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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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How to Maintain Concrete: Everything You Need to Know

For centuries, concrete has been the prime choice building material for all sorts of projects, including sidewalks, parking lots, bridges, and roads, among others. This widely used building material is basically a highly refined mixture of coarse aggregate and meticulously formulated additives that enhance strength and durability. Nevertheless, that doesn’t necessarily mean that concrete is maintenance-free. The following are some helpful tips on how you can achieve concrete minatenance in the sidewalks and parking lot:

1. Clean concrete surfaces annually

The commonest stains that you’ll find on your concrete parking lot are grease, oil, and anti-freeze stains. These stains are usually caused by radiator fluid and oil drizzling from the cars that drive into your facility on a daily basis. Anything from automotive leaks to birds’ droppings and fallen leaves can ruin the aesthetic appeal of your concrete parking lot.

For a business that caters to a discerning clientele, it is imperative that the stains be washed out from time to time. The Florida Concrete & Products Association recommends that stains on concrete surfaces be cleaned off at least once per year. An annual cleaning will not only rejuvenate your facility’s appearance, but it will also extend the life of the top layer.

2. Seal concrete joints annually

Concrete joints, also known as control/contraction/expansion joints, are usually placed in concrete slabs to prevent random cracking when concrete shrinks or expands due to changes in temperature. To ensure that the joints keep your parking lot structurally sound, they have to be sealed.

Most experts recommend that concrete joints be sealed at least once per year. This can help to keep fluids, water and debris from infiltrating and damaging the sub layers of your concrete sidewalks or parking lot. Ensure that the sealer used for joint sealing allows vapor to escape from within the concrete.

3. Repair cracks and potholes Instantly

Even when you keep up with annual cleaning and joint sealing, some cracking is inevitable in due course. Age and regular use will ultimately wear down concrete, letting grime and water inside. The more debris and moisture, the flimsier the concrete sidewalks or parking lot will become, leading to more cracking and deeper potholes.

Besides being aesthetically unappealing, big cracks and potholes can also affect the performance and reduce the lifespan of your concrete. It’s therefore advisable that you have concrete repairs and resurfacing done as soon as you notice signs of wear and tear. You can also have a paving contractor perform structural inspections periodically to determine the condition of the structural elements. Doing so will enable you to know whether your concrete surfaces need repair or repaving.

4. Repaint concrete periodically

After some years, the striping in your parking lot will wear away and make traffic markings and spot divisions hard to see. Repainting the stripping will make the traffic patterns visible for both pedestrian and drivers. This will not only ensure that everyone that visits your property gets to move safely, but it will also give your sidewalks or parking lot a fresh look. In fact, repainting your concrete is the simplest and inexpensive way to add the wow factor to your business premises.

When you are a business owner, your parking is an extension of your business. Therefore, its state will say a lot about your business. Keeping your parking lot and the sidewalks in good shape will not only boost the curb appeal of your facility, but it will also enhance safety for pedestrians and vehicles traveling across it.

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Hot Weather Concreting: How to Avoid the Problems that it Presents

The Perils of Concreting During
Hot Weather And How To Avoid Them

Hot weather concrete pouring can cause a myriad of problems. Many people think it is just about the heat itself but there is more to it than that. Many factors affect the quality and success of concreting during hot weather conditions. Hot weather, as defined by ACI 305R is any combination of the following:

  • High ambient temperature above 90 degrees
  • High concrete temperature
  • Low relative humidity
  • High wind speed
  • Solar radiation

The heat is not the problem as concrete cures through hydration and not temperature. However, when the concrete becomes hotter than 77 degrees, it speeds up the hydration timing. If the concrete isn’t hydrated properly, it will be weak, crack easily and be more susceptible to damage from freezing and thawing. Construction crews must prepare for hot weather concrete placement.

Ways to Prepare for Pouring Concrete in “Hot Weather”

  • Crews should avoid pouring the concrete during the hottest part of the day. Tracking hour by hour temps can assist with this determination. It is also wise to avoid extreme temperature changes. Pouring concrete on a hot day when followed by a cool night can cause thermal cracking to ensue.
  • A team of workers should be available to ensure that the work is finished quickly and efficiently. Truck delivery should occur early in the day and a group of laborers ready to start immediately. Check for any potential delays so that the task will be completed in a timely manner.
  • Sunshades, windbreaks or mist fogging can be used to protect and slow down the process of the concrete curing too quickly.
  • Extended set additive, moderate heat cement and blended cements can provide solutions to pouring concrete in difficult conditions.
  • Keeping concrete in the shade before pouring or using an evaporative retarder may help as well.
  • Once the water is added to the mix, reduce the mixing time.
  • Ice or cold water can be added to the mixture to cool down the concrete. Cold water can reduce the heat of the concrete by about 10 degrees and ice by approximately 20 degrees.
  • If a slab is being poured, putting cool water on the sub-grade is another neat trick.
  • Control-joints can be spaced closer together to aid in strengthening.
  • Steel Fiber Concrete can be used to make slabs to add after walls and roofs are built out. Adding steel fiber to concrete has advantages and disadvantages so do your homework before choosing this method.
  • Extreme weather conditions may require the infusion of liquid nitrogen into the mixers. This solution can be costly as there are concerns about damage to blades and precautions must be taken.
  • There are several curing methods that can be used. Understanding these methods directly impacts how successful your curing process is.  Concrete companies will want to have a plan ahead of time as to the correct method for each individual situation and to follow through with recommended procedures.

Setting concrete in difficult situations is a complicated process. However, with a little research and a lot of preparation, a concrete job can have favorable results.

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7 Advantages of Choosing a Concrete Parking Lot for your Business

Don’t underestimate the value of a great parking lot to your business. From prospective clients to potential employees, your parking lot is a big part of the first impression your building makes. Obviously, you want that impression to be a good one. An adequate number of spaces is just the beginning. The parking lot should also be a safe environment for guests.

Asphalt is a popular car park material. It is inexpensive and quick to install. Smart business owners think long-term, however. More and more companies are choosing a concrete parking lot instead. Here are seven reasons to consider a concrete parking lot, even if the bid is a little higher:

 

1. Stronger

Concrete is far more durable than asphalt. It keeps its form without buckling even under the weight of heavy traffic and heavier vehicles. If you expect high traffic or visits from a lot of trucks, concrete is the material that can take the beating.

 

2. Longer-Lasting

As a business owner, you have a keen eye to “return on investment.” A lower price tag is not a great value if the product has to be replaced in half the time or less than the pricier option. In this case, concrete lasts far longer than asphalt, making it a better investment long-term.

 

3. Better-Looking

Don’t forget that crucial first impression. Even a basic concrete parking lot typically looks better than its asphalt cousins. Better yet, concrete can be textured, colored, and decorated to create a unique, appealing aesthetic customized to your business.

 

4. Better for the Environment

Most of the materials in concrete are natural and chemical-free. “Sustainable concrete,” which contributes to a stable rainwater cycle, is available as well. In the summer heat, asphalt parking lots soften and seep oils and chemicals, becoming unpleasant and unsafe to walk on. A concrete parking lot absorbs less heat, which keeps the office park from turning into a “heat island” that damages the local flora and fauna.

 

5. Low-Maintenance

Asphalt requires annual service and preventative maintenance. Concrete parking lots need service far less frequently. If you have enough to keep you busy at your company without having to schedule service calls every year, a concrete parking lot is the way to go.

 

6. Better Lighting

Asphalt is black or dark gray because it absorbs more light than it reflects. In contrast, concrete reflects three times as much light as asphalt. This reflected light reduces the amount of electric light required to keep the parking lot well-lit. A well-lit parking lot is crucial for safety, as it deters crime. Easy lighting also reduces electric bills.

 

7. Long-Term Cost Savings

Lower utility bills. Less maintenance. Longer lasting. You can probably see a pattern emerging. Yes, the initial installation cost can be higher and more time-consuming. Over the long term, however, the costs associated with a concrete parking lot can actually be a lot lower than an asphalt one, in terms of both cash and time expenditure.

 

 

Installing or replacing a parking lot is a critical investment in the life of a business. Remember, the best solution isn’t always the least pricey solution. From eco-friendliness to cost savings, consider the long-term advantages of a concrete parking lot.