We Specialize In Striping For Small Or Large Jobs

We specialize in striping for shopping centers, business complexes, apartments, and private roadways. Whether you have a small job of just two parking stalls or a multi-acre parking facility, Vaca Vet Striping will provide professional and timely work.

Parking Lot Line Striping

There are many benefits to striping your parking lot. Not only can it increase the number of available parking spaces customers can fill, but it also keeps you away from potential legal action. With this article, you will learn the facts about parking lot line striping and how it will benefit your company, no matter if you are a small company or a nationwide chain.

To begin it is important to show the serious side of line striping. Back in July 1990 a law was signed called the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA).This law requires all businesses have handicap parking for disabled clients. They should be close to the entrance of the building, and large enough to accommodate accessible vans as well. For ever 1,000 feet your business covers, you are required to have a designated number of spots clearly marked.

By marking your spots clearly you also avoid any liability. All pedestrian routes should be clearly marked for the safety of your customers; there should be a clear and safe path for your customers to cross in front of any on-coming traffic. Additionally, all parking spaces must be wide enough that they won't damage cars next to them. While you cannot control anything past the cars parking, if the spaces are wide enough and used properly there won't be damage to other vehicles. Finally, all entrances and exits should be marked clearly. This will prevent people from driving in the wrong direction and causing an accident.

Outside of fines and liability what are the benefits to you as a business owner to have your parking lot striped correctly? Well the main thing is that you can maximize the total amount of spaces that your customers can use. Allowing people to park as they wish prevents you from maximizing the available car space. A parking lot that can host thirty cars jumbled together can expand to 60 or more cars if they are lined up properly in well planned parking spaces.

There are some other things to consider when you are having your parking lot striped. The minimum outside temperature for the paint to dry and adhere to the parking lot needs to be 45 degrees. During the application process no vehicles can drive over the newly painted spots for a minimum of one hour. You will want to take into consideration the time of day that would be most beneficial for you to block off your parking spaces. If there are any pot holes or other problems with the original lot, you will want to have it fixed before having your spaces painting. This is the last thing you do on a finished lot.

Line striping is a great way to increase the number of available parking spots for customers stopping by your business. They will also keep you in limited liability, and assist you in avoiding the fines the ADA can bring you. Keeping all that in mind, when you do choose a business to do your striping for you, be certain they understand everything that goes behind the process. Selecting a knowledgeable company will save you time and money in the long run.

Parking Lot Maintenance is a specialized company that focuses on the maintenance of asphalt parking lots. Our core services are seal coating, hot rubber crack sealing, asphalt repair and parking lot line striping for professionally managed properties. We are unique and one of the only companies to focus exclusively on the needs of the professional property manager. Through our Parking Lot Management Service we are a critical resource for the property manager in making sure that one of their biggest investments (their parking lots) are properly constructed, cared for and continue to provide easy access to the properties they manage. Parking Lot Maintenance has the expertise to deliver a quality project, within budget and on time with minimal disruption for your tenants. We guarantee it! Todd B. http://www.parkinglm.com

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4436845

What Is Sealcoating?

Asphalt pavement to keep it in simple terms is primarily rock and/or stone and gravel along with a binder. The rock or aggregate is held together with this binder also known as asphalt cement. The binder is created from the distillation process of certain crude oils. Maintaining this binder is essential in prolonging the deterioration of asphalt surfaces. Rain, U.V. rays, and chemicals as they are introduced into the asphalt will degrade the binder and thus begin the degradation process of the asphalt and will create a surface that turns brittle. To reduce the effects of these elements, it is important to implement a maintenance program that utilizes sealcoating to extend the life of your parking lot or driveway.

Sealcoating will provide a layer of protection blocking out the elements of water and oils and U.V. damage. In addition, when applied to manufacturers' specifications, sealcoating provides a slip resistant surface with a deep black finish that beautifies the parking lot or driveway as well. Oxidation and water penetration are the leading causes of asphalt pavement failure. The sun's ultraviolet rays break down the asphalt binder that holds the pavement together. Moisture that is allowed to enter cracks in pavement will erode the base, causing potholes and general pavement breakup. Moisture also penetrates the pores of the pavement causing further erosion as well as freeze-thaw damage.

Sealcoats are typically bituminous based products or acrylics. The sealcoat is in a liquid formulation of one of the above emulsions mixed with water, silica sand, polymer additives and other proprietary fillers and solids. These products can be applied by brush, spray or squeegee. A regularly scheduled sealcoating program will more than double the life of the asphalt saving you significant dollars down the line. Instead of having to pay thousands of dollars for new pavement, it is more cost effective to spend only pennies on the dollar per square foot to maintain.

When applying a sealcoating product, follow the important steps referenced below to get the most protection and optimum performance. A minimum of two coats should be applied. Temperatures must be a minimum of 50 degrees and rising for a period of not less than 24 hours. Do not apply when temperatures are forecasted to get below the 50 degree mark. Also, do not apply if rain is imminent within the same 24 hour period. Once finished with the application of sealcoat, allow to cure 24 hours before allowing vehicle traffic back on the surface.

To summarize, sealcoating every two to three years will certainly extend the life of your asphalt pavement for minimal cost. When applied appropriately and at the right time, sealcoating prevents oxidation, sealcoating stops weather damage and sealcoating beautifies pavement.

For additional information please visit SealMaster at http://www.sealmaster.net/Pavement%20Sealer.shtml

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6486557

Parking Lot Maintenance 101

Preventative parking lot maintenance is an ideal solution to control deterioration of a facilities parking area and protect a facilities investment. It's also the most cost-effective solution to maximize the life of the pavement while minimizing risk.

Keeping up with parking lot maintenance means as soon as a pavement first shows signs of wear and tear such as cracking and raveling, or deterioration of the pavement surface it is important to take the necessary steps to mitigate risk.

A commercial facilities parking area promotes a positive image of the company. It also improves curb appeal and protects your investment.

Some of the more common parking area maintenance services that commercial facility maintenance companies provide are:

· Seal coating helps protect asphalt from the harmful effects of the weather as well as petroleum-based products like gasoline and oil. Commercial grade coal-tar emulsion base sealer, which meets and exceeds RP-355e specifications, is idea.

· Striping a parking lot enables a facility to direct traffic safely and efficiently. Using latex striping paint will guarantee a professional look in which the sealer does not bleed through.

· Asphalt repairs are necessary over time as newly applied asphalt surfaces begin to wear and break down as they are repeatedly exposed to elements such as water, sunlight and chemicals. The liquid asphalt that binds the materials together begins to lose its natural resistance to water, allow it to penetrate beneath the surface. Once this occurs the pavement can quickly fall prey to a number of different types of deterioration including cracks and potholes. Asphalt pavement repairs and prevention will increase the longevity of any asphalt surface.

· Asphalt overlays are popular approaches to pavement preservation because of their ability to provide improved ride quality, maintain surface geometrics, reduce noise levels, reduce pavement distress, reduce life cycle costa and provide long-lasting service.

· Traffic coating protects wearing surfaces like concrete or plywood from vehicular and pedestrian traffic abrasion, and in the case of concrete, protection from freeze-thaw damage and chloride induced corrosion with its destructive force on reinforcing steel. Where decks are elevated, these coatings provide excellent waterproofing for the occupied space below.


American Facility Services' parking lot maintenance division is dedicated to maintaining the park lot and sidewalk areas for commercial facilities throughout the state of Florida. From pothole repair to lighting issues, our highly trained staff is continuously striving to be the best parking lot maintenance company in the state, to finish projects safely and on-time and to deliver high-quality results. Maureen McHale is a marketing consultant specializing in SEO and content management.

Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7481216

Should I Sealcoat My Asphalt?

There is a saying that goes something like this "your asphalt should not be sealcoated because it needs to breath". I can't tell you how many times I heard this misinformed opinion in my travels as an asphalt maintenance contractor.

To the "nay sayers" benefit, I will acknowledge that there is some truth to the statement above. New asphalt should not be sealcoated in the first 90 days to 6 months. The reason is because new asphalt goes through a curing phase in which chemicals are released from the asphalt. A tell tale sign that asphalt is still going through this phase is that there should be a rainbowish hue to water when the asphalt is wet. This is the water and the chemicals still mixing.

After the curing process has completed, it is time to sealcoat your asphalt. If asphalt is not sealed it will oxidize and begin to fade. Have you ever noticed how the color of new asphalt changes from black to brown to grey to white? My friend, this is the direct effects of sun light, water, and other external conditions.

Only sealcoating will protect your asphalt from the degradation caused by oxidation. If asphalt becomes oxidized it now loses some of its' flexibility properties, which can result in cracking. Another major benefit of sealcoating is the protection from gasoline and oil. Unfortunately, gasoline, oil and the chemicals in the asphalt binder (holds the stone together) are all petroleum based products. Why should that matter? Well, being that these are from the same source in the earth, they have a natural tendency to bond together. The result of this bonding is the oil and gasoline deteriorates the asphalt binder. Once the asphalt binder is deteriorated that stone starts to release from the surface. Next time you visit a highly populated parking lot, take a notice to the condition of the asphalt that has been heavily soiled with oil.

So the next time someone tells you that you shouldn't sealcoat your asphalt, please point them to this article at ezine.com. If they choose to ignore you, let them deal with the high cost of replacing their asphalt or paying more for crack repair.

To see before and after photo's of Asphalt Maintenance and Pavement Marking projects in York, PA - Lancaster PA - Harrisburg, PA - Cockeysville, MD and Timonium, MD please visit Just Seal It at http://www.justsealit.net

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1953387

Top Signs You Need a Seal Coat for Your Driveway

If you have an asphalt driveway, it has an estimated average lifespan of 15-25 years when maintained properly. But with constant exposure to the elements, such as sun, wind, salt, heat and cold, the asphalt can deteriorate quickly.

Investing in a seal coat will increase the lifespan of a paved driveway or parking lot by acting as a flexible barrier coating, shielding the asphalt from erosive factors. A seal coat on your driveway prevents essential oils in the asphalt from evaporating over time - causing the asphalt to become dry and brittle through oxidation. When the asphalt is too dry, it will crack and allow water to penetrate the surface of the driveway, creating even more erosion.

To avoid a very costly repair, you should have cracks repaired before they invade a large area of the pavement. If you're unsure if you need a seal coat repair on your driveway or parking lot, check for any of the signs below:

• Discoloration of asphalt (fades from black to gray)
• Surface cracking that appears like peeling paint
• Hairline cracking
• Uneven wear of past seal coat
• 2-3 years since last seal
• Signs of over sealing
• Water standing too long on driveway

Other reasons to get a seal coat include the wear and tear caused by vehicles. Oil and gasoline drip will cause the asphalt in your driveway to crack and break down. Oil spots require a special coal tar sealant to prevent deterioration. This should be applied every 2-3 years.
There are many benefits of seal coat for pavement maintenance:

• Protect and extend the lifespan of your driveway or parking lot
• Prevents water from penetrating the surface which leads to cracking
• Protects against oxidization from the sun (paving materials become dry, brittle)
• Prevents erosion of asphalt
• Costs pennies a square foot compared to repairs
• Prevents oils and salt from breaking down the asphalt
• Aides water run off
• Limits pooling of water
• Slows down surface cracking
• Prevents slip and fall injuries
• Enhances the aesthetics and curbside appeal of property

With 20 years of excellence in customer service, Louise Pernicano operates Sommerset Paving, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based asphalt and concrete company. Offering competitive prices and higher quality products than other competitors, Sommerset Paving focuses on the customer's needs first.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5533211

Parking Lot Striping - Your Big Welcome Mat

Chances are if it's concrete, asphalt or pavement, it's going to be painted. Not paint as in Van Gogh or Michelangelo, but rather lines, signs, and arrows. Parking lot striping and painting is an extremely important part of any paving or asphalting process, especially in the case of retail and professional parking lots. A parking area is much like a giant "welcome" mat for a business, often being the first thing potential customers and clients see on their way into the building.

Worn out or messy parking lot striping is all together uninviting, not to mention inefficient. A parking lot without lines or signage is one that is not properly utilized, in most cases. Allowing patrons and clients to park wherever, without designated stalls, can create problems, especially if the parking lot is often busy and inundated with cars. At a minimum, parking lot striping should be tended to whenever the pavement or asphalt below it undergoes maintenance.

Parking lot striping, although simple in nature, is actually quite a complex production. Measurements must be taken in advance, followed by a plan that maximizes the usefulness of a given area. After the plan is conceived, measurements need to be taken again, this time to lay out chalk lines where the paint is to go. Of course, the above method is a bit of an oversimplification, as the actual process can be quite time-consuming if done right. To be blunt, striping is more than likely something best left to the professionals, especially in the case of larger, more involved parking lots and areas.

A professional parking lot striping crew will have all the necessary tools and equipment to get the job done right. We're not talking about a couple of 25' tape measures, a chalk line and a few cans of spray paint. The equipment used today is much more complicated than that, producing much better results. With that being said, it is important for those looking for a striping contractor to be aware of low bids. Those bids coming in well below the rest can oftentimes be DIYers (do it yourselfers), armed with the aforementioned tape measure and spray paint.

Going with an operation such as this, you often get what you pay for: misspelled words, overspray, crooked or incomplete lines, and the overall appearance of an unprofessional job. Knowing this, it is always a great idea to ask for references, as well as examples of previous work, to determine whether the price is worth the work. A little investigating up front can help save a big headache in the end.

We are a full service commercial Parking Lot maintenance company located in Daytona Beach, FL. We are centrally located on the east coast of Florida allowing us to provide seal coating services, crack sealing services, line striping, parking lot marking, ADA compliant parking lot products such as wheel stops, detectable warning mats, speed bumps, warning signs & rubber curbs to Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, Deland, Deltona, Palm Coast, Ormond Beach - Volusia County - Flagler County. For more info about parking lot striping or pavement crack sealing services & parking lot repair, please call 386-868-2704 or visit Parkin Markin http://www.AsphaltSealCoatingPro.com

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2803867

How to Keep Asphalt From Deteriorating: Sealcoating Your Paved Driveway or Parking Lot Can Help

When you're spending the money to have your driveway or parking lot professionally paved, you don't want the asphalt to deteriorate any sooner than necessary. Sealcoat the surface to protect your walking and driving areas from wear and tear.

Have you noticed cracks or holes forming in your asphalt driveway or parking lot, thanks to years of car and foot traffic? Or are you laying down new pavement and want to make it last as long as possible? Professional pavers employ a process known as sealcoating to lengthen the life of an asphalt surface. Sealcoating will not only make your driveway or parking lot more durable but will also help it maintain its clean, smooth look in the face of repeated use. Contact a paving contractor in your area to discuss whether sealcoating is right for your new or existing asphalt surface.

How It Works

As tough as it is, asphalt can be damaged by sun exposure, excessive rain, ice, and temperature changes. Years of gasoline and oil drippings from cars can also cause surface deterioration. Not only will deteriorating asphalt fade from a crisp black to an ugly gray, but it can also become rough and crack open-and water accumulating in pavement cracks or holes can lead to further damage. Sealcoating a pavement area approximately 60 days after the initial asphalt application will protect it from weather and car fluid damage in the years ahead, lengthening the overall life of your paving. Driveway sealer is composed of a coal-tar emulsion, sometimes fortified with rubber or silica sand for increased durability. A paving contractor will apply sealer either by brush or by spraying it over the area; the method may depend upon the size of the area to be sealed, or upon the individual contractor's preference.

Repair and Resealing

If you want to seal a driveway or parking lot that is several years old and has already begun to deteriorate, the paving contractor must first repair the damaged asphalt. This may involve filling any holes or cracks in the pavement, as well as smoothing out rough areas. It's also a good idea to clean up any oil stains before applying sealcoating, as once they're sealed in, those stains are permanent. In general, you should apply a new coat of driveway sealer every two to three years. Resealing and minor repairs will almost always be less expensive than having to completely replace the pavement.

Benefits

Having a sealed driveway or parking lot surface has benefits far beyond the money saved on re-paving. For starters, the smooth, sealed finish will be easier to clean than cracked, stained asphalt, enabling you to keep your property looking its best. Even more importantly, sealed pavement is safer to walk and drive on. Large cracks and holes can pose a tripping hazard for individuals of all ages. Meanwhile, brittle, deteriorating asphalt can form potholes, which can prove hazardous to drivers. Properly maintaining your driveway or parking lot area by sealcoating the asphalt will protect both your investment and the individuals who use the space. Contact a parking lot or driveway paving specialist near you to learn more about your sealcoating options.

Penny Jones is a homeowner and a senior Internet marketing strategist for Prospect Genius, a leader in local online marketing.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6944859

What Does Your Parking Lot Say About Your Business?

When was the last time you looked at your parking lot? Really looked at it - from a customer, visitor, or residents' perspective?

Ask yourself these few questions: Is the entrance to your facility making a good first impression? Is it causing long-term tenants to not renew their lease or customers to drive on by? Does it cause a safety hazard to cars and foot traffic?

For many businesses, the parking lot often is not on many facility managers or property owners' radar - until it becomes a problem. If your customers or tenants start complaining, or worse, not coming back to your facility because of the poor repair of your parking lot, you have a big problem.

So, how do you keep up with the maintenance and asphalt repairs for your parking area to keep the visitors to your business happy? First, find a paving contractor that offers a preventative maintenance plan. Second, be sure your asphalt repairs, sealcoating and other parking lot maintenance is performed by a licensed contractor. And last, but certainly not least, be sure your paving company and its employees are ones that you can trust to offer fair pricing and effective solutions.

Determining Your Needs

Here's a quick list of some of the things you and your paving contractor should be on the lookout for in your parking area:

Pot Holes - Does driving through your parking lot feel like you're on a bumpy dirt road? Pot holes cause tremendous wear and tear on vehicles and are a safety hazard to pedestrians. They are also a sign that water is seeping beneath the asphalt pavement through cracks that have been caused by wear and tear of traffic. Pothole repairs can be easily fixed by simply cleaning out the loose debris and filling them with an asphalt patch. However, crack filing and proper sealcoating can help prevent the need for pothole repairs, or worse yet -- the need for a complete asphalt pavement replacement.

Drainage Issues - Does water sit on your parking lot after a rain storm? Do you often have to strategically jump across huge puddles just to reach the sidewalk or get in and out of your car? Your paving contractor can evaluate any drainage issues and correct these drainage problems. There are many reasons for drainage issues. Sometimes vehicle traffic that is heavier than the pavement was designed can cause pavement depressions and in turn, standing water. Your paving contractor can make this type of repair by correcting the grade through localized leveling. For other drainage problems he'll offer other solutions to correct the drainage issues.

Faded Traffic Markings - Are your parking lot lines visible? Can pedestrians and motorists clearly see crosswalks and other traffic markings like stop lines? Line striping designs and pavement markings ensure safe and efficient traffic flow. Proper layout is also required to keep parking lots in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. To best maximize the number of parking spaces, your paving contractor can design and install an acceptable traffic flow and line striping layout to meet your business needs and be in compliance.

Maureen McHale provides marketing help to a wide range of companies. Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service. AFS provides a complete range of services, so our clients have the convenience of working with a single provider for all their commercial property maintenance needs. Contact AFS today at 866-793-3735 or visit our website for an online proposal for your parking lot maintenance.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7902235

Asphalt Pavement Checklist for Facilities Maintenance

Most property managers have facilities maintenance checklists for the interior and exterior of their buildings including the landscaping and parking lots. On a regular basis, the items on these checklists are reviewed; repairs are noted and performed to keep the property in pristine condition. In this article we'll focus on the items on those checklists that refer to the upkeep of a facilities parking lot.

Asphalt Pavement Checklist

1) Asphalt Sealing

Why should I sealcoat my asphalt?

Sealcoating asphalt pavement protects the surface of a parking lot from oxidation and damage from oil, gas and salt. It also minimizes the need for asphalt repairs by weatherizing the surface which helps prevent water from being able to seep into cracks. If not properly sealed, pavement starts to unravel and potholes form.

After installation, asphalt should be sealed between six months and a year and then approximately every two years after depending on weather conditions, traffic patterns, and wear and tear.

2) Crack Filling

What should be done about cracks in your asphalt?

Each year, your parking lot should be inspected for asphalt cracks. Sealing cracks in asphalt prevents moisture from degrading the structural components of the surface. For asphalt cracks that are smaller than a quarter of an inch wide, sealcoat can be used. However, cracks that exceed these dimensions will require your paving contractor to apply a crack sealer.

To perform this necessary maintenance, the crack should be cleaned of all debris, including loose asphalt, vegetation and other foreign objects. Once the crack sealer is applied and has set, the pavement should be properly sealcoated for ultimate protection.

3) Pothole Repair

Why do potholes form?

Potholes occur when water permeates asphalt pavement through a crack in the surface. Combined with wear and tear, the soil beneath the crack will soften, and eventually create a depression. Over time, the asphalt will unravel and breakdown into its sub-particles - gravel, sand and stones.
In northern states, asphalt patches applied in winter months typically do not hold up as well as potholes repairs that were made during warmer months. Due to the mild temperatures in Florida, pothole repairs can be completed almost year-round.

4) Asphalt Pavement Replacement

When should I replace asphalt pavement?

Often it's difficult for someone without years of asphalt pavement experience to determine just by looking at a parking lot whether it can be repaired or, due to cost of repairs, it is a better financial decision to replace it entirely. That's where the professionals come into play.

Over time, even a parking lot that has been well-maintained over the years will eventually deteriorate and need replacement. Asphalt experts will analyze the entire paved area for the current conditions. A few other factors that need consideration are drainage, traffic load and any issues caused by landscape - such as a large tree with roots wreaking havoc under a pavements surface.

Maureen McHale is a web marketing consultant specializing in SEO, content marketing and website design. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and site preparation. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website for a free estimate for your paving and sealcoating needs or call 866-934-7623.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8039220