Asphalt Seal Coating and Maintenance - Find Out What You Are Getting!

Spring's rolling around again, the grass is getting green, the leaves are budding from the trees and the seal coating and pavement maintenance people are out in full force, looking for your business.

Being in the pavement maintenance and marking business for over 29 years, I've had a lot of people that asked me "Is it really worth it? Seal coating you know." Well, that is really a wide-open question, and one that I can answer a variety of ways. Now if you're calling up your local seal coating contractor, or have someone knocking on your door, asking you to seal coat your driveway, you need to be educated about this process.

Oh I know, nothing to this, go down to your local hardware store and buy the product, and they will tell you everything you need to know about it. Or you can call the local contractor and get some estimates, look at who is the cheapest and sign that contract. Well, maybe, maybe not! Remember that old saying let the buyer beware? Or you get what you pay for? Well it is no different in the world of seal coating and pavement maintenance.

I guess you really need to know a little bit about asphalt before you make a decision about whether to do any pavement maintenance or seal coating. First, do you even know what holds the asphalt together or what's in the product?

Asphalt is made of aggregate, stone and bituminous, or in common terminology a type of tar. Well really these terms have been simplified so that anyone can understand them. See the asphalt is just the finished product. There is a lot more that goes into paving then simply putting the asphalt down. You need to have a good stone base, something that allows water to drain away from it, something that is solid. The depth and type of the base depends a lot on what kind of traffic you're going to be driving across the asphalt surface.

Once you have your stone base, then they apply the asphalt. Asphalt may be put down in various layers if you're trying to build a base for heavier traffic, again all dependent on what your intended use may be. After all that is completed, you should have a nice paved area. Then you wait! Yes you heard me - wait, wait, wait! You see, most seal coating manufacturers recommend that you do not seal coat new asphalt for at least a year. And remember you don't need to seal coat every year, even if that guy comes around and wants to do it every year. Parking lots should be done on a rotation of about every 2 to 5 years depending on the traffic volume and winter conditions. Driveways should probably be sealed about every 3 to 5 years.

Now we get into the down and dirty. If the only thing the contractor you're talking to wants to do is make that asphalt look new again, with a nice coat of sealer, send them packing! If you have cracks, they need to be addressed. Yes, I know somebody is going to tell you, that the seal coating material will fill in the cracks. If the cracks are more than a quarter inch wide and this is what you're told, you better get your boots out because it's going to get deep.

You see cracks are the place where water enters the base of your asphalt. This is where water gets in during the winter, freezes and thaws and then causes potholes or bigger cracks. A good reputable pavement maintenance contractor will want to seal those cracks properly and preferably with some kind of hot rubberized crack sealer. And no, it's not the same as seal coating material. Even if you don't have enough money to seal coat the driveway you should at least fix the cracks. Yes I know, it will look like there are all these black snakes all over your parking lot or driveway. But the question you need to ask yourself is if I would rather have this look, or be paying thousands of dollars to repave my asphalt surface.

If you have the money you can still seal coat. There are protective factors to seal coating material that extend the life of your asphalt surface. But your first priority should be the cracks. Now with all this being said, there are times when an asphalt surface is so cracked up, that it is beyond the repair of crack sealing and seal coating. For instance if your asphalt surface cracks look like one big spider web, you may be past the point of crack sealing and seal coating. Or at the very least you may need to do some asphalt paving repairs before you seal the remainder of the asphalt surface. But you need to have a reputable person tell you the truth. There are a great deal of reputable people out there. Just ask questions, and you will find one.

Remember, they should be a licensed contractor. You should not have to pay them before the work is completed, if they can't buy the material up front, ding, ding, ding a bell should be going off in your head! Check the Better Business Bureau to see if there any complaints about them. Ask for a certificate of insurance, including workers compensation. Always pay with a check or credit card. Don't give them cash! Get a receipt and get a written contract, that both of you have signed before any work begins.

The Internet provides a lot of opportunities to become educated about what you are purchasing. Seal coating is no different. Like everything else if it is performed correctly and by reputable people, I'm sure you will get a good product. But be wary of that person that wants to promise you the world, because you can't buy that for free.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8738651

Thermo-Plastic Installers - Vaca Vet Striping

The application of linear striping, arrows, stop bars, and handicap insignias, etc. We use a plasticized material that when heated with adhere permanently to asphalt and concrete surfaces.

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. V.V.S. provides services in Solano, Napa, Yolo and Sacramento counties. Our services include city, county, and state roads, highways, airports, commercial parking lots, driveways and racetracks.

Prioritizing Property Maintenance Projects

Property Maintenance is essential to the ongoing development of commercial and retail facilities. Mandatory maintenance such as repair to non-working electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems comes first. But other projects must be prioritized to get the most out of your budget. In order to maximize revenue and minimize costs, consider the maintenance areas that will have the highest impact. We recommend the following items to avoid potential high dollar repairs and to increase the attractiveness of properties, thus drawing new tenants and/or customers.

Properties that are well maintained will appreciate. Properties that are neglected will lose. In the interest of protecting your investment, we have identified six critical areas that every owner should address.

HVAC

Summer is nearly upon us and for those of you not in our area, Charlotte gets plenty of heat! The past few years have been above normal in temperature and below normal in rainfall. If your property has an HVAC system for which you are responsible, you will do well to get the system tuned and ready before the high temps hit. Tenants are often responsible for their own HVAC systems. It is a good idea to communicate with them and remind them of the division of responsibility. A gentle reminder before a problem occurs may head off a "heated" misunderstanding in the future.

Landscaping for Curb Appeal

Spring and summer in the South are beautiful. Trees and bushes in bloom and grass greening from a long and dry winter make people want to get out and enjoy! Be sure your property is pleasantly landscaped. Get rid of plants that may have died over the winter, or those that have a wild unkempt appearance. Trim bushes and put a fresh layer of pine straw or mulch in planting beds. If you are going to plant new items, now is the time to do it before the summer temperatures reach their peak.
Pay attention to color. The planting of even a small bed of colorful flowers will lift the appearance of an otherwise bland center. Colors draw the eye to the location and are a literal, non-verbal advertisement.

Parking lot maintenance

A thorough check for asphalt or concrete damage that may have occurred over the winter months is a good idea. Repair of potholes and significant cracks is good practice to avoid claims for auto damage, or worse, personal injury. Fix problems now before the onset of heavy summer traffic.

Re-striping the lot will definitely make the property look newer and more inviting. Many owners attend to the buildings and landscape and ignore the parking areas. A well defined and neat parking area is every bit as important to make the facility appealing to the eye, a very important factor when attracting new tenants to office buildings and customers to retail centers.

Signage

An attractive sign gets attention. It's important to be sure lighting is in working condition and that tenant signage is up to date. If a tenant has left, the sign, if applicable, should be removed. Have a new tenant? Be sure their business is included on any combined development signage.

General cleaning and sprucing up

Summer is the time to do a good general cleaning of exterior surfaces of the property. Windows and sidewalks that are especially marred by the tree pollen will really benefit from pressure washing and scrubbing. Spring brings out the shoppers so make a good impression. Happy shoppers are more likely to come back to your retail center; happy tenants are better for your bottom line!

Tenant space general inspection

Periodically make a general inspection of rented space to ensure that no problem areas exist. The inspection can be two-fold. One, you will become aware of any damage to space and two, you make contact with the tenant as an enhancement of landlord/tenant relations. Live too far away for personal inspection? Hire a reputable maintenance company to handle your maintenance and to keep you advised of potential problem areas.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1218702

Ensuring The Quality Of Your Asphalt Paving Contractor

Your driveway deserves to be paved by the experienced and professional asphalt paving contractor. Finding this service provider is no longer daunting today because of the advent of the internet. Many of these contractors have their own websites and you can find many companies to choose from. Carefully study the qualifications of each contractor before you finally hire one.

In the construction or renovation or your real estate property, should you go for individual labor or contractor? Perhaps, when the job is for asphalt paving, it is best to find a qualified asphalt paving contractor. So much will depend on the capability of the company, something which ordinary paid laborers cannot do.

It is common for the would-be homeowners to lack the necessary experience to supervise the home construction. When you are about to build your home, you should not hesitate to hire the services of contractors especially when you are in the asphalt paving job. Ordinary laborers cannot do it better than the experienced contracting services. There are homeowners who are adamant in hiring contractors on the belief that asphalt pavers only do the job on a large commercial scale. Contrary to this, several qualified contractors take on smaller projects like residential parking, driveways and condo units.

In your search for the qualified contractor, you need to be guided by several tips. Heed these advices and your asphalt paving project can do well beyond your expectation. So how would you know that the contractor you are eyeing on is reliable and qualified?

Today, the internet provides vast data - even on asphalt paving contractors. You can check on the different websites of the company. Do not fail to read the reviews, testimonials and feedbacks from customers. Many previous clients are more than willing to share their experiences with the contractor - whether the project was done successfully or not. This is the beauty of technology today; it is easy to gather information

Aside from the internet, you can check the phone book directory. It is common for trusted companies to have their company listed so that anyone can easily access their contact numbers. Find out also if the firm is covered by insurance. At least you will be guaranteed that the company is legitimate. You can find photos of previous projects and you can make judgment based on the photos.

You can also check on the credentials of the contractor. After finding your contractor, you can visit the office and personally make your queries. You can check on the technologies and techniques being used by the company. This is one important aspect in your search. This will also give you an idea on the kind of equipments used by the company in the asphalt paving task. Furthermore, inquire about added services such as repairs. You will also know how fast they do the job. Their time frame must be acceptable to you.

It is better to compare. So, you can check on three or four companies and select one that best satisfies you. And do not forget to compare prices also. They can have the same price but different output. One can have lower cost of asphalt paving but lower in quality.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7375907

Your Driveway - The Stages and Solutions

Your driveway will go through a lot of changes from the time it’s new to the day you have to replace it. Each stage requires a different plan of action and the list below will help steer you in the right direction.

Stage 1: Preventative Maintenance

For the first few years your driveway will only need preventative maintenance, sealcoating and crack filling every other year. Your driveway will stay in Stage 1 for as long as the cracks are not interconnected (alligatoring) and are not accompanied by settlement. Find a good local Sealcoater that will provide a written estimate.

Stage 2: Surface or Base Defects 

Your driveway has entered Stage 2 when sealcoating and crack filling alone will not take care of the problem areas. The driveway may have settled at the garage or curb (very common) or developed spider / alligator cracking or potholes. At this point, you’ll need an asphalt repair to get your surface back in shape. Call an asphalt repair company that can either perform infrared repair or saw cut and remove repairs. The every other year sealcoating and crack filling regimen mentioned in stage 1 should continue throughout stage 2.

Stage 3: Replacement or Resurfacing 

When 20% or more of your driveway is in poor condition, it’s probably time for a new surface. At this point repairs are no longer a cost effective alternative. If you find yourself saying my driveway has potholes, cracking or settlement all over, it’s time to start over with a new driveway. Call a paving contractor and ask them whether you need complete removal and replacement or if resurfacing over your existing surface may be an option.There are certain circumstances that can make a case for repairing a driveway that’s in very bad shape. You may not have budgeted for a new driveway, but have some areas that can’t wait. In that case just repair the very worst areas to get you by until a new driveway is in the budget.

A typical driveway will last 10-15 years, but this can vary due to the quality of the initial installation, poor drainage, ground movement and proper maintenance. The key is to find quality contractors that will recommend the right process for your driveway’s condition, regardless of whether they provide that service or not.

Posted 23rd October 2013 by Dan Browne 

Article Source: http://www.asphaltadvisor.com/2013/10/your-driveway-stages-and-solutions.html

How to Choose an Asphalt Contractor

There are several things to consider when you are choosing the contractor to do any paving or other related services around your home or business. It is very important to get written estimates from several different contractors. You can usually find a list of contractors in your area via the internet or a local phone book.

The contractors should come out and evaluate the overall site conditions, as well as take measurements, and get with you regarding any questions or concerns that they might have. The contractor should be able to provide you with a certificate of insurance for both general liability and worker's compensation coverage. This will help protect your property and assets in the event someone is injured while working on your property.

Your contractor should also be able to present you with a list of references from previous jobs completed. Finally, it is always a good idea to get an understanding of the materials that will be used for the project. This will help you make sure you are comparing "apples to apples" and getting exactly what you are paying for.

Once your contractor has been selected, it is now time to discuss the scheduling and the estimated time frame necessary to complete the job. Keep in mind that equipment will be used for your paving project. Therefore, you will need to make any and all preparations for temporary parking or a possible plan to re-route foot traffic to your home or business.

Lastly, make sure your contractor calls for a utility locate before any digging or excavation takes place. This will help to insure that no utility lines are cut and that service is not interrupted.

By taking these easy steps, your Asphalt Paving Contractor that you have chosen should be able to provide you with a good quality service.

Peyton Stallings is a lifetime Atlanta resident and general contractor. Peyton is President and onsite manager for PKS Paving And Construction and writes regular columns on, paving, Asphalt Paving Atlanta and construction in general. To learn more please visit our site at http://www.pksasphaltpavingatlanta.com

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5856498

Why Fix Asphalt and Concrete Potholes on Your Property?

Every property owner should know that any unfixed concrete or asphalt pothole is a liability on their property. Not only is it dangerous to you as the house resident, but also to the pedestrians who may be walking along your pavements. In the event that they tripped and got hurt, they could sue you for any damages incurred. It is therefore important that you correct any signs of pothole development as soon as you notice them.

Though asphalt and concrete are durable construction materials, with time they do get damaged by ultraviolet rays and storm water. To prevent further damage on your parking area, it’s good to consult a contractor to seal coat it for you. This also prolongs its life span. If you need to have your potholes repaired, always engage a professional in that line for best results.

As a property owner, you need to know that it’s your responsibility to ensure your house or ground is safe for you or other people who may use your driveways. Uneven asphalt paving or potholes, if left unrepaired, could bring about these outcomes:

• Tripping hazard to you as the resident and to other pedestrians using the pavement or the driveway.
• As the owner of the property, if a pedestrian is injured and you get sued, you face the possibility of losing your money to settle any forthcoming legal obligations.
• If the damage is left unrepaired for too long, it will only add on to your repair cost.

Fast response to damaged asphalt driveways or concrete potholes restores safety and ensures the cracks do not get any bigger. Here are some considerations you should make during the repairing process:

1.    Always work with a professional

You can only be guaranteed of a quality job and good results if it is done by a professional contractor with previous experience of similar repairs. Always ask them to show you where they previously worked and if you are impressed, then you can go ahead and hire them. You can also talk to their previous clients on how their repairs were done.

2.    Important issues to discuss with your contractor

You and your contractor should agree on the accurate measurement of the area that requires repair. Ensure every part that has signs of damage is covered so that you solve the issue once and for all. The contractor should submit to you a written proposal detailing the scope of work that will be done. You should also agree on an estimate cost and the amount of time it will take to finish the work.

3.    Repair hours

Convenience is very important when you are doing repairs. If it is an industrial place, the repairs need not interfere with the running of businesses, such that it can be done overnight when operations are closed. If it is a residential place, notify them about when the repairs will be done.

4.    Evaluate the construction process

If the place has tenants who have cars and will require using the parking area that is being repaired, it may call for your contractor to carry out the repairs in sections. This will leave some parking allowance for use and thus further ease your construction process.

5.    During the construction

When the construction process kicks off, your contractor needs to mark around the repair area using construction tape. This step ensures no traffic or pedestrians walk into the repair area.

6.    After the construction 

When all the repairs are complete, lot stripping your driveways will bring out a fresh and new took to it.

Article Source: http://www.asphaltadvisor.com/2015/12/why-fix-asphalt-and-concrete-potholes.html

How Often Should I Sealcoat My Driveway?

by Dan Browne

Sealcoating doesn't just make your asphalt black, it's necessary to keep your driveway from deteriorating. When the liquid asphalt that's holding the aggregate together gets oxidized, your asphalt becomes brittle and is prone to cracking. Sealer helps protect your driveway from the effects of the environment, think of it as a sunscreen for your asphalt.

How often should asphalt be sealcoated? The short answer is every other year, but there are exceptions. When a driveway is new, after it has cured, it should probably be sealed the first two years. The first application, generally doesn't cover as well as the coats that follow. After the first two years, every other year should suffice. Ideally, you would like for the sealer to wear off between applications. When a surface is sealed too much, the sealer will build up and can begin to crack.

If you have an asphalt driveway, it should have the texture of asphalt. If it looks and feels like a black skating rink, you've sealed way too much.

Article Source: http://www.asphaltadvisor.com/2010/02/how-often-should-i-sealcoat-my-driveway.html

The Correct Way to Repair an Asphalt Parking Lot

There are many contributing factors that make asphalt a great material to use when paving a parking lot or an asphalt driveway. It is a relatively inexpensive material when compared to other material such as concrete or concrete paving blocks. Asphalt is a very durable product that stands up well to basic wear and tear of vehicle and foot traffic. Another great reason to use asphalt for your paving needs is that asphalt is a green product that is recycled more often than any other paving product.

Here are a few tips that will help you if you already have an asphalt driveway or parking lot surface that is in need of repairs. Although asphalt will need maintenance from time to time, it will only help in keeping future repair cost down to a minimum. If you are trying to do your own maintenance repairs, you will want to complete the repairs properly in order to get the maximum life out of your pavement. If you are hiring a contractor to handle the repairs for you, a little education on what to look for will help you choose the right contractor and also help you know what to look for once their on the job.

Asphalt maintenance should be done periodically as needed. Sealcoating is one way to protect against water undermining the asphalt and reaching the base material beneath the asphalt. Ultraviolet rays can break down the binder material in asphalt allowing it to become brittle and fall apart. Sealcoating will give your asphalt surface protection against the ultraviolet rays. Sealcoating should be mixed to the proper specifications and should not be diluted to in order to stretch out the product. This will not give the asphalt the same protection. The first coat can be sprayed on to ensure the material gets into the smaller cracks to seal off and stop any future water penetration.

If you have areas in your asphalt pavement that have potholes or noticeably large alligator cracks you may need to remove these areas in order to repair them correctly. The first step in this process is to cut out the affected area with a saw. Next, you will need to remove any excess materials from the affected area. Once the area is cleaned of any debris, apply a tach coat to make the new hot asphalt adhere to the cut out area. Then apply the new asphalt, and always make sure to compact the newly installed asphalt.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Peyton_Stallings/832472

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6173735

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.

Stewart McClure President of Apache Asphalt and Seal Corp. Vista, California 92083 Serving all of San Diego County for over 20 Years! http://apacheasphalt.com

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6303081