By admin Asphalt Paving • • • • 0 Comments

KEEP YOUR PROPERTY’S CONCRETE ADA COMPLIANT WITH THESE 5 TIPS

When you maintain ADA compliance, you signal to customers that you are committed to their care and comfort. Not complying with ADA regulations has serious consequences including loss of reputation, upset customers, and potential lawsuits.

Therefore, every business owner should understand ADA rules and regulations, including the rules for ADA compliant asphalt on your business property. Keep your property updated by following these 5 tips.

1. Make Sure Your Sidewalk Includes a Curb Ramp

Curbs pose a challenge for some people with disabilities. However, curb ramps make it easier for those using wheelchairs, canes or walkers to safely negotiate elevation changes. According to ADA regulations, you need a curb ramp installation to make it easier for those with disabilities to get around.

If you have a sidewalk with crosswalks, you need a curb ramp that follows ADA guidelines. Think of a sidewalk at an intersection where curb ramps are built-in. Curb ramps make it easy for customers with mobility issues to get around inside and outside your business.

2. Use Concrete for Access Ramps

Concrete ramps provide a durable, nearly maintenance-free material for access ramps. Concrete has high tensile strength and can handle heavy foot traffic without becoming pitted and damaged easily.

The ADA does not legislate what you need to use for your access ramps. However, the surface should deter moisture and contain enough texture to help prevent slips and falls. Concrete checks off all of these boxes and has qualities that less permanent materials, such as wood, lack. The longevity, appearance, and flexibility of concrete access ramps make concrete a natural choice.

Partner with a reputable local contractor for affordable business asphalt options.

3. Work With a Reputable Contractor

It’s important to research contractors through a number of options. First, search for a business profile at BBB.org. This will give you a list of any complaints made against the contractor and a brief summary of the company’s history. When reviewing complaints, it’s important to evaluate how the company handled unhappy customers. Every company will naturally have a few complaints, so knowing how they make it right for the customer can help you predict how responsive they are.

The company should also have references for previous jobs involving ADA compliant asphalt. Ensure that the company understands ADA regulations and ask them how they could help your business reach or retain ADA compliance. If your ramps, handrails and other ADA features are not installed correctly, you could face fines and lawsuits.

4. Meet All Requirements for Landings

You also need landings to prevent levels greater than the ADA threshold. Basically, the law prohibits level changes that surpass 1:48 at landings. For access ramps, that means installing flat landings at the top and bottom.

Here are a few guidelines to help you meet ADA rules:

  • Ensure all landings are level
  • Make landings as wide as the ramp
  • Create landings at least 60 inches long

5. Know When You Need Handrails

Handrails are valuable tools for those with mobility issues. They provide balance and can prevent falls. If your ramp has a rise of 6 inches or more or is at least 72 inches long, you’ll need to install ADA compliant handrails.

Follow these tips for business asphalt that can help you avoid fines and make your business more inviting to those with certain disabilities.

By admin Construction • • • 0 Comments

How To Solve Commercial Sidewalk Violations in Colorado

Commercial sidewalks are identified by their colossal pedestrian volumes, active ground floors, street-facing entrances, spillovers of commercial activity, and loading-related activities. They are mostly found on commercial streets, which vary in size from significant streets to small alleys.

In Colorado, many regulations are governing residential sidewalks, commercial sidewalks, and main street sidewalks. It is essential to notice rules and sidewalk violations in Colorado controlling commercial sidewalks to avoid fines and penalties.

Six common sidewalk violations in Colorado

Commercial sidewalks in Denver are vital as they promote pedestrian safety and increase people and goods’ ease of mobility. Sidewalks also encourage business development and recreational activities.

A sidewalk violation is an official notice from the Department of Transport (DOT) stating that the sidewalk is defective and a fine or penalty made, and repairs done to meet the set guidelines. Once you are issued with a violation notice, you will be allotted 75 days to fix the sidewalk or pay the DOT to do it for you.

Below are some of the commercial sidewalk violations in Colorado:

1. Chipped Sides

Chipped sides are sides that have loose chips or serrated sides. They can hurt the feet of those walking on them by causing the user to fall or, in extreme cases, scrub the skin of pedestrians.

2. Cracked Slabs

With time, slabs are subjected to harsh weather, fluctuating temperatures, over-usage, or misuse. Due to inferior quality construction materials such as poorly mixed concrete, they develop lines of cracks or break down unevenly in extreme cases.

The cracked slabs threaten pedestrians as they could strike their feet and cause them to stumble or hurt their feet. In some cases, they could cause certain shoe types to stick in them and damage the shoes, which could evoke resentment from the shoe owners.

3. UNeven Tile Placement

During tile placement, some tiles could be placed at varying levels causing their edges to remain exposed. Such tile placements decrease the aesthetic value of the sidewalk. Those using such sidewalks could trip and get injured. Unevenly leveled slabs also cause poor drainage, which shortens the lifespan of sidewalks.

4. Metal Inlets and Sewer Covers Exposed

Many utility holes, underground maintenance lines, and sewer drainage lines are built into the sidewalk. Exposed covers and inlets of these lines can cause people to stumble as they walk on the sidewalk, especially when they rise. If they’re loose, their exposed side also poses a risk to sidewalk users.

5. Plant and Tree Growth

As trees mature, they develop more prominent and more complex roots, sometimes exposed to sidewalks. The roots can cause people to trip and fall. Furthermore, roots can crack slabs, cause the sidewalk to have chipped sides, or dislodge manhole covers. If the tree is growing close to tiles, it may dislodge the tiles from its base. Trees thus create additional three violations when they expose their roots.

6. Snow and Ice

Sidewalks can turn into dangerous places during winter. Snow and ice cause inaccessibility and discourage movement. Ice could cause pedestrians to slip and get hurt.

How to Bring the Sidewalk Back to Standards

With the correct knowledge and strategy, dealing with sidewalk violations in Colorado can be a piece of cake.

Follow these tips to deal with your sidewalk:

Dealing With Trees That Cause Violations

To deal with the tree roots causing problems, it may be advisable to remove the tree. Cutting down the tree is the first step and has to be followed by removing the stump connected to the roots damaging your sidewalk. To do this, you also have to get a permit from the city.

After removing the tree stump, you could replace the sidewalk or contact asphalt companies to quote the full replacement quotes. Also, remember to replace the tree as they too are essential for the environment.

Do a Complete Overhaul and Replace With Asphalt

Asphalt is a sturdy and uniform substance that is used to make roads and sidewalks. Replacing broken slabs, uneven or broken tiles, and chipped sides with asphalt has the following advantages:

  • Asphalt is continuous; hence any unevenness does not pose any risk to pedestrians
  • Asphalt is rugged and durable in all weathers, which means it rarely cracks, and even when cracks occur, they are minute and cannot harm pedestrians.
  • Asphalt is relatively cheap to purchase, use and also maintain.
  • Using asphalt is faster than using slabs and tiles.
  • Asphalt makes it easier to clear ice and snow during winter.

If you seek to use asphalt, it is recommended to seek certified asphalt companies in Denver. The company should handle the whole replacement process, from acquiring permits to restoring the environment after the overhaul.

Remove Ice and Snow from Sidewalks

The municipal authority of Colorado stipulates that the responsible party of a commercial property should remove ice and snow after 24 hours of snowfall and where snow is greater than 4 inches. Use salt or brine to eliminate the snow, or hire a snow removal company to do the job.

By admin Asphalt Paving • • • • • 0 Comments

Concrete Crack Hazard Removal

Do you have concrete on your property? Would you like to prevent it from cracking? One of the most common complaints business owners have is that their concrete is starting to crack. They may think that the initial contract or may not have done a very good job; however, concrete is like everything else on your property. You need to take care of it if you would like it to last. How can you prevent concrete from cracking? What should you do if you notice that your concrete is starting to crack? There are several important points to consider.

Why Does Concrete Crack?

There are several reasons why concrete might be cracking. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • There might be too much water in the concrete mixture. Concrete does not require a lot of water in order to achieve its maximum strength. Excess water can reduce the strength of the concrete, leading to shrinkage. As concrete begins to harden, it shrinks. This is because excess water is evaporating. Excess water leads to more shrinkage, literally pulling the slab apart.
  • The concrete might be drying too quickly. If concrete is drying too quickly, it might not be cured properly. It is important to reach out to a professional contractor to make sure the concrete is not drying too fast.
  • There might not be any control joints in the concrete. Control joints are put in place to help the concrete crack where it should. If there aren’t any control joints, the concrete might end up cracking.

These are just a few of the many reasons why concrete might crack.

How Can You Prevent Concrete from Cracking?

There are several ways to prevent concrete from cracking. Some of the top methods include:

  • Install control joints. This will prevent the concrete from cracking in vulnerable places.
  • Always cure the concrete properly. If the concrete does not cure properly, it may begin to crack.
  • Check the water to cement ratio again. The water to cement might need to be reduced to prevent excess shrinkage.

In order to properly address this issue, you may need to reach out to a trained contractor.

What Should You Do if You Notice Concrete Cracks?

If you noticed that your concrete is beginning to crack, the first thing you should do is mark the concrete hazards. That way, people do not enter the area unknowingly, which can prevent serious injuries and accidents from taking place. Concrete crack hazards are dangerous and should be treated as such.

If you can do so safely, take a close look at the crack. Try to remove any debris that might be present. You may need to use a wire brush in order to appropriately clean the crack. You may also want to use a pressure washer if you know how to use one safely.

If you are familiar with concrete, you may be tempted to fill the crack yourself. Even though you might be able to temporarily patch it, you should rely on a trained professional for a permanent repair job.

Reach Out to Trained Professionals for Help with Concrete Cracks

Do everything you can to prevent concrete from cracking. If you work with an experienced professional, you should be able to get as much life as possible out of your concrete. If you notice cracks in your concrete, reach out to a trained professional for assistance. That way, you know the repair job is completed appropriately the first time around.

By admin Hauling & Delivery • • • 0 Comments

Superior Aggregates Local Delivery & Hauling

Superior Aggregates is one of Colorado’s most experienced aggregate suppliers and now offers timely delivery services. We can deliver what you need, whether the task is paving an entirely new road, patching and repairing and old one, or installing a new landscaping design at a commercial or residential property. Our aggregate offerings and timely deliveries ensure you can get work done quickly, efficiently and affordably by contacting Superior Aggregates to get the job done.

Support for Local Landscaping Services

Many local landscaping services send crews with trucks to go collect aggregate, which means a lot of work is not getting done while out getting the materials needed for the job. Our local delivery service removes the need for local landscaping services to waste time obtaining the materials they need when we can send them directly to your work site.

We can deliver a wide range of commonly used hardscaping and aggregate materials, including:

  • Concrete and masonry sand for walkways, edgings and other landscaping architectural elements.
  • Pea gravel, river rock, crushed granite and similar materials for a variety of landscaping needs.
  • Fill dirt, soil products and compost for installing yards and doing smaller outdoor landscaping projects.
  • Mulch, bark, woodchips and other bedding items that enable drainage while suppressing weeds.

You can schedule one or more loads and have them arrive before you need them so that your work crews always have the landscaping material needed to get the job done correctly and quickly. That maximizes your profit potential while reducing your need for trucks and workers to dive them to and from our aggregate site.

Local Hauling Services

We have a full range of great trucks with lift beds that can handle any aggregate load you might need. Our drivers are licensed and trained in CDL procedures and can bring your aggregate order to your work location and deposit it exactly where you need it with our convenient local hauling services. That saves you a lot of time by keeping your workers onsite and busy while the materials you need arrive when and where you need them.

When we do the hauling to your site, you do not have to worry about potential accidents and related costs. No catastrophic accidents will cause your business to suffer a potentially devastating financial setback, and you do not have to cover the costs of commercial truck insurance for the loads that you have delivered. We take care of all of that while eliminating your business risk.

Commercial and Residential Support

It does not matter what the purpose of your project might be. We have the type of aggregate you need to do it right. Someone paving an asphalt parking lot, installing a driveway or rebuilding a public road can benefit from the right aggregate arriving at exactly the right time to keep your crews continuously working and onsite. We can deliver recycled concrete, recycled asphalt, road base and concrete mix to any road-building project or similar commercial project and help you to save money while getting the material you need for the task at hand.

Contact Superior Aggregates for Your Sand and Gravel Needs

You can call Superior Aggregates, send up an online message or stop by our office in Lafayette to learn more about al the great aggregate material and delivery services that we provide. We proudly serve the greater Lafayette area and nearby communities.

By admin Construction • • 0 Comments

How To Build Concrete Steps & Add Value To Your Home

If you are reasonably handy with power tools and understand the importance of getting a project level and square, building concrete steps can save you a few dollars. As DIY tasks go, concrete steps can be somewhat labor-intensive. But with the right tools and by following these steps carefully, you can add value to your property.

1: Gather Your Tools & Materials

You will likely need the following tools and materials to complete a set of concrete steps: a 4-foot level, framing square, circular saw, hammer, wheelbarrow, shovel, concrete edger, broom, tape measure, circular saw, concrete, trowel, 2x lumber, gravel, rubble, and plywood.

2: Take Initial Measurements

Measure the height from the ground to the bottom of the doorway. Now calculate how many steps you will need extending away from the building at 7 inches per step. This is to say, each step is supposed to be no more than 7 inches. If the door threshold’s bottom is 21 inches from the ground, you usually need three concrete steps. If the height can’t be divided by 7 inches evenly, get each step as close as you can. You can make shorter steps, but not taller ones.

3: Set Your Footings

Excavate the ground where the concrete steps will be poured. Layout 2x lumber to form two boxes to pour the footings. Check that they are perfectly level. These should extend about three inches wider than your steps. As the concrete starts to harden, insert rebar into the footings so that it sticks up about 6-8 inches. Fill the center space with gravel.

4: Build A Frame

Measure and cut two plywood sections to mirror the sides of the concrete steps, based on your measurements. Set one on each footing with 3 inches protruding at the bottom. Check that they are also level. Cut 2x materials to create the face of each step, not the part you would walk on. Hammer them in place. Cut a 2×4 to create a brace. This typically is one length that extends from the ground and over the steps. Attach shorter braces — called cleats — that point down and support each step o the front. Hammer the last cleat into the ground and attach the long length to ensure it stays in place. Check to make certain your concrete steps will all be level, and the form is square.

5: Fill In The Form

Consider using stones, bricks, or cinderblock pieces to fill up a portion of the form. This will cut down on the amount of concrete needed. This strategy also tends to alleviate some pressure on your forms when the concrete is poured. Save room to insert lengths of ½-inch thick rebar about 3-4 inches below the concrete steps’ surface.

6: Fill With Concrete

Mix your concrete in the wheelbarrow and shovel it into the concrete steps form. It’s essential to prepare a firm but moist concrete mixture. This will help prevent leakage, reduce the hardening time, and allow you to manipulate it effectively.

7: Detail Your Concrete Steps

Use the edger to enhance the outer areas’ appearance once the concrete is fairly hard. Then take the broom and add traction lines to the spaces people will place their feet.

8: Remove Forms

Concrete steps usually take 12 to 24 hours to cure. Once the concrete has hardened, remove the forms. A flat tool such as a trowel may prove effective. Keep in mind that hard impacts or prying from tools such as a crowbar can damage the steps.

Concrete steps require some muscle to build. While handy homeowners can save a few bucks on labor, a masonry contractor may be worth considering.