By admin Asphalt Driveway • Snow Removal • • • • 0 Comments

How And When to Salt Driveway or Pavement Surfaces | Snow Removal Pros

Winter is upon us once again, which can only mean one thing – much of the country will soon be bombarded by a plethora of winter storms, if that isn’t already the case.

If you live in a part of the country that experiences all four seasons, you’re no doubt familiar with the trucks that drive around neighborhoods that salt the roadways to keep things safe. Of course, this demands the question – when should you salt your driveway or pavement surfaces, and how do you best go about accomplishing that goal? The answers to questions like those require you to keep a few key things in mind.

Show Removal Basics: Breaking Things Down

One of the most important things to understand about this process in general is that you’ll need to take a very proactive approach when it comes to snow removal.

That is to say, you shouldn’t wait for the snow to fall before you begin taking care of the situation. In a best case scenario, you should put salt down on places like your driveway asphalt and other surfaces prior to the beginning of the storm. Spread salt evenly across your surfaces to make sure that you have equal protection moving forward.

Even if a storm cropped up unexpectedly and snow is already on the ground, don’t worry – you can still put salt down. Yes, it’s true that the poor weather will likely make it more difficult to do so. But especially as the storm drags on, this is very much one of those situations where doing something is better than doing nothing at all.

Especially if you’re dealing with asphalt surfaces, you should be judicious about where you put down salt. While it’s true that products like rock salt can cause long-term damage to concrete, they aren’t nearly as hard on the asphalt itself. This is because asphalt is less porous than concrete is. Because of that, it will hold up better to the application of salt over the long-term. This is also part of the reason why, if you’re thinking about having something like your driveway redone, and you live in an area of the country that experiences significant winter storms, asphalt would certainly be an option that you would want to consider.

Beyond that, knowing how and when to salt your driveway or pavement surfaces requires you to come to a better understanding of how salt actually works in this context. Most of the products that you’re likely to find in a local hardware or home improvement store work by lowering the freezing point of water. This makes it more difficult for ice to form over longer periods of time. This is also a big part of the reason why it’s so important to put salt down prior to any upcoming winter weather – you’re not trying to solve a problem, you’re trying to prevent one from happening at all.

If you are dealing with concrete surfaces, there are other environmentally friendly products that you can consider. They’re less harsh on the concrete than rock salt, although you may not see the results quite as quickly. Likewise, you may have to put more of the product down on the ground than you would with rock salt – although when you consider that you’re preventing damage to your surfaces, that may be worth what many perceive to be a minor inconvenience.

If you’d like to find out more information about how and when to salt driveway or pavement surfaces on or around your property, or if you’d just like to speak to experts at local concrete companies in a bit more detail, please don’t delay – contact us today.

By admin Construction • • • 0 Comments

Types of Commercial Concrete Curbs

There are three main types of commercial concrete curbs: barrier curbs, decorative curbs, and mountable curbs. These curbs all serve very different purposes, so it is important to know the differences if you need curbs for your business. Creating beautiful and properly shaped curbs isn’t easy, so it’s best to go with a concrete company that has plenty of experience with making curbs. Read on to learn more about the different types of commercial concrete curbs.

Barrier Curbs

Barrier curbs are intended to keep people and vehicles out of a certain area. They are intended to be entirely functional, not decorative. Barrier curbs are often found at the edges of streets, where they keep vehicles from straying onto the sidewalk. They are also used to surround parking lots for the same purpose. In addition to providing a barrier to people and vehicles, these curbs also keep water from flowing out of a street. Instead, the water is directed into a drain.

Sometimes barrier curbs are placed between parking spaces in a lot. This can make it easier for drivers to park their vehicles. It also prevents one vehicle from parking across two spaces, which is important if your lot is often very full.

Decorative Curbs

Decorative curbs are intended to be beautiful, though they do serve a purpose. This type of curb is also known as a mower curb. This is because these curbs are often used to prevent lawnmowers from cutting down fragile plants like flowers and ornamentals. Not only will decorative curbs prevent lawnmowers from damaging fragile plants, but these curbs will also keep pedestrians from wandering into flower beds and the like. If you have a sidewalk that cuts through your business’s landscaping, you should have decorative curbs installed along both sides.

Decorative curbs are often colored and stamped with a design. These curbs can also have unique shapes. Decorative curbs are a great way to increase the beauty of your business’s grounds while also protecting the landscaping. If you are planning to get decorative curbs for your business, make sure to look at pictures of decorative curbs so that you can get a good idea of what is possible.

Mountable Curbs

Mountable curbs are designed to let people or vehicles pass over them. These curbs can be found at the edges of sidewalks where they cross a street. In this situation, mountable curbs are intended to let people pushing strollers or walkers easily transition from the sidewalk to the asphalt when crossing a street. Mountable curbs also give people in wheelchairs easy access to the street. In fact, mountable curbs are required by many jurisdictions to ensure equal access for people with disabilities.

Mountable curbs can also be found at the entrances of parking lots. They divide the parking lot from the street while still letting vehicles pass over them without a jolt. This is why mountable curbs slope downwards instead of upwards like other types of curbs.

Finding the Right Concrete Company

It can be tricky to create concrete curbs that not only look good but also work properly. If you need curbs for your business, find a concrete company that has extensive experience creating curbs. Make sure to take a look at examples of their past work so you can ensure that they are capable of creating high-quality commercial concrete curbs. It’s also a good idea to get an estimate so you have a good idea of how much the work will cost.

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Advantages of a Concrete Driveway

There are many types of driveways, from gravel to cobblestone and even asphalt. However, concrete driveways are the most popular, and for good reason. Concrete driveways offer numerous benefits that other types of driveways can’t match. They are low maintenance, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to customize. As long as you have a reputable concrete company do your driveway, you will be happy with the results. Read on to learn more about the advantages of concrete driveways.

Concrete Driveways are Low Maintenance

One of the biggest benefits of concrete driveways is that they require little maintenance. A driveway that has been properly poured and sealed will last for years with almost no maintenance. The only concrete maintenance that you will have to do is to wash it off on occasion.

In contrast, other types of driveways require far more maintenance. Gravel driveways, for example, require maintenance much more frequently than concrete driveways. While gravel driveways may be cheaper than concrete driveways initially, you should keep in mind that the long-term costs of a gravel driveway may be higher because of the higher maintenance costs.

Concrete Driveways are Durable

Concrete driveways are also very durable. While driveways made from other materials, such as cobblestones or pavers, may look good they are not durable. This means you will end up spending a lot of time and money having them repaired.

Concrete, on the other hand, can stand up to years of heavy use. It can also handle the elements, even if you live in an area with frequent inclement weather.

Driveways Made From Concrete Look Great

In addition to being durable and requiring little maintenance, concrete driveways also look great. Asphalt and gravel driveways may have their advantages, but they will be an eyesore on your property. A driveway made of concrete will enhance the look of your home, especially if you have it colored or stamped with a design.

Concrete driveways offer beauty at a much more affordable price than other aesthetically pleasing materials like cobblestones or pavers. Not only is concrete more affordable up-front, it is more affordable in the long term because it required less maintenance.

It’s Easy to Customize a Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveways are also easy to customize. As previously mentioned, concrete can be colored in almost any hue you can imagine. It can also be stamped with various designs. Also, concrete can be poured into almost any shape. You can make your concrete driveway as long and wide as you want. It is also easy to create a winding concrete driveway that leads to the other side of your property.

Finding the Right Concrete Company

If you are planning on having a concrete driveway poured, you should take your time to find the right company among the concrete companies in your area. It may be tempting to simply go with the cheapest company, but this is not a good idea. Such companies often use low-quality materials and inexperienced workers. You may have to have your driveway re-done, which would be expensive.

Instead, you should find a concrete company that has many years of experience. Make sure that the company you are experiencing has successfully poured many residential driveways. Take a look at the pictures of concrete driveways that the company has posted on their website. This will give you a good idea of what they are capable of. Also, make sure to find a company that is willing to give you an estimate before starting work.

By admin Asphalt Driveway • • • • 0 Comments

Is a Concrete Driveway the Best Choice for Your Home?

Has your driveway seen better days? Cracks, potholes, and drainage issues are all tell-tale signs that a new driveway install may be in your immediate future.

If you’re ready to replace your driveway, you have many options, including having a concrete driveway or a cement driveway installed. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of installing a concrete vs. a cement driveway.

The Differences Between Concrete and Cement Driveways

Concrete and cement are often used interchangeably because they look similar; however, they are not the same. Very few things are constructed with cement alone.

Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Along with cement, concrete is also manufactured with water and aggregates including gravel, stone, and sand, which make up about 75% of concrete. Cement, meanwhile, is made from a mixture of silicon, calcium, iron, and aluminum, which are then heated up to a very high temperature before being ground into a fine powder we know as cement. It is then often used as a component of concrete.

Using cement alone is more suitable for smaller projects such as grout or to repair damaged concrete. Most experts don’t recommend using just cement to construct a driveway because it is less durable than concrete and won’t last as long.

Using Concrete to Construct a Driveway

Concrete is one of the most popular and durable materials in the world. It’s used to construct homes, commercial buildings, driveways, columns, and foundations.

Some of the benefits of choosing a concrete driveway over cement, asphalt, or gravel include:

Durable and Long Lasting

Well-maintained concrete driveways can last 30 years or more. Ensure you hire a reputable concrete company to install your driveway as proper installation plays an important role in the durability and lifespan of your driveway. Typically constructed with separate square slabs, concrete driveways are durable enough to handle heavy trucks, RVs, and boats. Concrete driveways often last 50% or longer than asphalt surfaces.

Low Maintenance

Concrete driveways are incredibly easy to maintain. They typically require only regular sweepings or power washes. A concrete sealer should be applied once a year, especially in colder climates that experience frequent freeze-thaw cycles.

Cost-effective

Although concrete driveways are more expensive to construct than other surfaces, they’re most cost-effective in the long run because of reduced maintenance costs, fewer repairs, and a longer life expectancy.

Increased Home Value

Concrete driveways can help increase your home’s value. Not only do many people think concrete is more aesthetically pleasing than other surfaces, but potential homebuyers may be more likely to buy your house knowing the surface requires little maintenance and can last for 30 or more years before a replacement driveway is needed.

Environmentally Friendly

Concrete is a recyclable material, which makes it environmentally friendly. It also requires reduced energy than other materials because it doesn’t need to be repaired, resurfaced, and it lasts longer.

The Cons of Installing a Concrete Driveway

Overall, there are very few cons to installing a concrete driveway. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a concrete driveway due to budgetary constraints, then it may be more cost-effective in the short term to install an asphalt driveway.

Although concrete requires minimal maintenance, it does need to be sealed once a year to ensure the durability of the surface. Fluids or oil stains from cars can be very difficult to remove once they seep into the surface.

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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.