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Paving - What You Need to Know Before Starting a Paving Project!

Paving

Paving is described by Wikipedia as 'a stone or tile structure, the paving, which can serve as a floor or external feature... can be made of flagstones which are used for things like paving gardens.

History

Paving has been used for thousands of years. In fact, some roads and paths built by the Romans with tightly fitting pavers over a base aggregate, two thousand years ago still form the base for modern roads in parts of Europe. If nothing else, this tells us that they're durable!

Today

Whilst we spend a lot of time and money on being creative on the inside of our houses, it won't have the same impact if we neglect the exterior.

The outside of the house is what people see first. The idea that 'first impressions count' is a valid one. If your property has not been maintained and/or improved on the outside via considered landscaping, then it will detract from all your efforts on the inside. People will have that negative first impression which will be hard to overcome.

Likewise, people spend a lot of time in their yards, children are encouraged to get outside and do something physical rather than sitting in front of the PC. You're more likely to enjoy spending time outside or entertaining, if the backyard looks good.

Paved Areas

A big part of any landscaping or improvement is paving, be it a paved driveway, a paved edging to an existing driveway, a paved path, edging along garden beds, or a paved patio.

We have found that a lot of people are finding that maintaining a large lawn area is, not only time consuming, but more difficult with water restrictions. One way of cutting down on their lawn area is to have a paving feature which adds a bit of character to the yard as well as reducing the time and work involved in upkeep.

By utilizing one of a range of paving styles, you are able to create a unique paved area that will lift your yard. Your landscape advisor should be able to show you a range of styles from which to choose and suggest what would work best for what you are hoping to achieve.

Questions to Ask

Before beginning any paving project you need to answer a few questions, whether it be a paved driveway, a driveway border, a paving path, garden edging, a paved patio or bbq area. How big is the area to be paved? What colour scheme are you after? What is the existing surface and how will you need to prepare it for the paving? Do you need to allow for water run off? What about weed control? These are all important questions which need to be answered. Your paving professional will be able to help you answer these and other more technical questions.

Paving versus Concrete

If comparing pavers to concrete, consider that concrete can crack, breakup and stain, becoming unsightly and lowering the value of your home. Pavers, on the other hand, have a greater weight distribution and, should they ever crack or become stained, are so much easier to replace, with minimum cost to you.

Landscape Melbourne

Ultimately, to balance a quality product and service at a competitive price, your best option is to obtain a high standard of design by hiring a contractor. A side benefit of using a paving professional such as Landscape Melbourne, is that they will usually get a trade discount on the pavers which they pass on to you. This allows you to get a high quality finish with the expertise to know that the job is down well - a great scenario if you're too busy or don't feel confident in doing the job yourself.

Nic Tashkoff is Senior Landscape Designer and Landscaping Project Manager and Consultant at:

[http://www.landscapemelbourne.com]

Your Melbourne Landscaping Solution for all budgets.

If you'd like to learn more about paving designs, paving types, layout, or receive some assistance prior to commencing your paving project, please email Nic Tashkoff at [http://www.landscapemelbourne.com/contact.html]. The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Landscape Melbourne will be happy to assist you with advice or a free quote.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nic_S_Tashkoff/580500

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Let's Go Walking! Lesson 5: Parking Lot Safety

This video reviews the following key concepts:

-Be Extra Careful in Parking Lots

-Getting Out of the Car

-Walking Across the Parking Lot

-Walk Close to Adults

-Be Aware

-Look and Listen for Moving Cars

-Freeze if Car Backs Out

-Set a Good Example

-Tell Driver when Buckled

Parking Lot Striping and Maintenance Increases Customer Safety

In business, it is important to always put your best foot forward, and that step can start with fresh parking lot striping. Fresh paint provides a good first impression for arriving customers. Faded and cracked lines, potholes, and crumbling chocks are not only an eyesore, but can also be a safety hazard as well. To ensure customers can park their cars with ease and navigate the car park without any confusion, regular maintenance is crucial.

Clear parking lot striping will not only help visitors navigate easily, but well-planned spacing can also help maximize a small area, squeezing in extra spots for cars so that you don't unintentionally lose business. Most car parks are also required by local regulations to meet certain codes which include a specific number of designated handicap spaces for disabled individuals (how many will depend on the location and size of the area). These will require an extra wide border to be clearly marked, allowing for room to remove wheelchairs or other necessary mobility devices. Codes may also require specific stenciling and marked fire lanes.

If the area is jointly operated by several businesses, it can be helpful to designate specific spots directly in front of doors exclusively to one shop. This is particularly useful for quick-stop stores located next to businesses with longer transactions such as restaurants or movie theaters. Keeping a few spaces free and marked for fifteen minutes or less is another way to keep traffic flowing, turning away fewer customers during peak periods. Spaces can be stencil-painted and bordered in a different color to distinguish it from others.

Proper parking lot striping is also a valuable safety tool that can help you cut back on collisions, slip and falls, or other potential hazards. In addition to keeping the paint fresh and direction arrows clear to improve traffic flow, consider re-paving the entire car park if it is extremely damaged. Large holes and cracks can not only damage vehicles, but people can fall and hurt themselves. And if it happened on your property, you may have a lawsuit on your hands. Smashed chocks are another common problem that is often overlooked. Chocks are the bumpers located between spaces or in front of sidewalks to prevent vehicles from moving too far. Over time, the constant stress from car bumps, or even just a single hard hit can result in them cracking and shifting. The rubble left behind can be dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists.

Parking lot striping professionals generally offer several other benefits in addition to their painting skills. Included in their services are often a cleaning of the area using power washing to lift and blast away long-standing grime, a basic warranty covering unexpected fading or stains for the first few months or longer, and help re-planning the area if needed. Most paints are fast-drying, so you won't have to worry about closing off the area for long. Always choose a company that is licensed, experienced, and fully insured so that you will receive quality work that you can depend on. For information about their services, go to www.articlesrx.com [http://www.articlesrx.com].

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andrew_Stratton/83489

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New Asphalt Repairs Its Own Cracks

They're a common sight on many roads and the bane of motorists' lives, but potholes could soon be a thing of the past thanks to nano-technology.

Researchers in Switzerland have patented a method that repairs stress-induced cracks in asphalt to prevent potholes forming in the first place and could double the life span of roads embedded with the technology.

A precise amount of iron oxide nanoparticles are mixed with bitumen - the sticky, viscous black binder obtained from crude oil and used to keep road material together.

Ever-so slightly heating up this asphalt using a small magnetic field melts the bitumen, allowing it to seep into the minute cracks to 'self-heal'.

World Amazing Modern Road Construction Machines, Incredible Fastest Asphalt Paving Equipment Machine

Incredible Fastest Asphalt Paving Equipment Machines - World Amazing Modern Road Construction Machine

Where does all that asphalt go when it is no longer needed?

It’s estimated that there are tens of millions of miles of paved roads on Earth. But where does all that asphalt go when it is no longer needed?

Find out more information at https://bit.ly/3kZQoWc

Allow Vaca Vet Striping to Make Your Business ADA Compliant

www.VacaVetStriping.com

Allow Vaca Vet Striping to make your business ADA (Americans with Disabilities Assoc.) compliant. 

We understand the importance of quality asphalt maintenance and the importance of leaving a lasting impression to prospective tenants, home buyers, customers and the general public.

V.V.S. strives to provide quality work and great service at an affordable cost. We provide services in Solano, Napa, Yolo and Sacramento counties. Our services include city, county, and state roads, highways, airports, commercial parking lots, driveways and racetracks.

What's In Asphalt?

A brief introduction to the "recipe" for asphalt pavement.

How to Extend a Driveway with Asphalt | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner add an extra parking spot to keep their vehicles off of a very busy street. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Adding a parking spot to a driveway can increase the driveway’s usefulness, keep the vehicle safe and away from busy streets, and even provide an extra spot for repairs. And while it’s not exactly a DIY project, it’s helpful to understand the steps on how extending a driveway with asphalt is done. You Might Need Permission In many municipalities, the sidewalk and even some of the yard may belong to the town. Adding a parking space that may affect the town’s property will require permission. On top of that, the town may require a permit. While neither item is usually a big deal, homeowners should do their due diligence and check with the town first. Hire an Asphalt Contractor Asphalt requires special equipment, techniques, and knowledge, so it’s best to hire a contractor. Knowing how to slope the 300-degree asphalt before it hardens is critical, else there can be low spots that collect water or rain may run off in the wrong direction. Mark the Utilities Installing an asphalt driveway requires some excavation, and contractors need a general idea of where the utilities lie. For this reason, asphalt companies will call utility marking agencies to come out and mark the yard wherever the gas, sewer, water, or underground electricity travel under the yard. Where to find it? Mark recruits the help of a local asphalt contractor to install a parking spot for a homeowner on a busy street. Contact utility locating services in preparation for any project that requires digging. Once water, gas, and sewer lines that run underground are identified and marked, it’s safe to proceed on to digging. To prep the space the crew will dig down about 15” to get below the frost line and use a specialty compactor, called a drum vibratory roller, to compact the soil to establish a solid base. Add a layer of crushed added for proper drainage. Pour the asphalt base and surface layers, compacting between each layer. Visit the Better Business Bureau [https://www.bbb.org/] website to find reputable asphalt companies near you. The asphalt is sealed with a product manufactured by Pioneer Sealcoat, LLC. [https://www.pioneersealcoat.com/] Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/st...

Asphalt Paving Machines and How They Changed Our World

How It's Made: Asphalt Pavers