Thursday, October 27, 2016

More Than Just Price - Choosing a Paving Contractor to Install Your Driveway


Paving an asphalt driveway may seem like a simple task to some people. Basically you just get a couple of companies out of the phone book to give you an estimate and then pick the cheapest one right? Well, not if you're concerned about the craftsmanship or making sure you get what you pay for. This is the number one mistake people make when choosing a contractor. Before you call any company do some research first. Information is readily available 24 hours a day on the web. Stay away from people that knock on your door. You will never ever get a good job from someone telling you he has an extra load of asphalt from a job up the street. These people are called travelers and never deliver on what they promise. There is plenty of info on the web regarding these types of people.

Try to zero in on companies that specialize in residential asphalt drives. Commercial contractors excel in putting down lots of asphalt really fast, but usually fall short of a homeowner's expectations when it comes to details. Review a company's website, check them against the BBB or other reporting agencies, and compare your notes about your research. When you look at their website, be sure to pay really close attention to the details you find both in the content and in the pictures on the site. You want to see what kind of work they are capable of, and you want to be confident they fully know what they are doing. You'll also be able to make sure they have adequate equipment if they have good pictures. Once you have 1-3 good companies with a clean history and a good reputation now is the time to talk to them and request a bid. Always get a written proposal. This makes sure both parties' expectations are clear and known. It also helps protect you if a legal matter ensues.

When reviewing the bids pay close attention to the entire proposal; including the letterhead that it's composed on. Sloppiness or inadequacies on paper now may be what you'll get on your asphalt driveway too. Be sure that everything you expect from your paving project is included in the scope. Make sure you understand everything that is taking place. Be sure you understand how the job will be scheduled, how thick the driveway will be after the asphalt is compacted, how much rock will be installed prior to paving, and the dimensions or square footage. Signing a contract means you have accepted what is in writing. If something is left out, make sure you get an amended contract.

Before you sign a contract you should take some time and use good judgment to compare the estimates. Price should never be your number one concern. We'll discuss price in a moment. Take an opportunity to ask a contractor for referrals that best match the design of your job. Some companies keep a cheat sheet of their best referrals, but you should insist they provide you with 1-2 jobs nearby that best match your own asphalt driveway. You want this because you should be inclined to physically investigate what kind of work they do. Ask about jobs they might be doing in the area so you can personally witness them while in action.

How do you know what to look for when looking at a referral driveway that a company has already completed? Here are a few great tips that will bring you up to an educated level.

· Check all the transitional areas such as sidewalks, garage floors, and streets. These should all be flush, with no bump, and should have the proper thickness. Without these details you will see water problems, or unraveling of the asphalt. These symptoms only get worse as time goes on.

· Streaking or pock marks are a good indicator of a thin surface. This happens when there is not enough material to encapsulate the larger stones while paving. The larger stones will tumble and cause imperfections in the surface, or "mat".

· Seams and joints should be flush with each other, and barely visible (if at all) to an untrained eye. Seams and joints that are severely visible or are not evenly matched will fail prematurely.

· Exposed edges of the perimeter should be properly constructed. This is where most companies sink or swim. You should pay most of your attention here. Stand back and carefully look at the edges from a distant point of view. You should observe several aspects: The edges should be either in a perfectly straight line, or consistently "flowing" with the turns. The edges should be properly shaped, beveled, or tamped in a consistent looking 60 degree angle. The edges should be compacted properly without looking "squashed" from the top. Without these characteristics you will have problems later and it just doesn't look as good as it should.

· If you look at the job after a rainstorm, be sure there is no considerable ponding, or puddling of water. If you do see water spots you can quickly deduce if they are too deep by measuring them with a coin placed flat in the water. The water should not be deeper than the coin.

· Last but not least, if the driveway was paved recently look for trash or debris left behind. This will indicate the level of cleanliness the crew is at.

You should really focus on the importance of inspecting past jobs by the company before spending your own money on having your asphalt driveway paved. By printing out this guide you can take it with you to create a checklist to write notes and comparisons on. Once you have done this, talk to the home owner and ask how their experience was with the firm. If you are diligent about researching your contractors prior to hiring them, you nearly eliminate the chance of getting a bad asphalt driveway. It's your money, be sure it's well spent.

Certainly ask your contractor about asphalt prices. Since early 2008 prices have gone up and down every month (typically up). Most paving contractors will not absorb a price increase. You and your contractor need to be in agreement with what will happen in the case of rising material costs.

Since we are on the topic of price now, let's explore a few matters. There are a few ways of eliminating contractors before price. Be sure they are completely aware of your expectations. Have they presented you with a solution that gives you the absolute best return on investment? Does their reputation meet what you are looking for? If you have done your homework and still are lucky enough to have several contractors to choose from, price now becomes an important focus. Ask about available discounts. Typically, discounts are usually for cash payment, multiple jobs done at once (i.e. neighbor also needs a driveway), senior citizen, or repeat work. Also inquire about getting free or discounted maintenance packages once they have completed your driveway. Ask about including other options such as crack barrier or curbing at a lesser amount. Before asking a contractor to directly drop his price, be aware of several things. If you have found a very good contractor, chances are they are very passionate about their work and may feel a bit insulted if asked to match another company's price. If you ask them to match a price and they feel as though their competition is as good as they are, a price reduction might be made to try to satisfy you. Be very considerate when asking for a direct reduction. These days it's very expensive and stressful to operate a successful paving operation. The last thing you want to do is cause your contractor stress that may influence how your driveway is constructed.


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Monday, October 24, 2016

The Importance of Parking Lot Line Painting and Pavement Marking


In business today it's important to be professional. This includes the upkeep of property maintenance inside and outside of the business. Parking lot line painting is one of the most important aspects of external property maintenance and this article explains three excellent reasons why.

1) Appearance

The parking lot of a business acts as a welcome mat for customers and can often act as a first impression to new clients. If the parking lot pavement markings are worn and barely visible it may give the impression to some clients that the owners are irresponsible or that they don't care about the way their property looks. Parking lots simply look better with a fresh coat of high grade traffic paint on the stall lines, handicap symbols, arrows, speed bumps and any other pavement markings the lot might have. When line painting is done it allows that mat to say "welcome" again.

2) Parking Organization

If there is no visible lines to indicate parking spaces in a parking lot, people will park anywhere and everywhere they can fit their vehicle. This is not good since it increases the chance of people getting boxed in and unable to get out of the lot. When parked vehicles are in disarray it can also increase the chance of dings and scratches to vehicles if navigation around the lot is tight and difficult. Parking stalls and drive lanes have regulated sizes for these reasons and a nicely painted lot keeps the parked traffic organized and moving vehicles can be driven through the area safely and easily.

3) Space Maximization

I can't count the number of times I've seen 20 vehicles in a "full" parking lot that could easily fit 24 or 25 automobiles if it had been given the correct line painting job done. It doesn't seem like much but let's say it's a restaurant that averages $50.00 per bill. That adds up to about $200.00 - $250.00 in revenue. This to me would be the most frustrating parking problem for the business owner since most of the time if people can't park at the establishment, they don't shop there either. Painting proper stall lines allows optimal space maximization that fits as many vehicles as the parking lot can safely manage.

These are three basic problems that can be easily avoided if the correct pavement markings are applied to the lot. As long as parking lot line painting is done by professionals it can be one of the quickest and effective aspects of external property maintenance.

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Friday, October 21, 2016

How To Find The Right Asphalt Paving Company That Best Suits Your Needs


A smooth, well-maintained driveway is most essential if you want to make an excellent impression on a visitor to your property. Due to its shiny black appearance, smooth texture, resilience and durability, asphalt is the most preferred choice for constructing driveways. In fact, it is the best material for many other paving jobs such as parking lots, walkways, etc.

However, it is not only the material, but also the way it is installed that determines whether your surface will be as sturdy and long-lasting as you expect it to be. It is important that you hire a good asphalt contractor if you want your property to benefit from the advantages offered by asphalt paving.

If you look around, you may find several asphalt contractors servicing your area. You need to sift through them to find the most skilled, experienced and reliable one to handle your job. And to be sure that you make the correct choice, you should take out time to learn the basics of the process of asphalt paving and know about the essentials that make a good asphalt paving contractor. The pointers given below can help you hire the perfect professional.
  • You should start your search for a suitable contractor by looking in a reliable, high-traffic online local business directory. You can also get references from your relatives, friends or acquaintances in the local construction industry.
  • It is best to avoid 'traveling' contractors who approach you for handling your asphalt job. These contractors may claim to have materials leftover from a previous project and offer to do your work at a discounted price. Take care not to get tempted into hiring such unpredictable services.
  • Determine your budget so that you can select a contractor whose services suit your needs and are also within your budget.
  • Get estimates from at least 3-4 contractors and compare their services before choosing any one. But, remember that lowest bid does not necessarily mean the best option.
  • Feel free to discuss matters such as how long the contractor has been in the industry; machines and equipment owned by it; skills, certifications and training of its technicians; quality of materials and mixtures to be used; etc.
  • Use online resources and also your local network to learn about the reputation these asphalt paving contractors enjoy.
  • It is most imperative that you ask the contractors for local references, preferably recent ones. Check out a few of these references through personal visits to reassure yourself about the quality of the job done, timeliness of project completion, level of customer service, etc.
  • Get a written contract detailing all the terms agreed upon between both the parties before initiating the project.
As an informed customer, you should make sure that you select the best contractor that deliver on its promises and delivers a high quality, durable surface.

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Monday, October 17, 2016

Good Paving Services For Exquisite Homes


We all want to beautify the area around our homes. Paving is a wonderful option in this regard. It not only adds beauty to our homes but also makes us feel secure. Moreover, one can also add value to his homes and offices.

It is very important to maintain the peripherals of one's property. This is because it is the main point of attraction for the people who visit your place. If it is arranged in a proper manner, it leaves a good impression in the visitors' mind. Hence, one needs a good quality paving contractor. They plays a crucial role in beautification of one's home. There are a large number of professional contractors who are contributing their best in making yards, lawns, pavements, walkways and driveways beautiful and safe for the residents.

These contractors carry out a number of tasks such as maintenance of patching, curbs, crack seals, Road work, driveways, parking areas, parks, schools, municipalities, speed bumps, tennis courts, shopping malls, retail centers, gravel work, office buildings etc. Most of these experts provide services to both residential and commercial sectors. Thus, one can make his or her home a better place to rest and work by going for an excellent quality contractor.

One needs to be careful before hiring a paving contractor. One should always choose experts with years of knowledge and experience. The second important thing that should be kept in mind is advanced tools and equipments used by them. Ensure that the contractor that you hire must be equipped with advanced equipments for construction or re-construction of the pavements. If one wants to employ safe and durable pavement, it is crucial to keep the above stated points in mind.

Thus, it becomes clear that the role of paving expert in our lives can not be avoided. One can make his or her home exterior beautiful by choosing experienced Paving contractors.

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Friday, October 14, 2016

Why You Need an Asphalt Sealer on Your Parking Lot


Asphalt sealer makes a huge difference in the visual appeal of a parking lot and the entrance to any business. Driving into a parking lot that has had a fresh coat of asphalt sealer recently applied gives the appearance of a clean, well-kept establishment. But, that's not all sealcoating does! Asphalt sealcoating protects a parking lot surface from the elements and from erosion.

Asphalt pavement is a pliable surface which makes it more forgiving than concrete. Taking years to fully cure, during the first couple of years, especially on hot sunny days, minor scarring can occur from tractor tires and other heavy vehicles making sharp turns. While these dents don't necessarily hurt the structural integrity of the pavements surface, what you should look out for are cracks. Asphalt cracks can indicate a serious issue.

Asphalt Cracks & Water

If you begin seeing asphalt cracks in your parking lots surface, they deserve a closer look. Water that seeps into asphalt though cracks causes damage. As water runs over a parking lot its constant wear and tear breaks down the asphalt, eroding away the smaller pieces. This erosion leads to a bigger problem, foundation erosion. Left untreated, a small crack penetrated by water will turn into a pothole and into a large repair bills.

First Layer of Defense

High-quality, commercial grade asphalt sealer should be applied to a new asphalt parking lot after the surface cures, which will take approximately 90 days. After the initial sealcoating, a good rule of thumb to reapply another coat of asphalt sealer is two years. This time frame can vary slightly depending on a few factors such as climate, amount of wear and tear from traffic and other environmental issues. In general, when the surface of the asphalt begins to fade, it's time to sealcoat.

Sealcoating does exactly what it sounds like it should do. It seals the surface of the parking lot. Once sealed, water will roll off your pavement instead of soaking in to the substructure.

Asphalt Parking Lots Deserve the Best Care

In Florida, with the hot sun, asphalt sealer will dry quickly. In some regions, quick drying additives can be used to speed drying times. However, in most cases, traffic can return to its usual drive patterns within twelve hours.

Installing an asphalt surface can be quite an investment for a commercial property. Protecting such an investment with asphalt sealer just makes good financial sense.

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Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Asphalt Paving Companies - Things to Know Before Calling for a Company


Asphalt pavements have the worst kind of treatment. With time, they start to weather. This often leads to creating mishaps while driving. A clean pavement is not seen much these days, and not many people are aware of asphalt paving companies. A perfect driveway with clean boundaries and a perfect landing for a car park is very much in need.

Most city streets have existing asphalt paving but they are not maintained properly. With natural pollutants such as smoke, air and rain, the pavements get corroded and the asphalt layer soon erodes off. A new coat of asphalt not only evens out the driveways but also ensures a safe and smooth journey. But have you ever wondered what it takes to zero on the right asphalt paving company for your project? It is no doubt a cumbersome job, but a little effort from your end will help you put your worries at bay.

For all driveways, the length and width is measured before getting quotes from various asphalt paving companies. The measurements are taken and the driveway is cleaned to remove dust and dirt for easy layering of asphalt over the existing layer. Most of the contractors quote estimates based on the exact measurements taken from the driveway. For repairing an existing driveway, the old layer of asphalt is scrapped off and the surface is cleaned and polished to put a fresh coat of asphalt mix.

If you had never installed a driveway earlier, you must remove all the grass from the respective area. There should be nothing but flat dirt in the region where you wish to install your driveway. If the dirt foundation is not strong enough, you should prepare one to avoid the asphalt from cracking with the passage of time. Without making a good foundation for a driveway, calling for an asphalt paving company will not be of much use. When you are done with making a strong base, invite quotes from different companies.

The asphalt contractors quote estimations based on the current cost of asphalt, labor charges, material costs and the overall expense for paving the driveway. The client can oversee a few more quotes from various other asphalt paving companies and make a better choice based on the estimate that tallies with the preferred budget.

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Saturday, October 8, 2016

Crack Sealing and Pavement Repair



Pavement cracks need to be filled and/or sealed to prevent water from entering sub-grade layers. Special rubberized materials are applied to the cracks, which seals the pavement and helps to prolong its life.

Application of pavement crack treatments consist of three basic steps:

  • Cleaning the cracks
  • Cutting the reservoir if needed
  • Installing the material

Sealing treatments are used for pavements that primarly have working cracks greater than 1/8 inch. Sealing treatments consist of creating a widened reservoir to provide proper geometry and placement of flexible material that can accommodate the expected movements.

- Sealcoating, crack sealing, striping and pavement repair. We do it all.

- Filling Asphalt Cracks in your asphalt driveway or parking lot surface will be a very important part of extending the life of your asphalt surface.

- The forces of nature do their best to break down the surface, creating cracks and potholes, which decreases the life of your driveway or parking lot. We specialize in maintenance and repair to help you extend the life of your asphalt.

Call Vaca Vet Striping at 707-592-8331 for an estimate

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Asphalt Paving Driveway Maintenance Tips


Asphalt paving or Hot Mix Asphalt is typically what one thinks of when installing driveways of new homes. It is by far one of the least expensive methods for paving a surface in new home construction sites. Properly installed asphalt paved driveways have a life expectancy of about thirty or more years.

These asphalt paved driveways consist of rock particles, sand, and asphalt cement, which make it flexible and durable at the same time. New asphalt is by far the most flexible because it still retains many of the lighter hydrocarbon oils that make up its DNA structure. Crushed gravel makes up the foundation on which the asphalt is laid, to promote stability of the asphalt structure. By laying five to eight inches of gravel beneath the asphalt you are ensuring a greater life expectancy for your asphalt driveway. Also by having your asphalt paving company install your asphalt finish at least one foot before the asphalt covers the gravel, you are allowing your asphalt driveway to not crack when visitors drive to the edge of the finished surface. This will give greater flexibility and allow your asphalt driveway to look as nice as it can for as long as possible. The next step is to seal your asphalt driveway after about six to nine months.

The new asphalt driveway must cure out over that time frame. If sealed to quickly, the hydrocarbon oils that give the asphalt paving its flexibility will cause it to be too flexible, thus, allowing greater marks to exist over time. When it is time to seal your asphalt paved driveway, remember to put at least two coats of high quality seal coat over the entire driveway. This is to be repeated every three to five years for the maximum life expectancy of your asphalt paved driveway. By being patient and following this advice, your asphalt paved driveway will be around for many years to come. Take good care of it and it will definitely add character to your home. Asphalt paving or Hot Mix Asphalt is and will always be the best alternative for those seeking to pave surfaces in a flexible manner.

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