By admin Asphalt Paving • • 0 Comments

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.

By admin Asphalt Paving • • 0 Comments

Asphalt Paving Calculator – What Goes Into The Cost Of Asphalt

If you have a project coming up that requires asphalt, you want to know how much this is going to cost. That way, you can budget accordingly. At the same time, there are a lot of factors that influence the cost of asphalt. What are a few examples?

Asphalt Grade

There are multiple asphalt grades available and each one comes with a slightly different price tag. The top asphalt grade is commonly used for roads and is the most expensive option. Base grade is usually used for lighter traffic areas and is the cheapest option. Commercial grade is in the middle and contains smooth particles and sand.

Asphalt Type

The type of asphalt you use will influence its price. For example, hot mix asphalt is the most common asphalt used in roads. This is an inexpensive option because it uses recycled materials. It is also flexible, making it easier to install. Warm mixes use fewer fossil fuels because they are heated to a lower temperature. Therefore, warm mixes are inexpensive as well. Cold asphalt doesn’t require a heating application, so it is affordable.

Asphalt Transport Distance

Distance of the project from the original location of the asphalt will also play a role. The farther the asphalt has to travel to reach the project site, the more expensive it will be. The cost of transport also depends on the weight of the asphalt material as well as its type. The heavier the asphalt is, the more expensive the transportation costs will be.

Asphalt Amount

The more asphalt you need to complete your project, the more expensive it will be. The length, width, and depth of the prepared site will all play a role. This information will be required to give you a quote on your project before you get started. The density of the asphalt mix may also influence the amount you require.

Asphalt Man Hours

Similar to any other manual project, the number of working hours will also influence the cost of the total project. The larger the project, the more time it will take. In addition, it might also require more people, driving up the cost. There will always be specific times used for curing and drying the project, so adding additional contractors can only reduce the project’s time by so much.

Asphalt Market Price

Asphalt prices can vary depending on numerous factors in the market. For example, crude oil prices, the number of current construction projects, environmental regulations, and the state of various economies will all play a role in how much asphalt costs. If you work with a professional asphalt contractor, you can time the project correctly to save money on the cost of asphalt.

The Project Type

Finally, the cost of asphalt will vary depending on the type of project you are carrying out. For example, if you are trying to repair an existing surface, you might be able to save money by simply repairing existing cracks. On the other hand, if you need to remove the existing surface and pour new asphalt, you may need to enlist the help of additional services. Your contractor should let you know exactly what you need in order to complete your project.

Find the Right Asphalt

These are just a few of the many factors that will influence the cost of asphalt. Work with a trained professional to get the highest quality asphalt at the best price possible.

By admin Snow Removal • • • • 0 Comments

Snow Plow Damage on Asphalt

Living and working in the Snow Belt means having to deal with snow removal yourself, or hiring professional help. Snow piles up fast, therefore, you snow removal solution should be just as effective. This is especially important for businesses as snow piling on roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots mean lost revenues as customers are unable to access the business.

However, companies should consider the negative implications of the snow removal methods they select. These negative implications include liabilities arising from snow removal and safety concerns. The use of snow plows, in particular, may cause damage to sidewalks, roadways and parking lots. Companies should, therefore, have this in mind when they prepare annual budgets. Provisions should be made for the repair of damaged infrastructure. This provision should be made when budgeting for winter expenses and expenditure (which will include the costs of snow removal).

Companies can also be proactive and take steps towards preventing damage to infrastructure during the winter from snow plowing. These steps include;

  • Filling and Sealing Cracks – Before the winter months roll in it will be prudent if an inspection of the infrastructure around you is carried out. This means the parking lot, driveways and sidewalks. Any cracks should be identified and filled. This will prevent the intrusion of water which periodically freezes and thaws during winter making infrastructure more susceptible to damage due to water’s expansion and contraction.
  • Protect from Snow Plows – Again before winter begins to make sure the parking lot, sidewalk or driveway is clear of any objects such as dirt, litter or rocks. These objects can crack the asphalt when run over by a snow plow. Place visible markers at curbs to protect sidewalks and driveways.
  • Shovel often and correctly – Shoveling as soon as it snows minimizes the amount of snow and water on your parking lot at any given moment thus reducing the probability of damage from water thawing and freezing. Ensure the shovel you use does not damage your parking lot, select a shovel that is not sharp.
  • Check Your De-Icer – Carefully select the de-icing agents you will use. Some agents such as rock salt can damage cement and asphalt. Using milder agents is recommended.
  • Repair Potholes – Ensure any potholes detected during winter in your parking lot are repaired promptly. Asphalt can be repaired at a fraction of the cost of traditional repairs using infrared asphalt repairs.

Budgeting for snow removal

Damage from snow plows usually occurs from the scraping of the asphalt by a blade set too low. The scraping action can strip off pavement sealer. Therefore, sealer applications should be included in the budget in order to restore the asphalt once the snow and ice clear.

Quality Snow Removal Solution Investments

The most important investments needed during winter for snow removal will be in personnel and materials. The personnel hired to perform snow removal should be experienced and/or from reputable companies with the know how to minimize damage to infrastructure. Hiring experienced drivers should be a priority. In terms of materials, you will require to invest in suitable de-icing agents and visible markers to guide drivers on where to plow and where not to plow.

Winter is coming. The snow and ice should not surprise you this season. Developing a plan for the prevention of damage and postseason restoration will go a long way towards minimizing costs associated with snow plow damage. Do not wait until you have to replace the whole pavement, instead undertake frequent repairs and maintenance. This will result in significant cost saving in the long run.