility. Many asphalt companies now use recycled materials and eco-friendly practices in their operations, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship. By choosing such providers, business owners can contribute to sustainability efforts while ensuring the durability and performance of their asphalt surfaces.

In conclusion, spring maintenance of commercial asphalt projects is a critical task that requires the expertise of professional asphalt contractors and companies. Their specialized services not only address the wear and tear of winter but also prepare your property for the year ahead. By investing in quality asphalt maintenance, business owners can enhance safety, preserve the appearance and integrity of their property, and ensure a positive impression on customers and visitors. As we welcome the renewal season of spring, let’s also embrace the opportunity to renew and protect our commercial spaces with the help of skilled asphalt professionals.

By admin Asphalt Driveway • • • 0 Comments

Innovative Techniques for Protecting Asphalt Driveways from Winter Salt Damage

Winter poses challenges for asphalt driveways, but with strategic techniques, homeowners can safeguard their surfaces from salt damage. Discover these top ten strategies to shield your driveway and ensure its longevity.

Asphalt driveways are susceptible to winter’s harsh conditions, especially the corrosive impact of salt used for de-icing. To counter this threat, homeowners can employ innovative techniques offered by asphalt companies and driveway repair specialists. Let’s delve into the top ten strategies that focus on protecting your asphalt driveway from winter salt damage.

  1. Sealcoating Defense: One crucial defense against winter salt damage is the application of a high-quality sealcoat every few years. This protective layer acts as a formidable barrier, offered by reputable asphalt companies, enhancing the longevity of your driveway and minimizing vulnerability to corrosive salts.
  2. Infrared Asphalt Repair: Addressing existing cracks promptly is essential to prevent salt infiltration. Opt for specialists utilizing cutting-edge infrared technology for asphalt repair. This innovative technique not only efficiently fixes surface imperfections but also creates a seamless and durable surface, making your driveway more resilient against winter salt challenges.
  3. Permeable Asphalt: Eco-friendly options like permeable asphalt offer a dual advantage. Besides being environmentally conscious, these surfaces allow water drainage, minimizing salt accumulation. This reduction in salt exposure contributes to a more robust driveway, reducing the need for frequent repairs. Collaborate with asphalt companies knowledgeable about permeable solutions for optimal protection.
  4. Heated Driveway Systems: Investing in a heated driveway system is a proactive measure that goes beyond conventional de-icing methods. These systems efficiently melt snow and ice, eliminating the need for excessive salt usage. Beyond protecting your asphalt, a heated driveway enhances safety during winter months, providing a comprehensive solution to winter challenges.
  5. Warm Mix Asphalt: Embrace the advancements in asphalt technology, particularly warm mix asphalt. Known for its resistance to cracking, this innovative mix offers durability against the corrosive effects of winter salt. Collaborate with asphalt companies well-versed in incorporating warm mix asphalt to ensure a driveway that can withstand the rigors of winter.
  6. Additives for Protection: During asphalt installation, consider enhancing your mix with additives designed for winter salt protection. Collaborate with asphalt companies experienced in incorporating these additives for optimal results. These additions fortify the asphalt, creating a more resilient surface that can withstand the corrosive impact of salt, extending the life of your driveway.
  7. Proper Drainage Solutions: Efficient drainage is key to minimizing salt exposure. Install a proper drainage system to redirect melting snow away from your asphalt driveway. By reducing the accumulation of salt-laden water, you significantly mitigate the risk of winter salt damage. Consult with experts in driveway installation for a system tailored to your property’s needs.
  8. Porous Asphalt and Pavers: Consider a hybrid design that combines porous asphalt with pavers. This innovative approach provides durability while allowing effective water drainage. The permeable nature of this combination minimizes the impact of winter salt on the driveway, offering a resilient solution that balances functionality and aesthetic appeal.
  9. Environmentally Friendly De-icing: Collaborate with asphalt companies offering eco-friendly de-icing alternatives. These alternatives provide effective ice melting without the corrosive impact of traditional salt. By opting for environmentally conscious de-icing methods, you contribute to protecting both your driveway and the surrounding ecosystem, promoting sustainability in winter maintenance practices.
  10. Reflective Coatings: Integrate reflective coatings into your asphalt surface for added protection. Beyond shielding against UV rays, these coatings act as a barrier against winter salt, contributing to a longer lifespan for your driveway. Consult with asphalt specialists experienced in applying reflective coatings for optimal results in both protection and aesthetic enhancement.

By adopting these innovative techniques, homeowners can fortify their asphalt driveways against winter’s challenges. These strategies, offered by asphalt companies and driveway repair specialists, ensure a resilient surface that stands strong against salt damage, maintaining both functionality and visual appeal throughout the winter months. Take proactive steps to safeguard your driveway and enjoy a pristine and enduring asphalt surface.

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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.