Four Areas of Asphalt Maintenance

When looking at asphalt maintenance it can be divided into four areas. The primary cause of asphalt failing is the penetration of water into the asphalt base. Over time, it will become brittle and dry with the aggregate beginning to wear away and cause cracks that will let water penetrate into the base of the pavement. When the water seeps into the crack it causes the base material to move and settle. This leads to the surface cracking in a pattern that is grid-like When the payment has reached this stage there are only two options, which replace the old asphalt or patch repair it.

Patch repair

It deals with areas that are isolated. Using a backhoe and saw-cutting the pavement is removed. They can also use a grinding machine. Once the old asphalt is removed, it is replaced with new asphalt. The removal method determines the amount that is removed. The removal depth should be equal to one point five times the original thickness of the asphalt. You may also have to replace the base-rock to match the adjacent areas to allow for base support that is uniform. The amount of removal should be extended twelve inches past the area that failed.

Asphalt overlay

This asphalt maintenance is affordable and provides a new wearing surface. When dealing with asphalt overlay there is a certain factor you need to be aware of, which include:

• Overlay thickness-it should be a maximum of two point five inches with a minimum of one point five inches
• Smooth transitions-when you are considering where to grind the existing pavement down remember not to grind down the overlay section to match the existing structure. If you do this could weaken the strength of the overlay. They will grind the existing payment down to where they meet flush together to prevent this.

Inlay and pulverize in place

Both of these areas of asphalt maintenance are accomplished using a milling machine. During the process of inlay, it removes a depth of the existing asphalt, which is many times a previous overlay. This will let the contractors put the asphalt back to the pre-inlay elevation. The method of pulverize-in-place will reduce all of the asphalt to particles that are base-rock size.

Seal coating

This is an important part of extending the life of the asphalt and it should not be overlooked. Seal coating is a mixture of mineral fibers, emulsified asphalt, and water along with other admixtures. This will seal the top layer of asphalt to prevent water from penetrating the pavement surface and protecting the top layer from wear from sun exposure and oxidation. It is what gives the asphalt its even black surface.

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6 Reasons To Get Your Parking Lot Re-Striped

Asphalt pavements and parking lots should be line striped as soon as they are completed. Asphalt striping involves the application of lines or markers on any asphalt surface for various reasons. The main reason for asphalt striping is to mark designated lanes on roadways. Asphalt striping is also used to mark entrances, crosswalks, and other safety features on pavements. Parking lot striping is very important to divide the parking lot into various parking spots. The most recommendable line striping technique is thermo striping. This is where the asphalt surface is marked or striped using molten thermoplastic. You can also use various paints to stripe your asphalt pavements, roadways, or parking lots. But thermoplastic striping is far much functional and durable than paint marking or striping.

After any asphalt surface is marked or striped, the lines or marks will last for some years before they start fading away. You should make a point of restriping your fading asphalt parking lot or pavement as soon as possible. Line striping is especially important for commercial parking lots, which means that restriping is also very important for your commercial parking lot. Here are several reasons why you need to restripe your commercial parking lot whenever the markers or stripes fade.

Aesthetic And Professional Appeal
A freshly marked or striped asphalt surface is very appealing. Road construction companies use various bright colors to mark an asphalt pavement o parking lot. Your commercial parking lot can be marked using white or yellow stripes. Different colors can be used to designate special parking spots for the disabled. Restriping your asphalt parking lot will enhance the curb appeal in your commercial building. This will project a professional image of your enterprise thereby attracting more customers or clients.

Better Parking Space Management
The main reason for striping an asphalt parking lot is to organize or manage the parking space. The stripes will indicate various parking slots in your commercial parking lot thereby ensuring that all the workers and customers have ample parking space. Restriping your parking lot will help organize the parking spaces in a much more efficient way.

Safety
A well-striped parking lot is safer to use. There are no collisions as vehicles try to find parking areas. You simply park your car in any allocated parking spot. You should make a point of restriping your parking lot to avoid accident-related liabilities.

User Satisfaction
When you designate various parking spots in your commercial parking lot, all users will be happy and satisfied. Remember that your commercial parking lot serves many people including your workers, delivery and supply vehicles, and more importantly your clients. That is why you should request striping services as soon as the stripes in your parking lot start fading.

ADA Compliance
Another major reason for striping and restriping a commercial parking lot is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA requires the allocation of a specific number of parking spots for the handicapped. You should restripe your commercial parking lot to adhere to these rules and regulations.

Fire Code Compliance
All commercial parking lots should have a designated lane for fire emergencies. This is a legal requirement for safety purposes. It’s one very important reason to restripe your commercial parking lot to ensure fire code compliance.

Article Source: http://pickensconstruction.com/6-reasons-to-get-your-parking-lot-re-striped/

Second Time Customers Get Discounts

Paving - What You Need to Know Before Starting a Paving Project!

Paving

Paving is described by Wikipedia as 'a stone or tile structure, the paving, which can serve as a floor or external feature... can be made of flagstones which are used for things like paving gardens.

History

Paving has been used for thousands of years. In fact, some roads and paths built by the Romans with tightly fitting pavers over a base aggregate, two thousand years ago still form the base for modern roads in parts of Europe. If nothing else, this tells us that they're durable!

Today

Whilst we spend a lot of time and money on being creative on the inside of our houses, it won't have the same impact if we neglect the exterior.

The outside of the house is what people see first. The idea that 'first impressions count' is a valid one. If your property has not been maintained and/or improved on the outside via considered landscaping, then it will detract from all your efforts on the inside. People will have that negative first impression which will be hard to overcome.

Likewise, people spend a lot of time in their yards, children are encouraged to get outside and do something physical rather than sitting in front of the PC. You're more likely to enjoy spending time outside or entertaining, if the backyard looks good.

Paved Areas

A big part of any landscaping or improvement is paving, be it a paved driveway, a paved edging to an existing driveway, a paved path, edging along garden beds, or a paved patio.

We have found that a lot of people are finding that maintaining a large lawn area is, not only time consuming, but more difficult with water restrictions. One way of cutting down on their lawn area is to have a paving feature which adds a bit of character to the yard as well as reducing the time and work involved in upkeep.

By utilizing one of a range of paving styles, you are able to create a unique paved area that will lift your yard. Your landscape advisor should be able to show you a range of styles from which to choose and suggest what would work best for what you are hoping to achieve.

Questions to Ask

Before beginning any paving project you need to answer a few questions, whether it be a paved driveway, a driveway border, a paving path, garden edging, a paved patio or bbq area. How big is the area to be paved? What colour scheme are you after? What is the existing surface and how will you need to prepare it for the paving? Do you need to allow for water run off? What about weed control? These are all important questions which need to be answered. Your paving professional will be able to help you answer these and other more technical questions.

Paving versus Concrete

If comparing pavers to concrete, consider that concrete can crack, breakup and stain, becoming unsightly and lowering the value of your home. Pavers, on the other hand, have a greater weight distribution and, should they ever crack or become stained, are so much easier to replace, with minimum cost to you.

Landscape Melbourne

Ultimately, to balance a quality product and service at a competitive price, your best option is to obtain a high standard of design by hiring a contractor. A side benefit of using a paving professional such as Landscape Melbourne, is that they will usually get a trade discount on the pavers which they pass on to you. This allows you to get a high quality finish with the expertise to know that the job is down well - a great scenario if you're too busy or don't feel confident in doing the job yourself.

Nic Tashkoff is Senior Landscape Designer and Landscaping Project Manager and Consultant at:

[http://www.landscapemelbourne.com]

Your Melbourne Landscaping Solution for all budgets.

If you'd like to learn more about paving designs, paving types, layout, or receive some assistance prior to commencing your paving project, please email Nic Tashkoff at [http://www.landscapemelbourne.com/contact.html]. The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Landscape Melbourne will be happy to assist you with advice or a free quote.

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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

Parking Lot Striping and Maintenance Increases Customer Safety

In business, it is important to always put your best foot forward, and that step can start with fresh parking lot striping. Fresh paint provides a good first impression for arriving customers. Faded and cracked lines, potholes, and crumbling chocks are not only an eyesore, but can also be a safety hazard as well. To ensure customers can park their cars with ease and navigate the car park without any confusion, regular maintenance is crucial.

Clear parking lot striping will not only help visitors navigate easily, but well-planned spacing can also help maximize a small area, squeezing in extra spots for cars so that you don't unintentionally lose business. Most car parks are also required by local regulations to meet certain codes which include a specific number of designated handicap spaces for disabled individuals (how many will depend on the location and size of the area). These will require an extra wide border to be clearly marked, allowing for room to remove wheelchairs or other necessary mobility devices. Codes may also require specific stenciling and marked fire lanes.

If the area is jointly operated by several businesses, it can be helpful to designate specific spots directly in front of doors exclusively to one shop. This is particularly useful for quick-stop stores located next to businesses with longer transactions such as restaurants or movie theaters. Keeping a few spaces free and marked for fifteen minutes or less is another way to keep traffic flowing, turning away fewer customers during peak periods. Spaces can be stencil-painted and bordered in a different color to distinguish it from others.

Proper parking lot striping is also a valuable safety tool that can help you cut back on collisions, slip and falls, or other potential hazards. In addition to keeping the paint fresh and direction arrows clear to improve traffic flow, consider re-paving the entire car park if it is extremely damaged. Large holes and cracks can not only damage vehicles, but people can fall and hurt themselves. And if it happened on your property, you may have a lawsuit on your hands. Smashed chocks are another common problem that is often overlooked. Chocks are the bumpers located between spaces or in front of sidewalks to prevent vehicles from moving too far. Over time, the constant stress from car bumps, or even just a single hard hit can result in them cracking and shifting. The rubble left behind can be dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists.

Parking lot striping professionals generally offer several other benefits in addition to their painting skills. Included in their services are often a cleaning of the area using power washing to lift and blast away long-standing grime, a basic warranty covering unexpected fading or stains for the first few months or longer, and help re-planning the area if needed. Most paints are fast-drying, so you won't have to worry about closing off the area for long. Always choose a company that is licensed, experienced, and fully insured so that you will receive quality work that you can depend on. For information about their services, go to www.articlesrx.com [http://www.articlesrx.com].

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New Asphalt Repairs Its Own Cracks

They're a common sight on many roads and the bane of motorists' lives, but potholes could soon be a thing of the past thanks to nano-technology.

Researchers in Switzerland have patented a method that repairs stress-induced cracks in asphalt to prevent potholes forming in the first place and could double the life span of roads embedded with the technology.

A precise amount of iron oxide nanoparticles are mixed with bitumen - the sticky, viscous black binder obtained from crude oil and used to keep road material together.

Ever-so slightly heating up this asphalt using a small magnetic field melts the bitumen, allowing it to seep into the minute cracks to 'self-heal'.