Saturday, March 16, 2024

Let's Go Walking! Lesson 5: Parking Lot Safety


This video reviews the following key concepts:
-Be Extra Careful in Parking Lots
-Getting Out of the Car
-Walking Across the Parking Lot
-Walk Close to Adults
-Be Aware
-Look and Listen for Moving Cars
-Freeze if Car Backs Out
-Set a Good Example
-Tell Driver when Buckled

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

All of the Benefits of Sealcoating Asphalt Pavement


Here's why that driveway sealer project shouldn't be at the bottom of your to-do list.

For new homeowners who aren't familiar, sealcoat (or pavement sealer) is a liquid coating mixture that's usually applied to asphalt-based pavement. When moving into your new house, fixing the driveway might not be high on your list of priorities. In fact, you might even be asking yourself: Is sealcoating really necessary for my home?

If you’ve made an investment by purchasing a house, you want to take great care of it, right? You spend hours picking the perfect colors to match your sheets, and every Sunday you bring out the vacuum to suck dirt and debris. You might even spend money trimming your trees and bushes to keep them looking lovely.

When you think about it, your driveway takes up much of your front yard. A cracked, dirty, and faded driveway just doesn’t match with clean, polished cars. Here are some reasons why you should invest in a sealcoat for your driveway.

1. Maintain its Appearance
Your driveway takes up space. It’s where cars are parked and where children play during the sweltering summer months. If it isn’t well-maintained, it can have a detrimental effect on your house’s appearance. Asphalt driveways are prone to cracking, fading, and other signs of distress. It doesn’t look good to anyone! Cracks in the asphalt can even lead to accidents.

A sealcoat sits on top of a driveway and acts as a barrier for it. Its deep black color looks regal and strong. The coat prevents water, car fluids, water, the sun, salt, and other chemicals from warping the color or eating away at the driveway. And a sealcoat will prevent weeds from growing in the asphalt. That means no more getting down on hands and knees just to clean those irritating weeds!

New sealcoat, when applied, looks bold and dark. It improves the appearance of both new and old asphalt, adding a pop of vibrancy to your house that you may not have expected.

2. Prevent Cracks
Sometimes, your new home comes with cracks in the pavement. You might be inclined to think, “Well, the previous owner seemed just fine with these cracks. The driveway looks good enough.” Don’t settle for mediocrity—you deserve the best!

Water that seeps into the base material can cause small cracks to widen. Sealcoating your driveway properly will prevent that. Any minor cracks and rough patches can be smoothed over, and if there's any dirt on your driveway, the rain can easily wash it away. That's because sealcoat is a non-porous, smooth surface.

3. Protect the Asphalt
The sun can burn our skin, but did you know it can also harm your driveway? Surface voids on asphalt can absorb oxygen and UV rays. The radiation from the sun can warp the asphalt and cause the color to fade quickly. On top of that, pockets of surface void allow oil or gas to penetrate.

Chemical spills can also worsen your driveway's condition. With a thick layer of sealcoat, you'll be able to prevent (or at the very least, minimize) the harmful effects of spills and the sun. By lowering the rate of water absorption (the water will run right off), sealcoating minimizes the risks of damage due to water, snow, and freezing. There are many things that can destroy your driveway: gas, diesel fuel, salt, chemicals, oil, and ice. It's better to prevent these from attacking your driveway so that you won't have to risk costly damage control.

4. It's Strong
Sealcoat helps attract heat from sunlight and becomes more pliable when hot. Instead of the asphalt cracking at high temperatures, the sealcoat will mold to shape. If you have guests over, the asphalt won’t waver under the combined weight of the cars. That’s because the sealcoat will be there to protect it.

5. It Saves Money
Sealcoating can be done as a weekend DIY project, or you can hire someone to do it for you. A DIY sealcoat project should cost about $50 to $200. It all depends on the size of your driveway. On the other hand, hiring a professional is probably safer. It would cost about $200 to $500. If you choose to hire a company or a person, you can be assured that they'll be more familiar with good products. Different products work better in certain areas (because of the temperature and climate), and a professional will know which sealants are best avoided.

Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire someone else, sealcoating your driveway is far cheaper than spending hundreds of dollars trying to repair or even replace your driveway's asphalt!

If you allow moisture to seep into the driveway, you might not notice at first. But after weeks, the quickened deterioration will begin to show as your asphalt becomes more and more distressed. It’s much easier to prevent the issues instead of scrambling to find someone who can quickly fix the asphalt! Just make sure that you wait 90 days after setting a new asphalt driveway to apply the sealcoat.

Article Source: https://housetipster.com/housetips/1151/5-benefits-of-sealcoating-asphalt-pavement

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Information About Commercial Asphalt Driveways


There are several reasons why many commercial property owners are paving their driveways with asphalt rather than concrete. Asphalt pavement comes with many benefits and advantages; especially when it comes to maintenance and repair. Asphalt is much more economical than concrete for this reason and more. On top of its flexibility and easy maintenance aspects, it typically costs less than concrete materials at most hardware and construction stores.

Although concrete paving can last up to 15 or 20 years without needing repairs, asphalt is still a trendier choice for most residential and commercial properties for a number of reasons. Continue reading to catch up on some important information about asphalt paving and why it is more popular than concrete these days.

Asphalt Pavement for Driveways

As mentioned before, concrete can last up to fifteen or twenty years without needing repairs; while asphalt paving may eventually require some upkeep after about five to seven years. There are several reasons why asphalt pavement can weaken or deteriorate. For example, elemental conditions, over-exposure, negligence, cars, and the surrounding natural environment call all have an effect on asphalt pavements. The following influences are common contributors to asphalt damage, potholes, and wear and tear:

  • Heavy Trucks, Cars, and Loads
  • Substantial Water Saturation
  • Constant Exposure to Moisture
  • Harsh Storms
  • Overgrown Tree Roots
  • Poor Foundation
  • Tectonic Plates
  • And More

It is recommended to place sprinklers and watering hoses far from newly paved asphalt driveways. Also, large or old trees should be removed to protect new asphalt from tree root damage. Even if the tree seems like it will not be a threat, it is safer to remove it before experiencing asphalt damage from underground root systems. As soon as you see a pothole or crack appear, it is suggested to take immediate action to prevent further wear and tear. The sooner an asphalt issue is acknowledged and fixed, the less expensive the repair will cost. You can purchase asphalt fillers and pothole repair kits at local hardware and home good stores; however, it is highly recommended to seek out professional assistance from a licensed and experienced asphalt paving engineer. They can give you the best advice on asphalt maintenance and repair. If you do decide to repair asphalt driveway damages on your own, you can still ask a retail clerk at the store for extra instructions or advice. They too should know plenty of information about the product they are selling.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sarahbeth_Kluzinski/1326228

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Thursday, March 7, 2024

Vaca Vet Striping Services: Grading & Excavating


http://vacavetstriping.com

If you’re looking to increase your property value and curb appeal by dressing up your driveway, fixing an irritating drainage problem, enhancing the aesthetics via site grading we got you covered!

Vaca Vet Striping has over 30 years experience doing business as ACE Paving Company, with a General Engineering Class A Contractor’s License #389714. We strive to provide quality work and great service at an affordable cost. Vaca Vet Striping service area is Solano, Napa, Yolo, and Sacramento counties.

Monday, March 4, 2024

Protect Your Parking Investment!


Asphalt Maintenance

Asphalt pavement is commonly used on many different projects. It is a popular material due to its cost-effectiveness, durability, ease of implementation and is great at withstanding heavy loads. It can be used for walkways, driveways, parking lots and complete roadways. Many may not know that asphalt does require inspections and routine maintenance for long life. Common asphalt maintenance procedures are as follows:

Asphalt Maintenance Facts

Asphalt has a long life span as long as proper maintenance is performed. Asphalt deterioration begins as soon as the freshly laid asphalt begins to cool. Oil, sun oxidation, salt, water penetration, weather all affect the life span.

Asphalt Repair and Patching

Patching is a frequently used repair technique for imperfections such as potholes. Potholes can be formed by the freezing and thawing of water in unsealed or improperly sealed cracks. As the ice forms, it expands and damages the surrounding asphalt leaving voids and thus a pothole is born. The process of replacing the asphalt depends on the affected area and the seasonal conditions.

Asphalt Resurfacing or Overlaying

In some cases, it can be more cost effective to resurface or overlay the asphalt. Good candidates for resurfacing are low spots, large sections of interconnecting cracks. This process is unique to each job and can consist of leveling of low spots, grinding off uneven surfaces, adjusting drainage paths and other details pertaining to the specific problem.

Asphalt Removal and Replacement

Without ongoing maintenance, asphalt surfaces can degrade until the only option is a replacement. Proper procedures must be followed to ensure the repair and replacement surface last. Cost varies depending on the job.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bud_Altman

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Friday, March 1, 2024

How to Replace your Entire Driveway (Complete Tear Out and Repave)


Learn how to repave your driveway, including digging out the old driveway, laying down stone for a good sub-base, grading, leveling, and compacting that stone, and finally laying down fresh hot mix asphalt. This new asphalt driveway came out amazing and I cannot wait to use it to make more videos! Oil Spill Mat: https://amzn.to/3xP230F Thank you Platinum Paving for doing a great job on the driveway. The owner is a fan of my channel and I appreciate him putting down his best driveway possible! https://www.platinumpavingnj.com/

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating - The Hard Facts of Asphalt Repair


Asphalt Pavement begins to deteriorate as soon as it is laid down. Fuel and lubricants dissolve it, water softens it and sunlight accelerates oxidation to break down the binder. Unsealed blacktop can lose half its thickness in twenty years.

Within a year or so, the original black color begins to pale. The binder asphalt begins to lose plasticity. Hairline cracks form. After five years the entire thickness has oxidized and become brittle. The color is light gray. By the eighth year, cracks extend clear through the pavement. Material is loose on the top. The base fails as water soaks through. Within a year or so, areas with alligatoring cracks become potholes. After fifteen years, the entire surface will have broken up.

DOES YOUR ASPHALT PARKING LOT NEED REPAIRING?

"IMPORTANT REPAIR TIPS"

When was the last time that you thought about your asphalt parking lot and its upkeep? This is the same place where you park your car everyday and the entrance to your home or office. It is a known fact that first impressions are lasting and this is true for your clients or friends when they drive into your parking lot. They are either encouraged to come and visit you or turn around and drive away, depending on the look of your surroundings and yes, this includes your parking lot!

We will first start with a few statistics of asphalt parking lot upkeep. If your asphalt is sealcoated every three years, it will have an average life span of thirty years! If your asphalt is not sealcoated, it will have an average life span of fifteen years. Asphalt repairs can cost as much as much as $6.00 per square foot. Sealcoat can be applied for as little as 8 cents per square foot. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that sealcoating your asphalt every three years prevents major repair costs in future years.
To determine if your parking lot needs any repairing, go take a look at it. Here are a few signs to look for:

1. Rough Asphalt - Is the surface of your asphalt not smooth? Can you see the tops of the rock or aggregate showing through? Are pieces of rock coming out of your asphalt? These are all signs that you need to have your parking lot sealed and repaired. Excessively rough areas usually require installing a new asphalt skin patch prior to sealcoating so that the sealcoat will last when being applied to these areas.

2. Cracked Asphalt - Do you have cracks appearing in your asphalt? These can be caused by either excess water under the parking area or lack of proper sealcoat maintenance over the years. These areas can be repaired by either rubber crack filling or removing and replacing them with new asphalt depending on how severe the damage has been. Cracks can also be caused by tree root pressure.

3. Worn Stripes - Is your parking space striping and stenciling looking worn? Are the old lines appearing through your old sealcoat? These are signs that it is time to sealcoat and re-stripe the parking area. Striping is the most noticeable part of the parking lot and it is very important that you have a neatly done job.

When choosing an asphalt contractor to do the work, make sure you ask for references to previous jobs that were completed. Call those people to see if they were satisfied with the asphalt contractor's work. Remember, price is not everything! Some contractors use better materials and do better work than other contractors.

As a rule of thumb, make sure that the asphalt contractor dilutes the sealcoat with a maximum of 10% water. This way you will get a thicker coat of sealer- and that will last a long time. When your asphalt is severely cracked (alligatored) and needs to be removed and replaced with new asphalt, make sure that the new asphalt is installed to a depth of at least 3 inches. This will usually give you a good solid patch. Remember, first impressions are lasting. People like a clean and well kept parking lot.
Stop... Think About Your Asphalt Driveway!

When was the last time that you thought about your asphalt driveway (the path that leads to your humble home and the place where you park your car)? This article will give you the in's and out's on caring for your asphalt driveway, whether it is new or otherwise.

If you have an asphalt driveway, seal it! The sun and water are your driveway's worst enemies. If you do not regularly seal your driveway, the surface will become rough and the asphalt will start to crack, causing further damage. If your driveway is older, has started to get rough, and is forming small cracks it is even more urgent that you seal it to protect your investment.

If you decide to do the job yourself, you can buy asphalt sealer in five-gallon containers at any of your local lumber companies or home improvement stores. You also need to purchase a special sealer broom to apply the sealer and a paintbrush to cut in along walls and tight areas. Applying the sealer to your driveway can be tricky. You need to apply it in even brush strokes. When it dries it will look just the way you brushed it on. The sealer will dry very fast so you need to work very quickly.

There is a big difference between the sealers that YOU can buy and the sealers that are used by asphalt contractors who seal driveways for a living. The sealers that the asphalt contractors use contain silica sand and/or slate which allows the seal to last about twice as long as the kind purchased at the store. The asphalt contractor uses a mixer machine to keep the aggregates agitated. Otherwise, it would stick like lead to the bottom of the container. If you seal your own driveway, it's good to do it about every year. If you have a contractor do it, have him seal it every three years.

If your driveway is older and has some cracks, it is recommended to fix them before any more damage occurs. Asphalt cracking is caused primarily by the effects of the sun and by moisture. Proper attention to cracks will prevent your driveway from breaking down further and will double the life of your asphalt. If you seal your own cracks, make sure that you buy a crack sealer that has rubber compounds. This type of product allows the crack to expand and contract without breaking open. Rubber crack sealer will flex with the movement of the asphalt and will help prevent water from seeping into the crack. Always seal the cracks before you seal your asphalt driveway. If you hire a contractor to seal your cracks, make sure he uses a rubber based sealer. (Some do not!)

Your driveway is an investment. The better you take care of it, the less it will cost you in the long run. The best thing about a well-maintained driveway is that it looks great and enhances the look of your home.

Does Your Parking Lot Sing the Trash Truck Blues?

I can't count the amount of phone calls that we have received from irate apartment owners. The conversation usually starts out by the owner saying, "Those darn trash trucks are ruining my asphalt parking lot. There are cracks as far as the eye can see and the ground is starting to heave. I'm afraid that one of my tenants is going to fall and brake a leg." As you know, these are all very valid concerns.

Trash trucks are the leading cause of asphalt parking lot damage. Generally, parking lots are not constructed to handle heavy truck traffic. Usually the base material (decomposed granite) on older parking lots has not been installed or has been installed in a very thin layer. The pavement that is laid on top of this base is only as strong as the base material. This can cause premature stress on the asphalt pavement when a heavy truck passes over the surface.

Think about it! One pass of an 18,000 pound load on a single axle truck has the same effect on an asphalt parking lot as 9,600 automobile passes. What does your local trash truck weigh when it is full of wet, smelly, compacted garbage? It usually weighs more than 18,000 pounds. If your trash truck shows up once or twice a week, the damage load can be the equivalent of between 10,000 and 20,000 cars. That's a lot of traffic!

By now, you are probably wondering what you can do about this problem. Depending on your property, there are several measures that you can take to help repair the current damage and limit future trash truck damage.

The first thing that you should do is to repair the damage that the trash truck has caused. This usually requires saw-cutting and removing the damaged asphalt and replacing it with new asphalt to a depth of not less than four inches. The new asphalt patch should always be deeper than your existing asphalt.

If your trash truck damage is not too severe, you can have your damaged areas overlaid with a new layer of Petromat and asphalt. This is less expensive than removing and replacing your asphalt. Petromat is made out of fiberglass and is designed to help prevent your old pavement cracks from coming through the new layer of asphalt. The new layer of asphalt must be a minimum of 1.5 inches deep over the Petromat for maximum effectiveness. Since the level of your existing parking lot will be raised by Petromat patches, you have to make sure that water puddling will not become a problem.
After your asphalt patches have been completed, you should sealcoat and re-stripe your parking lot to keep it looking nice and to help keep your patches tightly locked and waterproof.

The second thing that you should do is to figure out how to help prevent the damage from occurring again! One way to do this is to install concrete pads where the trash trucks cause the most damage. Usually this is in the FRONT of your trash dumpsters. The concrete pads I see are usually too small or are in the wrong location. You need to make sure that the concrete pad is longer than the trash truck and is installed where he stops and picks up your trash dumpster. The reason that this area is subject to the most damage is that the trash truck is stopped causing the most down pressure on your pavement. The truck also shakes and shudders when it is dumping your dumpster which causes additional stress on the area. The concrete pad should be a minimum of six inches deep, using steel rebar and 3,000 PSI concrete.

The third thing that you should do is to review the existing locations of your trash dumpsters. Closer is better! Some apartment properties are situated so that the dumpster areas can be moved closer to the street. Just remember, the closer to the street that you can locate your trash dumpsters, the less it will cost you in parking lot repairs. In most apartment owner cases, this means thousands of dollars $$$ in long term savings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stewart_McClure

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