Saturday, December 31, 2022
Friday, December 30, 2022
Repair or Replace? What To Do About Your Aging Asphalt Parking Lot
Nothing lasts forever, and asphalt is no exception. There comes a time with every parking lot where you need to ask whether it’s time to repair it, or replace it altogether.
A properly paved asphalt lot can last 20 – 30 years, but the lifespan and condition of any lot depend on many factors. Let’s take a look at the various kinds of damage and repairs, and when you should replace a lot entirely.
The Types of Asphalt Damage
Cracking
Cracking can take many forms, including shrinkage, widening, edge cracks, slippage, alligator cracks, and reflection. Cracks are caused by many different factors, such as water penetration, oxidation from the sun, freezing, and thawing, and poor initial construction. Even the most minor cracks should be sealed as soon as possible, as small cracks can grow into bigger problems. Water or other debris can settle inside, causing the crack to grow, softening the base, and further threatening the integrity of the pavement. Larger cracks may be a warning sign of deeper issues.
Rutting
Rutting is when the pavement shows depressions, or grooves, from wear and tear caused by wheel loads. Ruts can be dangerous, leading to vehicles hydroplaning (from ponded water) that can result in loss of driver control. They can also be a result of deeper sub-soil or design problems, and lead to further deterioration. Ruts less than ⅓ inch deep can generally be left as is, but deeper ruts should be leveled and resurfaced.
When It’s Time To Repair
Crack Sealing
Crack sealing is exactly what it sounds like – filling small cracks to prevent further damage. Cracks that are straight or less than a quarter-inch wide can easily be repaired with a liquid filler. Before sealcoating or resurfacing, all cracks and existing damage must be repaired, so crack sealing is the first step towards further repair and necessary ongoing maintenance responsibility. A yearly schedule of crack sealing is best to prolong the life of your lot.
Seal Coating
After you’ve filled any cracks, you can apply a layer of sealcoating. Sealant keeps the lot looking new and prevents corrosion from a variety of elements, including water, oxidation, UV rays, and oil and gas spills. The ideal time to seal asphalt pavement is when deterioration is first discovered. A new asphalt lot should not be sealed until it is at least 6 months old, and should be resealed every 2 – 4 years, depending on weather and amount of traffic.
Resurfacing (aka overlaying)
Resurfacing, also known as overlaying, adds a new layer of asphalt, generally 1.5 – 2 inches in depth, on top of the older one. If done right, a new layer of asphalt can add 8 – 15 years to your current lot and costs less than a full replacement. All cracks and damage to the old layer need to be repaired before resurfacing, as un-repaired cracks will undermine the new layer. Resurfacing in cold weather can lead to premature deterioration, so the rule of thumb is to pave when temperatures are 50° F and above. Just because a lot is showing serious wear and tear and cracking, that doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced. Resurfacing is a great option to improve the condition of your lot without spending a lot of money.
Mill and Resurface
Resurfacing sometimes is not an option due to existing drainage patterns. When this is an issue milling and resurfacing may be a viable choice. Milling the surface involves the removal of the top layer of asphalt (usually 1” to 1.5”). Once the asphalt is removed, it is then replaced with a new layer of asphalt. Though this is one of the more expensive repairs, the quality of the final product and the service life can rival that of a new parking lot.
When It’s Time to Replace
Sometimes, a parking lot is beyond the point where even resurfacing will help. The answer to whether you should repair or replace essentially comes down to the condition of the lot’s base. Resurfacing is only as good as the surface it is layered on top of. If your parking lot is failing due to an underlying design, structural, sub-soil, or construction issue, none of the resurfacing options listed above will solve the problem in the long term. Though the parking lot will initially look better, the “repair” will be short-lived.
If a parking lot is approaching 20 years of age, or if 25-35% of the total surface area is in need of removal due to significant damage, it is generally more economical and effective to completely reconstruct the parking lot. With proper maintenance, your new lot can last another 20 – 30 years.
Proper evaluation and recommendations are critical to avoid any financial missteps in getting your parking lot back on-line.
Article Source: https://www.gleassociates.com/repair-or-replace-what-to-do-about-your-aging-asphalt-parking-lot/
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Wishing You a Peaceful and Joyous Holiday from Vaca Vet Striping!
Friday, December 23, 2022
Christmas ambience with instrumental Christmas jazz music and crackling fireplace
This video will help you relax, study and work with soothing background music that will help you stay focused and productive. You will enjoy relaxing scenery all around you with beautiful sounds of nature, peaceful piano music and soothing voice-overs.
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Choosing Asphalt or Concrete
Asphalt or Concrete? This is a segment that was aired on the HomeWoRx television show with Gary Sullivan on network TV in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hear the pros and cons of installing an asphalt or concrete driveway.
Vaca Vet Striping has got you covered. We have 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. Vaca Vet Striping service area is Solano, Napa, Yolo, and Sacramento counties.
Monday, December 19, 2022
How Sealcoating Extends the Life of Your Driveway
Extend the life of of your driveway and improve the curb appeal of your property with sealcoating
Sealcoating will protect your pavement from oxidation, oil and chemical spills. It enhances the appearance of your building and landscape, protects against water penetration from rain, extends the pavement life, safeguarding your investment.
Contact us at 707-592-8331
Friday, December 16, 2022
When Should I Restripe My Parking Lot?
Typically it's a good idea to restripe your parking lot every 18 to 24 months, depending on your location and climate. Restriping your parking lot enhances curb appeal and the safety of your customers.
If you own a parking lot, it is important to make sure that the lot is always in the best shape possible, naturally. You want it asphalt to be intact and sealed, and you want the stripes and spaces in the lot to be clear and bright. It offers a range of benefits for your parking lot and business. There are many times that you should consider restriping the parking lot.
Typically, it is going to be a good idea to restripe about every 18 to 24 months, at least. However, it will also depend on the location of your business, and a host of other factors.
For example, if you live in a climate where it snows, you probably rely on snowplows to come along and remove the snow from your parking lot. While this is beneficial to ensure that your parking lot is up and usable for the customers, it also means that there is the potential for those plows to scrape away some of the lines in the parking lot. In those cases, it is generally going to be a good idea to restripe annually. After the last snow of the year has gone, set up an appointment to have your parking lot restriped or paint new parking lot lines yourself.
After Sealcoating
If you have had asphalt repairs and sealcoating on your parking lot, then you are certainly going to need to have restriping completed before you can open up the parking lot to your customers. The sealcoating is going to cover up the lines, so once it has dried, you will need to make sure that you have someone come out to add the stripes to the parking lot.
Keep Up With the ADA Code
In addition, you will want to be sure that you keep up with the requirements from the American Disability Act. This will indicate what you are going to need in terms of disabled parking spaces, and you need to be sure your parking lot is fully compliant. In some cases, this might mean having a striping company come out to your parking lot as soon as possible to make the updates to help bring the parking lot up to code.
What Are the Benefits of Regular Restriping?
For starters, you want to think about the curb appeal of the property. Having nice clean and easy to see lines in the parking lot is going to make it look better. We’ve all seen old parking lots that don’t have lines or whose lines have faded over the years. They look neglected. If the owner doesn’t care enough to take care of the parking lot striping, it typically means they do not care much about the buildings and stores that are in the parking lot, or the rest of the upkeep they should be taking care of.
If you are planning to resell the property, not painting the strips and improving that curb appeal is going to hurt the resale value. It might seem like a small thing, but it is very important. It will help to show that the business is well cared for, and that can help to make getting a sale easier.
In addition, there is a safety factor that you have to think about when it comes to the parking lot. If the parking lot has not properly been striped, it means that people are not going to know where to park properly, and this can cause confusion and an element of danger in the parking lot. You need to have clear parking spots and directional lines in your parking lot for the safety of the vehicles and drivers, as well as pedestrians that are walking through the parking lot.
And if you've ever been in a parking lot in a snowstorm, you know that not being able to see the parking lot lines means people put a lot of space between their cars and you get fewer of them in a lot. If you have a busy business, using every parking space affects your bottom line: make it clear to your customers where they can park.
High traffic parking areas often add reflective glass beads in the stripes, which are going to be easier to see in the evening when headlights hit them. These can add an extra layer of safety, and they can be a nice solution for many types of parking lots, including airports and hospitals.
Get In Touch With Professionals
Now that you know why and when you should be restriping your parking lot, it is time to get in touch with a company that can take care of the restriping for you. Always make sure that you are dealing with professionals who have the right equipment and who understand ADA compliancy. Many times, the same company that you hire to take care of the asphalt repair and the sealcoating will be able to offer the restriping services you need. It could be a good idea to have one company that can take care of everything needed for your parking lot.
Article Source: https://blog.asphaltkingdom.com/when-to-restripe-parking-lot
If you own a parking lot, it is important to make sure that the lot is always in the best shape possible, naturally. You want it asphalt to be intact and sealed, and you want the stripes and spaces in the lot to be clear and bright. It offers a range of benefits for your parking lot and business. There are many times that you should consider restriping the parking lot.
Typically, it is going to be a good idea to restripe about every 18 to 24 months, at least. However, it will also depend on the location of your business, and a host of other factors.
For example, if you live in a climate where it snows, you probably rely on snowplows to come along and remove the snow from your parking lot. While this is beneficial to ensure that your parking lot is up and usable for the customers, it also means that there is the potential for those plows to scrape away some of the lines in the parking lot. In those cases, it is generally going to be a good idea to restripe annually. After the last snow of the year has gone, set up an appointment to have your parking lot restriped or paint new parking lot lines yourself.
After Sealcoating
If you have had asphalt repairs and sealcoating on your parking lot, then you are certainly going to need to have restriping completed before you can open up the parking lot to your customers. The sealcoating is going to cover up the lines, so once it has dried, you will need to make sure that you have someone come out to add the stripes to the parking lot.
Keep Up With the ADA Code
In addition, you will want to be sure that you keep up with the requirements from the American Disability Act. This will indicate what you are going to need in terms of disabled parking spaces, and you need to be sure your parking lot is fully compliant. In some cases, this might mean having a striping company come out to your parking lot as soon as possible to make the updates to help bring the parking lot up to code.
What Are the Benefits of Regular Restriping?
For starters, you want to think about the curb appeal of the property. Having nice clean and easy to see lines in the parking lot is going to make it look better. We’ve all seen old parking lots that don’t have lines or whose lines have faded over the years. They look neglected. If the owner doesn’t care enough to take care of the parking lot striping, it typically means they do not care much about the buildings and stores that are in the parking lot, or the rest of the upkeep they should be taking care of.
If you are planning to resell the property, not painting the strips and improving that curb appeal is going to hurt the resale value. It might seem like a small thing, but it is very important. It will help to show that the business is well cared for, and that can help to make getting a sale easier.
In addition, there is a safety factor that you have to think about when it comes to the parking lot. If the parking lot has not properly been striped, it means that people are not going to know where to park properly, and this can cause confusion and an element of danger in the parking lot. You need to have clear parking spots and directional lines in your parking lot for the safety of the vehicles and drivers, as well as pedestrians that are walking through the parking lot.
And if you've ever been in a parking lot in a snowstorm, you know that not being able to see the parking lot lines means people put a lot of space between their cars and you get fewer of them in a lot. If you have a busy business, using every parking space affects your bottom line: make it clear to your customers where they can park.
High traffic parking areas often add reflective glass beads in the stripes, which are going to be easier to see in the evening when headlights hit them. These can add an extra layer of safety, and they can be a nice solution for many types of parking lots, including airports and hospitals.
Get In Touch With Professionals
Now that you know why and when you should be restriping your parking lot, it is time to get in touch with a company that can take care of the restriping for you. Always make sure that you are dealing with professionals who have the right equipment and who understand ADA compliancy. Many times, the same company that you hire to take care of the asphalt repair and the sealcoating will be able to offer the restriping services you need. It could be a good idea to have one company that can take care of everything needed for your parking lot.
Article Source: https://blog.asphaltkingdom.com/when-to-restripe-parking-lot
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Inspecting ADA-compliant curb ramps
This training video shows how to properly inspect ADA-compliant curb ramps. The information is current as of March 18, 2020.
Friday, December 9, 2022
Is Your Parking Lot ADA Compliant?
Accessible parking spaces to be 9’-0” wide with adjacent 5’-0” wide
aisle on passenger side. Perimeter of access aisle to be painted blue.
Within border hatched lines at 36” on center. “NO PARKING” to be
painted in each access aisle in 12” high letters.
Source: http://ada.ashdownarch.com/?p=78
Source: http://ada.ashdownarch.com/?p=78
If your parking lot is not, or if you're not sure, give Vaca Vet Striping a call! 707.592.8331
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, V.V.S. will provide
professional and timely work.
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
The 5 Cost-Saving Benefits of Sealcoating your Parking Lot
It takes 7 seconds for people to form a first impression of your business. That doesn’t give you a lot of time to be impressive.
Talk to any real estate agent and they will tell you about the importance of curb appeal when selling a property. The same is true for your business. you might not be looking for someone to buy your business, but you do want to attract customers to buy your products.
As soon as your customers drive up to your location, they’re already forming their first impressions. Sealcoating your paved parking lot is an excellent way to keep up your curb appeal and make a positive impression.
Let’s look at several benefits of sealcoating your parking lot.
1. Water-Resistant
Asphalt is a durable and long-lasting substance. That’s why it is popular for roads, parking lots, driveways, and more.
However, water is a big enemy.
Asphalt is a porous material. This means that moisture can get down inside the asphalt. When it does, this speeds up degradation and deterioration of the pavement.
In the winter months, this is further exacerbated by freezing temperatures. If you remember back to high school science class, water expands as it freezes.
So when the temperature drops, any moisture that is trapped in the asphalt can freeze and expand, causing cracks and damage to the asphalt.
Sealcoating the asphalt will diminish this effect significantly. The sealant protects the asphalt by creating a barrier that water can’t penetrate.
Snow and ice sitting on top of the asphalt can also cause problems. Not only can it be dangerous by causing cars to slide out of control, but also having water sitting on top of it constantly exacerbates the water exposure problem.
Sealcoating helps make snow and ice melt faster — protecting both your pavement and your customers and their vehicles.
2. Oxidation-Resistant
Water isn’t the only danger that asphalt faces. The sun is another element that your asphalt parking lot will face daily that can cause damage.
Asphalt contains a mix of oils that keep it supple and helps it maintain its flexibility. Constant sun exposure can dry out these oils, in essence, “baking” the asphalt.
At first, as the asphalt dries out it may simply be more prone to cracking. Eventually, the material will become so brittle and weak that it can begin to crumble away.
Obviously, that type of disrepair isn’t the kind of impression you want to make on your customers!
Sealcoating helps slow the evaporation of the oils and keeps the asphalt “hydrated” for a longer period of time.
3. Chemical-Resistant
Asphalt is also exposed to a number of different chemicals. Cars can leak a variety of fluids including oil, gas, antifreeze, brake fluid, and more.
Just like water, these liquids can seep down into the porous asphalt. Depending on the substance they can cause even more damage than plain old water.
When you sealcoat asphalt, the same barrier that inhibits water from getting down into the pavement keeps these other liquids and chemicals out and minimizes the damage they can cause.
4. Replace Asphalt Less Frequently
What do the first three benefits we’ve talked about mean for your parking lot? Simple. You won’t have to repave it as frequently.
Though asphalt is durable and long-lasting, if you want to keep your parking lot in tip-top shape, you’ll need to replace it periodically. Remember, curb appeal is important for your business and a shoddy parking lot doesn’t make a good impression.
But replacing asphalt is an expensive and tedious process.
The weather/temperature has to be just right otherwise the asphalt won’t harden as it should when it cools. Rain can also complicate the installation as water exposure will cause significant problems with the asphalt before it solidifies.
It’s also an inconvenience. Your customers may not be able to use the parking lot while it is being repaved. Depending on your location, that could mean that you’ll have to close your business completely during the installation.
This means not only an expensive maintenance bill but also you’ll miss out on sales — hitting your wallet even harder.
Sealcoating your parking lot is a far less involved project. It won’t take as long and it isn’t as expensive. And it will drastically lengthen the lifespan of your asphalt, cutting down on how often it needs to be replaced.
In short, sealcoating is certainly preferable to the inconvenience of replacing asphalt.
5. Aesthetic Appeal
Aside from repairing cracked or crumbling asphalt, replacing your asphalt has one big benefit. It looks so nice afterward!
Fresh asphalt has that dark, smooth finish that looks so sharp and screams well-maintained. Unfortunately, it begins to fade to an ugly gray over time and with exposure to the elements.
Did you know that sealcoating creates that same dark look? It also helps maintain that look for a longer period of time due to the benefits we’ve already mentioned.
A fresh application of sealcoat will cover small cracks and other imperfections. It also goes on black — just like asphalt. So you get the fresh dark look, without the hassle of installing new asphalt. Simply paint the lines back on your parking lot and it will look brand new!
Find Your Sealcoating Professionals
Ready to breathe new life into your parking lot without going to the expense and hassle of replacing the asphalt? Then it’s time to look into sealcoating.
Obviously, that type of disrepair isn’t the kind of impression you want to make on your customers!
Sealcoating helps slow the evaporation of the oils and keeps the asphalt “hydrated” for a longer period of time.
3. Chemical-Resistant
Asphalt is also exposed to a number of different chemicals. Cars can leak a variety of fluids including oil, gas, antifreeze, brake fluid, and more.
Just like water, these liquids can seep down into the porous asphalt. Depending on the substance they can cause even more damage than plain old water.
When you sealcoat asphalt, the same barrier that inhibits water from getting down into the pavement keeps these other liquids and chemicals out and minimizes the damage they can cause.
4. Replace Asphalt Less Frequently
What do the first three benefits we’ve talked about mean for your parking lot? Simple. You won’t have to repave it as frequently.
Though asphalt is durable and long-lasting, if you want to keep your parking lot in tip-top shape, you’ll need to replace it periodically. Remember, curb appeal is important for your business and a shoddy parking lot doesn’t make a good impression.
But replacing asphalt is an expensive and tedious process.
The weather/temperature has to be just right otherwise the asphalt won’t harden as it should when it cools. Rain can also complicate the installation as water exposure will cause significant problems with the asphalt before it solidifies.
It’s also an inconvenience. Your customers may not be able to use the parking lot while it is being repaved. Depending on your location, that could mean that you’ll have to close your business completely during the installation.
This means not only an expensive maintenance bill but also you’ll miss out on sales — hitting your wallet even harder.
Sealcoating your parking lot is a far less involved project. It won’t take as long and it isn’t as expensive. And it will drastically lengthen the lifespan of your asphalt, cutting down on how often it needs to be replaced.
In short, sealcoating is certainly preferable to the inconvenience of replacing asphalt.
5. Aesthetic Appeal
Aside from repairing cracked or crumbling asphalt, replacing your asphalt has one big benefit. It looks so nice afterward!
Fresh asphalt has that dark, smooth finish that looks so sharp and screams well-maintained. Unfortunately, it begins to fade to an ugly gray over time and with exposure to the elements.
Did you know that sealcoating creates that same dark look? It also helps maintain that look for a longer period of time due to the benefits we’ve already mentioned.
A fresh application of sealcoat will cover small cracks and other imperfections. It also goes on black — just like asphalt. So you get the fresh dark look, without the hassle of installing new asphalt. Simply paint the lines back on your parking lot and it will look brand new!
Find Your Sealcoating Professionals
Ready to breathe new life into your parking lot without going to the expense and hassle of replacing the asphalt? Then it’s time to look into sealcoating.
Article Source: https://www.mdpavingpros.com/the-5-cost-saving-benefits-of-sealcoating-your-parking-lot/
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Friday, December 2, 2022
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:
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:
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
Thursday, December 1, 2022
The World's Most Recycled Material
Exploring the complexities that go into the creation and application of asphalt concrete.
Of all the ubiquitous things in our environment, roads are probably one of the least noticed. Our roads see tremendous volumes of traffic and withstand considerable variations in weather and climate, and they do it on a pretty tight budget. That’s really only possible because of all the scientists, engineers, contractors, and public works crews keeping up with this simple but incredible material called asphalt.
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