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3 Winter Repairs You Should Be Making

Improving the lot around your business is important for economic growth. A number of things can go wrong in the winter with all the ice, snow, and rain, and there are repairs that businesses should be making to their lot. This will help prevent flooding and damage to the property, as well as increase customer safety.

Pothole Repair

Pothole repair is needed because it helps with improved curb appeal. If the parking lot is well maintained, it can convey to customers that you are a responsible business owner and value customer safety. Repairing potholes also saves money, since potholes that go unrepaired pose a risk for future damage that can be more expensive. Pothole repair is important for the safety of your customers and employees and can be a trip hazard for pedestrians. Businesses will be held liable for these injuries. Pothole repair can be difficult in the winter, but temporary repairs need to be made in order to ensure that drivers can get safely to the business. For temporary repairs, a cold mix asphalt should be used. This mix works especially well if the temperature is below the recommended level and it’s an emergency. All ice, moisture, and debris should be removed from the area before beginning the repair.

Catch Basin Repair

Catch basins and storm drains play an important role, especially in the winter with all the run off. Catch basins will catch and prevent contaminants from entering the drainage system. Without them, debris could enter the system and clog it, which will lead to some serious flooding and a negative effect on the property. If water pools in the lot, then the pooling on the asphalt can lead to the deterioration of the pavement. When water enters the joints it can cause the mortar to pop out and repairs are needed. Sometimes even cracks appear near the perimeter to allow more water to get in. Depending on the damages, repairs can extend from patching up asphalt around the perimeter to a complete structure repair.

Cracksealing

Winter is the perfect time for cracksealing because pavement expands and contracts with seasonal temperature changes. This means that joints and cracks are expanding when the pavement moves. Cracksealing is preventative winter road maintenance that is meant to extend the life of the pavement. It’s important to seal up cracks because cracks can allow for water and other materials, such as dirt, debris, and sand, to get into the pavement structure. These cracks will then accelerate the weakening and deterioration of the payment. With the proper seal cracking, and when properly executed, it can help extend the life of the payment from six months to four years. Before beginning any cracksealing, the area should be clear of any moisture, debris, vegetation, or dirt, in order for it to be the most effective. If using heat, be careful not the scorch the pavement and note that the sealant needs to be placed in the pavement before the crack cools to allow for it to adhere best. The entire crack should be filled and then leveled to make sure that the payment remains smooth. It’s important that any repair material or sealant is only applied only within the manufacturer’s recommended application temperature, otherwise it won’t work. More sealant isn’t always better. Too much can lead to problems when paving over. Cracksealing is important because it can buy time and help save money by delaying the expense of other major reconstructive work.

 

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

Resurfacing Concrete With Asphalt

Concrete is an inexpensive building material that shows up in a number of domestic and commercial applications. It is often used for floors, driveways, sidewalks, and even parking lots. However, concrete has limitations. These problems may show up over time or as the concrete weathers:

  • Unsightly staining. This can range from mold to spilled garage chemicals to simple weathering that gives it a dull look.
  • Cracks. These may start from impacts, extreme temperatures, or water. They can start out small but, if not addressed, will spread and worsen.
  • Surface pitting. This kind of damage, which may come from sources like weather or chemical contact, makes the concrete vulnerable to cracking. It is also unsightly.
  • Potholes. These can develop and worsen during use.
  • Bulges. They may appear after a winter and hint at potential water damage. Bulges also stress and weaken the concrete in these areas.
  • Erosion. If you see erosion in the earth under the edges of the concrete, this is a sure sign of water flowing down there.

What can you do if you notice these issues? Can you prevent trouble before it develops? In both cases, you may want to resurface your concrete with asphalt.

What is Asphalt Resurfacing?

Asphalt resurfacing involves placing a solid layer of asphalt over the existing concrete. It does not involve removing the concrete or randomly patching problems. Resurfacing creates a smooth surface that is pedestrian and vehicle friendly. It also does not allow water to seep in and cause damage.

What Are the Advantages of Asphalt?

Asphalt has a number of advantages over concrete. These include:

  • Price. Asphalt is often a more budget-friendly solution than pouring new concrete. It may be half the price or less.
  • Durability. Due to how it’s made, asphalt tends to hold up better to harsh weather. If you live in an area with intense winters, asphalt may be the better choice.
  • Easy maintenance. Asphalt is easy to remove snow and ice from. It holds up better to road salting. Snow and ice melt faster on this heat-retaining surface. Finally, due to the color, it does not show stains as much.
  • Easy repair. When concrete gets damaged, you will typically need to replace or resurface it. Meanwhile, asphalt can be directly repaired. The material bonds well to patches and new areas. This makes it easy to repair cracks and other damage.
  • Quick installation. Asphalt has a noticeably quicker time for installation, making it a great fit for businesses that don’t want to shut down for very long.
  • Repaving is easy. Because asphalt is made of a number of layers, it is straightforward to remove and replace just the surface.

Take it To the Pros

When it comes to surfaces you walk and drive on, you want to make sure it gets done right the first time around. It’s vital to create a smooth surface that won’t harm tires or cause people to trip. Large areas like parking lots may require banking so water drains properly. It’s also important that the surface creates a seal, keeping water out. Water can cause a lot of damage, especially during freezing winters.

This is why it’s essential to hire experienced professionals. The right company can evaluate what your home or business needs. They’ll give you a quote and get the job done quickly.

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8 Easy Ways To Improve Business Curb Appeal

The outward appearance of your business plays a vital role in making a first impression—whether good or bad. Before deciding to walk inside, potential customers will form a subconscious opinion based on how it looks on the outside. By making a few simple adjustments, your storefront can become considerably more welcoming. Here are eight ways to enhance your curb appeal, simply and affordably:

 

1. Effective Signage

Make sure you invest in a sign that has your business name, logo, and website and/or phone number. This should be large enough so it’s easy to read from the street, and minimal without being too wordy. Stick to no more than three colors.

 

2. Spruce It Up

Trim hedges, sweep the sidewalk and porch, and wash your windows so they sparkle and shine. Go around and do any paint touch-ups where needed. Placing a couple of large potted plants on either side of the entrance adds a splash of life and beauty.

 

3. Embellish the Front

Think about adding a pretty new awning over your entrance to provide shade and shelter, or maybe installing a brand new front door. If that’s not in the budget, painting your existing door a vibrant color adds a fun touch and offers a warm, inviting welcome.

 

4. Parking Lot

If your establishment has a parking lot that accommodates several cars, consider having parking lines painted on or existing ones touched up. Follow up with seal coating to protect it from cracking and potholes. In addition, having a well-lit parking lot is much appreciated and helps customers feel safe.

 

5. New Concrete

How does your sidewalk look? If it’s chipped or cracked, you might consider hiring someone to repair or replace the damaged areas. Not only does a smooth, clean walkway make a great impression, it’s a good idea that can prevent any potential accidents from happening—something you definitely don’t want on your business property. Another way to boost your business kudos is to provide accessibility for disabled visitors, such as a installing a wheelchair ramp.

 

6. Help Out Neighbors

If your business is among other shops in in a strip mall, offer to tidy up for those around you who might need it. Being a good Samaritan for your work neighbors is a nice gesture as well as a way to improve upon the looks of your storefront area.

 

7. Offer a Sale

If you run a retail business, consider placing a few clearance items outside or some interesting items displayed in the window that will attract customers. According to a recent survey, 20% of the purchases made by American adults are done on impulse. Here’s your chance to lure them in with some offers they cannot resist!

 

8. Percent Off or Limited Time Offers

Everyone loves a bargain, and what better way to get potential customers through the door than with a large, “50% Off Today Only” sign? A sale—especially one with a limited time offer—brings a sense of urgency and gets people to buy.

 

These are just a few easy ways to improve the visual appeal of your business that will make a considerable impact on the perceived value, without spending a lot of time or money.

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

4 Ways Asphalt Paving in Colorado Helps the Community

Asphalt paving is a vital part of the transportation infrastructure for Colorado. This type of pavement provides a safe, cost-effective and environmental friendly for the roads, bridges and parking areas. It plays a significant role in the Colorado community. Asphalt pavements is a combination of aggregates of stone, gravel or sand that are bound together using some asphalt cement, which is derived from crude oil.

A large percentage (94%) of American roads and highways are paved with asphalt. Construction and maintenance of these smooth asphalt pavements is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and completely recyclable. They offer a safe and long-lasting surface for all types of transportation modes such as foot trails, bike trails, roads and airport runways.

Some benefits of asphalt paving are:

1. Quieter Roads

Noise pollution is everywhere. One of the best ways to lower road noise is to deal with the issue at its source. By using asphalt pavements on roadways, noise in residential areas and businesses can be lowered significantly. Stone Matrix Asphalt can reduce road noise by 3-5 dB(A). Using asphalt to combat highway noise is even more effective than noise barrier walls.

2. Recyclable

Asphalt pavement and processing facilities have very low carbon footprint. Asphalt Pavement Alliance says that production of asphalt pavements emits less greenhouse gases compared to other concrete pavements. Asphalt pavements are highly recycled in America. 100 million tonnes of this type of pavements are reclaimed every year, and out of that, more than 95 percent is recycled or reused, thus saving the taxpayers money and less use of landfills.

Sustainability is very important in today’s society. Asphalt can be used over and over again, like an infinite life cycle. This one of the biggest reasons why asphalt is popularly used across the country. Most companies strive to use environment friendly materials; the recyclable nature of asphalt makes it a great product.

3. Create new jobs

A career in the asphalt industry means job security. Road construction is always happening in Colorado; new roads are being installed while existing roads require regular maintenance to enhance safety. From repairing potholes, to filling cracks, asphalt contractors are always busy trying to keep the Colorado roads clear, smooth and safer for drivers. Furthermore, construction of new business buildings means a need for parking lots installation as well as regular maintenance, which means job security in this field is great.

The asphalt pavement industry offers: local jobs that are usually pay well and last for long, heightened community transport infrastructure, improved standards of living for the local people, eco-friendly products, and economic development.

4. Asphalt is great for winter roads

Winter can be hard on pavements; the freezing, thawing, deicers, plowing and the immense weight of plow trucks contribute more to the damaging effects of the cold weather. However, some pavements can hold up better than other during this season.

Extreme winter weather can ruin paved surfaces. Asphalt pavement is not only quick to install, but is resistant to harsh weather too. Asphalt roadways can be able to withstand cold temperatures during weather in both the low traffic and high traffic areas.

Hot-mix asphalt is the best when it comes to ensuring that the roadways are free of potholes and cracks during winter. It is asphalt pavement that is poured immediately after mixing aggregates of sand and stone with petroleum on to the road while the mixture is still hot. The hot-mix asphalt is strong and long-lasting, resistant to freezing and thawing, not affected by deicing agents, flexible, cost-effective, and needs little maintenance.

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The Cost of Drainage Issues on Your Pavement

Pavements are important to our contemporary lives by providing a smooth surface onto which we can transport goods and people as well as communicate with each other. Therefore, it is important to keep your pavements in optimal shape. This can be achieved through proper drainage. It is considered the element that ensures a long lived quality pavement. Problems can occur due to moisture accumulation in any structural layer of the pavement.
Long-term problems can not only be caused by standing water from heavy rain or sprinklers but also from underground water, which is harder to detect. Cracks in the pavement provide a way for the ground water to seep into the parking lot from below the surface. Some of the drainage issues affecting pavements include;

Winter Liability
During winter months, your pavement can quickly fill up with ice formed by seeping groundwater. The people walking here may be in danger of injury resulting in liabilities for you and your business. It may also make it difficult to control a vehicle as hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 35 MPH.

Water ponding
This refers to the collection of water at deteriorated shoulders or pavements. Ponding can be caused by a backup in the drainage system or an insufficient cross slope. The pavement’s original cross slope can be affected by both maintenance and traffic activities. It is especially hazardous at intersections a driver will require greater distances to stop. It is also dangerous in wheel paths or ruts. Wheel ruts are caused by traffic, especially heavy truck traffic, resulting in bituminous pavement movement to the wheel path sides. They are noticeable and run parallel to the pavement’s centerline.
Ponding can cause drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists to divert paths, often encroaching the opposing lane. This endangers their lives as well as the lives of opposing motorists. Ponding contributes to the rutting of stabilized soil and deterioration of the pavement edge resulting in additional safety hazards. Vegetation growth and debris build-up can cause shoulder to scour and edge drops when the pavement edge traps water.

Shoving
Occurring frequently at stop locations such as intersections, this pavement condition results in the pavement having a series of ridges running across it. These ridges are hazardous when wet and dry as they can retain water and cause a vehicle’s wheels to bounce respectively. This bouncing decreases braking ability and reduces the pavement’s contact with the wheels.

Issues with Maintenance
Sealers may not work as they should due to the water and leak impact on asphalt. Wet asphalt does not enable the adhesion of sealant. The sealant will re-emulsify and be easily tracked into stores or cars. You can experience difficulties in maintenance due to poor location, trapped debris, flat grades causing clogging of pipes, and low-flow conditions lacking self-cleansing velocities.

Long Term Damage
Standing water may result in structural damage which is long-term and costly. Lack of adequate maintenance can also result in long-term, costly damage. The weakening of entire areas will happen first, then falls and large cracks will occur. Not short-term fixes will be available for potholes.

Drainage issues can be hard to detect, but they result in some costly mistakes. You should strive to prevent the accumulation of these small issues before they develop into major problems.