Things to Consider Before Hiring An Asphalt Paving Company

The use of asphalt demands specific methods as well as tools. So when it's time for you to repave your driveway, the sidewalk of your business or even a parking lot, you have to pick an asphalt paving company that provides the absolute best service for your needs.

For a number of individuals, choosing an asphalt paving company appears like an easy thing to do. Usually, you only contact several companies over the phone, get a quotation, and then pick the cheapest one. Though this method may be acceptable for many, it's certainly not for someone who is after quality results, or if the work carried out is worth every penny spent. There are numerous points you need to consider before you pick a paving company for your project.

Listed here are several recommendations when choosing a good asphalt paving company

The first thing you want to do is to actually gather info about the outfit. Check the company's background, the number of years they have been in business, as well as feedbacks of their former tasks or jobs. It's similarly essential to find out if the company's license and insurance coverage are legal as well as in good standing. Ensure that the company is connected well for your own protection.

An additional important suggestion is to talk to the individual in charge, or ideally the manager of the company. You would want to speak with them with regards to information about the prospective job like the steps they will undertake when it comes to paving, how long the process will be, and other vital issues that you'd like talk about. This is your chance to obtain information concerning the business and it will make you determine whether this company satisfies your expectations.

Ask for an estimate before starting the task. Almost all businesses will undoubtedly support you with this particular demand. It will most likely help you to know if the budget you allotted for this certain project is good enough.

Ask the company if they provide an all-inclusive service. You won't want to use one company with regard to sidewalks and a totally different one for your driveways or parking lots. With regards to convenience, choose an outfit that can take care of all your needs.

It is extremely necessary to take into consideration the expertise of the asphalt paving company before hiring them. A legit contractor certainly has past projects that they will show off. You can attempt requesting some people who might have been former customers, or have worked with said contractor about how good the end result of their work is.

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Driveway Sealers Provide For A Long Lasting Driveway

For the proper maintenance of an asphalt driveway you should include the application of an asphalt sealer. There are various kinds of sealers available on the market today and it can either be applied professionally or completed by the homeowner. Regular maintenance by adding a sealant to the asphalt driveway is done every three to four years to keep the road way looking great.

By sealing the asphalt driveway with a protective covering you go a long way toward preventing the material from deteriorating. The ultraviolet rays coming from the sun, leaked oils and grease, and road salts are all elements that can deteriorate the driveway. When all of these elements are combined, the binder material of the asphalt will surely deteriorate and its aggregate layer is going to be exposed to the natural elements. There are several types of driveway sealers but getting the right one for your situation is actually an easy task.

Sealers are of two basic varieties, the coal tar and the asphalt. The products are contained in an emulsion material which is generally oil-based. Sealers can also contain polymers, sand, latex, clay and other additives that are necessary to fill in the cracks and provide further protection against the harmful sun rays, oils and salt that come in contact in the surface of the driveway. The applications based on coal tar are actually produced from a by-product of the process of coal production and they are known to be the tougher application. Products made of coal tar will give off more toxic odors and they are not environmentally friendly like the products based on asphalt. The emulsion will bond with the asphalt driveway so that it gives protection. A majority of stains like oil and grease can also be removed easily if the driveway is sealed. A lot of asphalt based sealing products do have some coal tar but generally they are friendlier to the environment and slightly much easier to apply.

These do it yourself products can be purchased in all hardware stores, home improvement shops and a lot of retail stores. These products can be easily applied by using a roller and squeegee. This can also be done in just one day. The available asphalt sealers for professional pavement sealing business are generally of higher quality and of longer life. A homeowner has to make up his mind on when and how the driveway should be protected. This is something that should be done regularly.

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Construction of Asphalted Surfaces - How to Choose A Contractor

Are you planning to hire a contractor who will take charge of the construction of a drive way, parking lot or a tennis court for you? You need to be prepared to spend good money on this project in order to ensure that the surface that is created lasts very long and does not give you any trouble. However, are you certain that the contractor you are planning to hire is a reliable one? The following tips will help you select one who will do the job for you in the best manner possible.

At the very outset, you need to check whether the construction company has the necessary expertise and equipment to get the job done. Asphalting a surface, even one as short as your driveway, is a complicated job involving various processes. If the contractor is not able to handle the job properly then the surface that is created will not last very long.

At the same time, there is a possibility that well established and popular businesses will not be able to give you the level of attention you require. You should only give your business to a company whose representative takes the time out to understand what your specific needs are and also whether your property has any unique problems. This will ensure that you are offered a solution that matches your needs.

Make sure that you deal with a company that is known for sticking to precise timelines. The last thing you need is a construction crew stationed on your property for days on end. The company you give your contract to should be able to inform you in writing regarding the completion date of the project. You will also get a good idea about a company's level of professionalism from its ability to stick to a schedule. It is also a very good idea to enquire whether the contractor has taken the necessary insurances that will protect you in the event of any accident whilst the work is going on in your property.

Feel free to ask the company for any references of clients for whom it has done work in the past. If the construction company is hesitant about sharing this information then you have every reason to be suspicious about the quality of services it offers. If you choose your contractor based upon these tips then you can be sure that you will be satisfied with the results of its work.

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Professional Asphalt Paving Contractor's In California

Choosing an asphalt paving contractor can be a major event if you don't take cautionary measures to ensure proper work to be conducted. First, you must review your service provider's credentials and make sure that they have a well-known history of success in the asphalt paving industry. Consequently, make sure they are licensed and or bonded before any work is conducted. Furthermore, get proposals from different companies to make the best choice that meets your needs and price specifications.

Be sure to conduct your own research on the asphalt paving company's work that has already been done for other consumers like yourself. Lastly, you want to get a written agreement of the final job costs to ensure that you have a binding legal agreement between the asphalt paving contractor and yourself. At least this way you will have plenty of ammunition against the contractor if things get out of hand and have to go to court. A professional asphalt paver should have nothing to worry about when asked to submit references and a paving license. If so, you should be wary of conducting business with such companies.

Paving companies should be out to provide you with the best services possible and should be will to make your experience one to remember. Never rush into an asphalt paving job without having all of the facts in front of you. Once you give your money to the contractor, you have no more bargaining power.

Finding the best asphalt paving contractor can be daunting work if you don't take the proper steps to ensure your work conducted will be professional in nature. But, by following these simple guidelines you can rest assured that you will be working with a professional asphalt paving contractor in your area.

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Proper Maintenance for Asphalt Pavement

Asphalt is among the most popular commercial paving materials used today due to its water-resistance, flexibility, aesthetic appeal, and excellent adhesive abilities. All of these properties and more make asphalt pavement an asset that requires a structured level of preservation and care. Otherwise, it is prone to fading, damage, instability, and various other negative implications. With proper preventative maintenance, asphalt pavements can remain beautiful and functional for years. Not only is this ideal for investment purposes, but for liability as well. If you are an involved property owner, continue reading to learn the best methods for asphalt maintenance and care.

Asphalt Maintenance

Although pavement maintenance agendas will differ from property to property, the overall purpose of asphalt maintenance is to sustain its appeal and extend its life. Some paving maintenance tasks can be managed on your own or by an appointed staff, such as inspections and trash clearance; while others are best left in the hands of trained and equipped professionals. An ideal pavement maintenance should include basic tasks like regular assessments, sweeping, crack filling, pothole repair, periodic line striping, and most importantly, seal coating. Without a proper sealcoat, asphalt pavements will experience heightened wear and tear from traffic, weather, chemicals, salts, and more, which shortens their life and diminishes their aesthetic value.

Asphalt Seal Coating

Seal coats are emulsions that are brushed or sprayed onto pavements, providing a clear protective layer against moisture and the above-mentioned threats. There are several types of commercial sealcoats available on the market, but the most popular versions include fog seal, slurry seal, and chip seal emulsions. Some sealcoat products are water-based, which are easier and safer to spread. But there are also waterless versions that use organic or plant-based oils or hydrocarbon solvents instead.

Choosing to Seal Coat

If your asphalt pavement is old and in poor condition, it will not likely benefit from a new layer of seal coat. In some cases, it is more cost-effective to repair or replace deteriorated asphalt pavements instead. However, if your asphalt is in good condition, a periodic re-sealing can be a highly-beneficial maintenance decision. Talk to your trusted paving contractor for a professional recommendation of your asphalt's maintenance and sealcoating schedule. They will know exactly what your property needs and at what intervals. The cost of having your asphalt seal-coated will depend on several factors, such as the square footage, the condition of pavement, and any additional surface applications needed.

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If You're Happy With Your Sealcoater--Stick With Them

If you don’t have a regular sealcoater, by all means, go out and get some bids, compare prices and see who you’re most comfortable with. But if you’ve used a sealcoater in the past and were happy with their services, why wouldn’t you hire them again?

Too many people are focused on the price—they don’t take into account the variables that can affect the price. The biggest is the product they use, coal tar and asphalt emulsion sealers are water based and contractors can save themselves a lot of money by diluting the material. Over-diluted material won’t last. If you’re getting bids that are coming in for less than it would cost to do the job yourself, there’s a problem. It should always cost more to have a professional sealcoat your driveway than it would if you did it yourself. Isn’t it worth a little extra to know the job is being done the right way by someone you trust? We give 20% tips at restaurants, even when the service isn’t great—it makes more sense to pay 20% more to the sealcoater that has given you proven results in the past, than to try to save a few bucks on someone new. It’s tough for contractors these days; everyone’s looking for the cheapest price. They can offer great customer service and a great product and lose a longtime customer because their bid was $10 higher.

Resist the urge to save a few dollars and reward good contractors by becoming a repeat customer.

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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 ordinarily 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 pieces of advice 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 a 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 of your search. This will also give you an idea of the kind of equipment 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 a lower cost of asphalt paving but lower in quality.

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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. Overtime, 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 are 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 a 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 are 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 overlays strength. 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 to 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 for 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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Professional Line Painting and Pavement Marking

Making sure your parking lot lines are repainted when they fade is not only important for the safety of the drivers that use your parking lot, but it also says a lot about your business. When your parking lot lines, speed bumps, arrows and handicaps are freshly painted it shows that you take pride in your business and makes your place of business look great.

Not all line painting service providers are equal. You will find that some line painting companies are conscientious and take time to make sure the job is done well while some companies only want to get in and out as fast as possible.

When you choose your provider there are a couple things you can do to make sure you are get a quality job. First, visit the provider's website. Is there website professionally done or does it look like they just threw it up in a day? Look for pictures of their work. Do their lines look straight? Is there any overspray? Do they use nice stencils, or do they used outdated or ugly fonts and arrows? Line painting should always offer free quotes, so when they come in to estimate your parking lot it is a good opportunity to get a sense of what kind of people are working for the company.

If you really want to be sure, the best thing you can do is ask for the address of a job they recently painted which is in the area. Then you can go and observe how much care they used in their painting.
Here are some other things to consider. Line painting should only be done in warmer weather and the road needs to be completely dry. It can not be done when the pavement is damp from rainfall. Also, the cleaner the pavement the better. In order to ensure the maximum durability of your paint job you may want to consider pressure washing the pavement if it is particularly dirty or grimy. Line painting should be done every 1-2 years for high traffic areas and every 2-4 years for low traffic areas.

The next time you need to get your parking lot repainted remember to use these tips to evaluate the different line painting providers that work in your area. Once you find a good line painting company make sure you keep their business card and use them the next time you need your lines done. It will be easy for them to repaint your lines and pavement markings because they are sure to have matching stencils. Good luck!

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Tips For Choosing the Best Asphalt Paving and Maintenance Company

When you're ready to get your asphalt driveway paved, you want to make sure that you're hiring the very best company for your needs. If you're going to put out the money and spend the time to get it paved, you want it paved correctly! You also want to make sure that company can handle any maintenance that needs to be performed after the paving job. Here are some important tips for choosing the best asphalt paving and maintenance company.

Make Sure the Company is Reputable -

Before you hire an asphalt paving and maintenance company, you want to make sure they are good standing and well respected within your community. There are a few different ways to check this and the first one would be to get references. The more recent the references are, the better. Actually call the contact numbers and speak with the people. Find out how they liked the paving job and how long it took.

Also, ask if the estimated price was what they ended up paying and whether they would hire the company again. This is a great way to find out if a company is worth hiring or not. You can also check out their job pictures as a great idea of how good their work is. Many companies will have their gallery right on their website for you to view, making it easy for you to judge their work.

Interview the Owner -

Another great way to be able to judge a company you're thinking of hiring is to interview the owner or the person who will be supervising the paving. Ask them important questions - like whether or not they are insured, licensed and bonded. Find out what kind of asphalt they will be using and why they use a particular kind. Ask them to walk you through what happens during a paving and how long it takes to complete.

This will give you a great feel for the company. If the owner or supervisor doesn't speak to you directly or hurries you as if they have other things to do, you may want to consider another company. If a company doesn't have time to talk to the customers (who, by the way, pay the bills), what are the chances that they are going to take their time and do an excellent job on your driveway?

Get an Estimate -

Have someone come to your home that represents the company and get an estimate. Most places will provide you with a free one. Find out each thing they quote a price for and ask them why it's necessary. Some contractors will quote unnecessary work just to get more money out of you. If they don't have a really great reason for doing the work, move on to the next company.

By using these suggestions before hiring an asphalt paving and maintenance company, you can save yourself time and money - and prevent yourself from being swindled or taken advantage of.

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