By admin Asphalt Paving • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Top Five Reasons To Repair The Potholes In Your Parking Lot

Small business owners have a lot of weight on their shoulders. They always have to watch for the angles to increase revenue. They have to manage staff, customers, vendors, and government regulators.

Cutting costs is always on the menu, but only in a way that does not reduce customer satisfaction. On top of all this, they must keep the concrete parking lots and buildings in good condition. As a manager or business owner, you probably understand this balancing act.

Here are five reasons you might want to prioritize repairing the potholes in your parking lot.

Managing The First Impression

For the customers who don’t find you on the internet, the parking lot is part of their first impression. People driving by watch your building and parking lot for signs of prosperity. Potential customers begin judging the experience the moment they drive onto your property.

Maintaining a smooth parking lot is as necessary to customer experience as keeping the floors clean. You wouldn’t let your customers wade through piles of trash, would you?

Disrepair Only Gets Worse

Not spending $50 today can often cost you $100 tomorrow. It can be true in health care and car maintenance, and it is true with parking lots.

If you don’t fix the potholes now, they will only get bigger with time. Eventually, they will get so bad that you will have to replace the entire parking lot. Fixing the damage at your first opportunity will save you money in the long run.

Avoiding Lawsuits for Damage

Most tires can roll over very small potholes without a problem. But consistent car traffic contributes to the severity of the broken concrete. Rain, snow, salt, and extreme heat can also combine to do additional damage. Before long, the dent is large enough for tires to physically fall inside.

That places your business at risk for angry customers with damaged rims and tires. The last thing you need is more expenses.

Avoiding Lawsuits for Injury

It is true that a pothole can often grow for a while before it is large enough to damage a car. But your customers and employees can trip over holes a lot smaller. Every time someone stumbles they risk serious injury.

Your enterprise is required to provide a certain level of safety for visitors. Bodily harm due to uneven, broken pavement can damage your reputation and cost your business money.

The Weather Is Right

Weather extremes can be a big problem for your concrete. The summer heat causes your concrete to expand and buckle. This buckling effect is one cause of initial lot damage. Cracks often form where the concrete is unable to expand further.

Winter’s cold weather can have the opposite impact, although not to the same extent. Winter also adds salt and water erosion, which can make the holes worse.

Autumn is the perfect time to repair damaged concrete. The weather is more moderate, giving the ground time to settle.

It Makes Good Business Sense

Why take the risk of causing injuries or damaging equipment? Why wait until small holes in the pavement become huge eyesores? You owe it to your investment to keep your property in the best condition. Contact a concrete repair specialist today, while the problem is still manageable.

By admin Asphalt Paving • • • • • 0 Comments

The Life Cycle of an Asphalt Parking Lot and How to Care for It During the Different Stages

Starting from the day it officially opens, an asphalt parking lot will progress through various stages, and as the owner or caretaker of one, you must be able to employ the maintenance measures necessary to prolong its life.

How much you need to do will vary depending on which stage of the life cycle of asphalt your parking lot is currently at. To understand more about what kind of asphalt maintenance methods you need to employ, please read on.

First Stage: Years 0 to 5

It will likely be a while before you have to do any kind of major maintenance on your asphalt parking lot beyond regularly cleaning it. Asphalt is a remarkably durable material and for at least the first five years, it should hold up very well.

Still, you can’t just turn a blind eye to the parking lot. What you need to watch for here are unexpected impacts that could significantly damage the surface of the asphalt.

Something heavy falling on the asphalt could cause cracking. It would be better to address that right way if you want to keep the surface in good condition for decades to come.

Second Stage: Years 5 to 7

At around the 5 to 7-year mark, you should see that the asphalt surface itself is still mostly in good shape, but this is also the point when smaller cracks may form.

Small cracks are inevitable, but they should not go unaddressed. Otherwise, they could be the reasons why your parking lot falls into disrepair sooner than expected.

Here is where you can employ maintenance measures such as crack sealing and seal coating.

Per Nashville.gov, crack sealing involves using hot-pour crack sealant on the asphalt. Meanwhile, seal coating refers to the maintenance method that utilizes both an asphalt emulsion coating and a coal tar sealer, according to The Balance.

Both methods are meant to patch up any openings that have emerged on the surface of the asphalt.

Third Stage: Years 7 to 15

Because of the maintenance measures you used in the second stage, the third stage of the asphalt life cycle should prove easy enough to navigate. Here, you may again have to perform crack sealing and seal coating to fix the noticeable blemishes that have shown up.

Given that this stage stretches across a longer period of time, don’t be surprised if you end up having to perform those maintenance measures more than once.

You may even have to perform some patch repairs. This will typically involve cleaning out the cracks and then filling them up with patching compounds.

Fourth Stage: Years 15 to 25

By the time you enter the fourth stage of the asphalt parking lot’s life cycle, you should be glad if all you have to do is just patch a few cracks. Chances are that the asphalt has been used enough that larger fissures have formed on it.

Crack sealing and seal coating may no longer be enough at this stage, and patch repair may be too inefficient to serve as a workable solution.

What you can do is either apply a new coat of asphalt to cover the larger cracks or perhaps resurface the entire parking lot.

You can enlist the help of a milling machine to remove the old asphalt and set a new surface in place with the aid of a paving machine.

Fifth Stage: Years 25 and Beyond

You are now in the final stage of the parking lot’s life cycle and here, the damage that has accumulated on the asphalt may simply be too significant. You can try resurfacing again, but inspect the parking lot closely first. There may be big enough gashes underneath the asphalt that resurfacing will not suffice.

To ensure the safety of everyone using the parking lot, the smart move here would be to look into not just introducing new asphalt but perhaps even rebuilding the structure itself.

Conclusion

The life cycle of asphalt can extend over decades, but it is important to remember that it will only last that long if you care for it properly. Pay close attention to the asphalt as it continue to age and use whichever measures necessary to keep it in the best condition possible.

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The Importance of Removing Oil From Your Commercial Parking Lot

Maintaining a clean commercial parking lot is key to your success. Cleaning up motor oil is particularly important, as it not only damages your greatest asset but ultimately hurts your bottom line. There are three distinct advantages to quickly cleaning oil spills as part of regular pavement maintenance.

Extending the Life of Your Pavement

Asphalt is made from petroleum mixed with stones, sand, gravel and binders. In order for it to perform properly, the mixture of ingredients has to be just right and remain stable over time. Motor oil from vehicles changes the composition of asphalt if you don’t clean it up. This makes the pavement break down, leading to potholes.

You may not want to make the initial investment in cleaning up oil spills yourself or hiring a professional, but keep in mind that maintaining your parking lot isn’t that different from maintaining the roof on your home or other expensive asset. Keeping your parking lot in good shape means not having to shell out thousands of dollars down the road to make repairs.

Attracting Customers

A clean space is more likely to attract customers to any business. Looking in at smooth, clean pavement makes potential customers feel more comfortable about parking, and they may just turn in without even thinking about other options. A parking lot full of oil stains and potholes may keep that blinker off until they see a more attractive option. They may also feel comfortable throwing down their own trash in a lot that already seems dirty.

If uncleaned oil spills do in fact lead to potholes, customers now have another reason to keep driving. They are not likely to risk damage to their expensive vehicles and face costly repairs if there are better options available.

Helping Develop a Pavement Preservation Plan

Your commercial parking lot represents some, or all, of your income, so it is important to take care of it just as you would a building or other asset. Part of taking care of your investment is having a long-term plan to maintain its health so you can predict, and count on, future revenue. You should know your lot inside and out, including the age of the pavement, what repairs are already completed, what repairs should be in the immediate works, and how long you have before future repairs.

By failing to remove oil stains, you throw a curve ball into your future pavement maintenance plans. You may think you have some time before you have to spend the money for repairs, but that timeline moves up if you have damage due to oil leaks that were left behind. Keeping up with cleaning efforts means creating a much better chance that you can accurately predict your future income. Even an average of one lost parking spot per month due to repairs from oil damage impacts your bottom line.

There are many good reasons to quickly remove oil from your commercial parking lot, and failing to do so not only has individual effects, but cumulatively can cut severely into your bottom line. Spend the time and money on proper maintenance to protect your investment in the long term.

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Five Reasons To Seal and Finish Your Sidewalks

We usually think of wood and plastic when it comes to frequently used materials in the world. However, concrete is quickly becoming one of the most popular items used, especially for sidewalks found everywhere. For businesses, protecting their investment is a priority. When it comes to sidewalks,  it’s essential to finish and seal them to get the most extended lifespan possible. Here are a few reasons why you need to consider concrete sealing.

Stops Mold Growth

Concrete is a porous substance, which creates the likelihood of mold formation. Excess moisture will build-up without protecting your sidewalks. Even smaller cracks can be the culprit of mold growth that could turn your property into an unsightly green color.  Keeping your sidewalks sealed will prevent cracking that eventually lead to mold overtaking your entire sidewalk. You want extra moisture out? Get it sealed.

Durability 

In most areas of the United States, extreme weather is not uncommon. High or low temperatures and various kinds of precipitation can take a beating to your sidewalk.  Again, cracking can become an issue as well as compromising its overall structure. Concrete sealing provides an answer for the sustainability of your sidewalks for years to come!  Taking this extra step can eliminate additional maintenance and unnecessary expenses. In any region you live in, you’ll feel confident that concrete sealing is your answer for the protection you need.

Longer Lifespan

Could there be a better reason than longer lifespan as a reason why you should consider concrete sealing? Concrete already has a better than average lifespan, but it is still susceptible to cracking, mold formation, and losing its luster. Damage to concrete is usually created because of an excess of moisture or water penetration. Applying a sealer to your sidewalk essentially makes it waterproof, meaning you’ll reap the benefits of a functional sidewalk for decades.

Aesthetically Appealing 

Unfortunately, concrete can become discolored when it is exposed to extreme weather. The result can make sidewalks look lifeless, old, and unappealing to anyone who sees it. It’s often said that you don’t get a second chance to make a great first impression. The same statement holds water when you are the owner of any property. When you have a business, first impressions are critical to the long-term success of your operation. You want potential customers to feel good about what they see.  When you choose concrete sealing, any additional water, sunlight, or mold will be far less likely to get down deep inside your sidewalk. A beautiful exterior for years to come awaits!

Lifelong Insurance!

Concrete sealing will make your sidewalks unable from being stained. It’s almost impossible for spills to happen along any sidewalk, but you won’t have to worry about damage or any fading that could occur. Concrete sealing is meant to serve as a permanent solution to eliminate any possible breakdown in the structure.

Sealing and finishing your concrete will involve a small investment, but the long term benefits will undoubtedly put money in your pocket. When you want a long-lasting solution for your sidewalks, there are tremendous benefits when it comes to concrete sealing. Concrete is an essential substance in the world of construction, but it also needs to be appropriately maintained. Consider these reasons before you decide to forgo on this necessary task.

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Common Concrete Issues

Concrete is a common material used due to its durability and versatility. Under the right conditions, it is a sustainable material. But, there are numerous common concrete problems, which can prevent concrete from attaining its longevity. Recognizing these problems and understanding the solutions can improve the overall performance of concrete. The common concrete problems include dusting, blistering, plastic shrinkage cracking, discoloration, and scaling.

Dusting

Dusting on concrete occurs when a hardened concrete surface appears as a powdery material. Laitance, which is a layer of cement, water, and fine aggregates is the primary reason why dusting occurs on concrete. The laitance layer is weak, porous, and thin. As a result, the laitance makes the hardened concrete surface vulnerable and weak.

Other reasons why dusting appears include improper cure of the concrete surface, exposing the concrete to carbon dioxide while it is in a plastic state, and conducting finish operation on the concrete surface while it still has bleed water—this is water that separates itself from the concrete.

To avoid these problems, proper concrete curing procedures should always be followed; equipment that produces carbon dioxide should always be vented while the surface is in the plastic state, and the finishing operation should always be conducted on the concrete surface after bleed water has been removed.

Blistering

Blistering appears on a hardened or fresh concrete surface as bumps. These blisters occur when bleeding water or entrapped air rises to the sealed concrete surface. Blistering of concrete surfaces is problematic, as it causes the concrete to break easily under stresses like traffic. Other reasons why blistering occurs include excessive or inadequate use of vibration during concrete compaction, setting concrete surfaces over the vapor barrier, and sealing the concrete surface early.

To prevent blistering from occurring, appropriate concrete compaction procedures have to be followed, if possible, concrete should not be placed over vapor barriers, and trowel blades must be kept flat at all times to avoid sealing the concrete surface early.

Plastic Shrinkage Cracking

Plastic shrinkage cracking occurs when a crack appears on fresh, hardened concrete surfaces. Like the name suggests, these cracks develop while the surface is still in the plastic state. These cracks occur when the concrete surface experiences a rapid loss of water before it sets. Although plastic shrinkage cracking is an aesthetics issue and not a structural issue, these cracks end up allowing chemicals to penetrate the surface, and this can result in structural problems later on.

The loss of water on concrete surfaces can occur due to several reasons like low relative humidity, high winds, and high concrete temperature or ambient air. To avoid these conditions, ensure you use fog spraying equipment, windscreens and windbreaks should be installed, and always avoid placing concrete at midday.

Discoloration

Discoloration of concrete can occur due to various reasons like material exposure, weather conditions, and even the curing time. Although concrete discoloration may look aesthetically unpleasing, there are numerous ways you can repair these issues. The first method is using a concrete cleaner. These will help give the concrete a better and natural look. If that does not work, you consider using a concrete stain.

Scaling

Scaling on concrete surfaces occurs when the surfaces start to chip or flake away. This is usually because of freeze-thaw, water seepage, poor concrete finishing, or weak concrete surfaces. To repair scaling issues, use trowel-grade light coat, as it helps fill the scaled area. Also, ensure that you seal your concrete at all times, as this helps to reduce scaling significantly.