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Archive for the ‘Asphalt and the Environment’ Category
Thursday, December 12th, 2013
With this past snow storm, you have undoubtedly noticed all of the salt on the roads. You know it is there to help melt the ice, providing better traction, but how does it work? How does salt affect the road? And if it is so powerful, how will salt affect my car?
How does Salt affect the Road?
The salt you see on the road is, at least in terms of its chemical composition, almost the exact same stuff you’d find on your dinner table. Both are primarily composed of sodium chloride. Table salt, however, also contains some iodine. Tock salt, the salt found on roads, is also not as refined as table salt.
So how does salt affect the roads?
Salt and snow do not mix. Salt lowers water’s freezing point, causing any ice already formed to melt. This is true even when the temperature is still below freezing. The melted ice, meanwhile, forms a brine solution which flows under the ice, breaking the bond between the two.However, salting the roads does have one drawback. If salt has such a profound effect on the road, just imagine what it will do to your car.
How does Salt affect my Car?
Unless you take the proper precautions, salt can wreak havoc on your car, causing major body and undercarriage damage.
- Wash your car in the fall and apply a coat of wax and wax sealant. This will help shield your car from the salt.
- Seal the undercarriage. You can buy a product to do this, or you can have it done professionally.
- Take your car to the carwash often, especially after it snows. It is important to wash salt off as soon as possible. Be sure to have your car re-waxed and sealed, as well.
If you have any questions about How Salt Affects The Roads or if you are looking for an asphalt contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Tags: How does Salt affect my Car, How does Salt affect the Road
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Friday, August 23rd, 2013
What many people do not know is that asphalt is America’s most recycled product. We kid you not. Believe it or not, asphalt is a “100% recyclable material,” says Dr. Zhanping You, P.E., Ph.D., professor of transportation engineering and materials at Michigan Technological University. In fact, asphalt pavement is now being recycled and reused at a rate over 99%.
“Every year, approximately 73 million tons of [Recycled Asphalt Pavement] RAP [is] reused, or nearly twice as much as the combined total of 40 million tons of recycled paper, glass, aluminum and plastics,” said Mike Acott, former president of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).
Over the years, the use of RAP has steadily increased. Today, 96% of asphalt contractors and asphalt companies use RAP, according to the NAPA report titled, Asphalt Pavement Mix Production Survey: 2009-2010 (NAPA Information Series 138). To view/download the full report Asphalt Pavement Mix Production Survey: 2009-2010, click here.
Aside from being America’s most recycled product, asphalt has several other eco-friendly benefits, including:
- Asphalt and the processes used to produce asphalt are green and require about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct than other pavements.
- Once constructed, asphalt pavements have minimal impact on the environment. They do not leach petroleum into the earth.
- Asphalt has a small carbon footprint.
- Asphalt, with its smooth driving surface, helps save fuel.
For these reasons and more, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) encourages the use of recycled asphalt in the construction of roadways to help reduce waste, preserve the environment, and also reduce construction costs. The use of recycled asphalt is a cost effective solution for state, commercial, and residential projects.
PTG Enterprises, your Baltimore Asphalt Contractor
Since 2001, PTG Enterprises, a full service commercial asphalt contractor in Baltimore, Maryland, has set the standard for quality asphalt work in the area, paving thousands of miles of asphalt parking lots.
If you have any questions about Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: America’s most Recycled Product, RAP, Reclaimed asphalt pavement
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Friday, March 8th, 2013
As your asphalt pavement ages, it will develop small cracks. This is just an inevitability. Even the best pavement begins to break down at some point, typically around 3-5 years after paving. If you ignore these early cracks, your asphalt could fail prematurely, especially when water is allowed to penetrate these cracks during the winter months.
The Freeze Thaw Effect on Pavement
When water penetrates asphalt cracks in the winter, it freezes, expands, and widens these asphalt cracks. This happens numerous times over the course of a winter, worsening asphalt cracks each and every time and degrading your asphalt surface from the inside out. The Result: Premature pavement failure.
Guess what? Maryland’s constantly changing weather makes things even worse!
“Any time you have weather where it is 60 degrees one day and 20 degrees the next, you’re going to have a significant impact on the pavement,” said Rob Morosi, Michigan Department of Transportation spokesman.
Cracks are just the beginning. Rapid freeze-thaw can even lead to potholes.
“Soil conditions will react differently, but essentially what happens is the top layer thaws while the soil stays frozen deeper down,” said Kirk Weston, managing director of the St. Clair County Road Commission. “You end up with moisture trapped between the frozen soil and the asphalt and as that drains, it makes the base unstable and you get potholes.”
Battling Back against the Freeze Thaw Effect
So how do you prevent the freeze-thaw effect from affecting your asphalt pavement? Crack filling! According to the Federal Highway Administration Manual of Practice (FWHA Report Number FHWS-RD-99-147), “Crack sealing and filling are imperative preventative maintenance tools.”
Crack Filling from your Baltimore Asphalt Contractor
Asphalt may seem tough and durable, but add up the effects of traffic and the elements, and you’ll see how quickly commercial asphalt can wear down. This is why you need to contact your local, Baltimore asphalt contractor at the first sign of cracking. This is why you need PTG Enterprises. We have been in the asphalt paving business for more than a decade and our crews are the best available. We know how to perform the job the right way, using only the best materials and equipment available.
So why would you call anyone else?
If you have any further questions about the Freeze Thaw Effect on Pavement, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
- How well does the pavement perform in freeze and thaw conditions?
- Freeze-thaw cycle is recipe for road potholes
Tags: Baltimore Asphalt Contractor, Crack filling, Freeze Thaw Effect
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Thursday, November 29th, 2012
Asphalt pavement is both durable and resilient. And it has to be. Asphalt pavement takes a beating on a daily basis. Between regular traffic and Mother Nature, your pavement needs to be strong. However, over time, even the toughest asphalt will start to deteriorate.
What Causes Asphalt Pavement Deterioration?
There are actually a few likely causes of pavement deterioration, including:
- Natural Wear and Tear: Over time, the materials that make up asphalt begin to deteriorate. The liquid asphalt binder, the glue that holds the pavement together, begins to lose its natural elasticity and starts to break down. During this process, the asphalt also loses its natural resistance to water, making the pavement even more susceptible to rain, snow, freezing and thawing, and more. Once this happens, cracking and other forms of deterioration are not far behind.
- Failures in Construction: Improperly installed asphalt can be a large reason for the deterioration of your pavement. Failures in construction can include: improperly compacted base, over or under compaction of the asphalt, improper temperature during application, poor drainage, and so much more.
Types of Asphalt Deterioration
- 1. Cracking: Cracking comes in many different forms, from alligatoring and edge cracks to slippage, reflection, and more.
- 2. Disintegration: This type of deterioration includes potholes, raveling, and the like.
- 3. Distortion: The result of improper pavement construction and the deterioration of the underlying base, distortion includes channels or ruts, corrugations and shoving, grade depressions, upheaval, and utility cut depressions.
When asphalt is installed properly and well maintained, it can last for 25 years or more! So trust your asphalt to a contractor with a proven track record of success, a contractor like Patrick Gillen of PTG Enterprises.
PTG Enterprises: Your Baltimore Asphalt Contractor
The asphalt experts at PTG Enterprises have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
When you hire PTG, you can be rest assured that you will receive the best customer service in the industry. PTG provides prompt proposals, competitive bids, and top notch management to every aspect of the project from beginning to end. We will show up as scheduled, perform the project as contracted, and leave you with a smile on your face!
If you have any further questions, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Asphalt Deterioration, asphalt experts, Asphalt Pavement, Baltimore Asphalt Contractor, DC, maryland, pavement deterioration, pavement projects, PTG Enterprises, Virginia
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, Asphalt Driveway Repair, Asphalt Maintenance, Commercial Paving Services, Crack Sealing, General Asphalt Advice, Maintenance Tips, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News | Comments Off on What Causes Asphalt Pavement Deterioration?
Friday, November 2nd, 2012
Hurricane Sandy brought with her high winds, torrential downpours, flooding, and devastation. As a result, countless roadways, parking lots, sidewalks, and more were damaged up and down the east coast.
Was your business one of the unfortunate victims of Hurricane Sandy? If so, it is important to act quickly. For starters, you do not want to inconvenience your customers or employees. Secondly, delaying repairs could allow cracks, potholes, and more to worsen, making repairs harder and ultimately more expensive. Luckily, PTG Enterprises is here to help!
Our services include:
- Asphalt Paving and Repair: The asphalt experts at PTG are able to patch small asphalt issues or complete entire parking lot renovations!
- Concrete Paving and Repair: Regardless of the size or scope of the concrete project, PTG can make it happen! PTG has the experience and the knowledge to analyze and diagnose any problem and offer the correct fix at a reasonable price.
- And Much More!
The PTG Experience
When you hire PTG, you can be rest assured that you will receive the best customer service in the industry. PTG provides prompt proposals, competitive bids, and top notch management to every aspect of the project from beginning to end. We will show up as scheduled, perform the project as contracted, and leave you with a smile on your face!
If you have any further questions, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Asphalt Paving and Repair, Concrete and Asphalt Repair in Baltimore, Concrete Paving and Repair, Hurricane Sandy
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, Asphalt Driveway Repair, Asphalt Maintenance, Commercial Paving Services, Crack Sealing, General Asphalt Advice, Maintenance Tips, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Maryland Concrete Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News | Comments Off on Hurricane Sandy and Concrete and Asphalt Repair in Baltimore, Maryland
Friday, October 19th, 2012
Throughout the United States, municipalities are passing ordinances to dictate the use of permeable pavement in new construction projects. This is because permeable paving is incredibly beneficial, especially in terms of sustainability.
Benefits of Permeable Pavement
- Storm Water Runoff: Permeable paving eliminates pollutants and contaminants from water drain off. Unlike other pavements, permeable systems filter rainwater back into the soil, instead of carrying pollutants through storm drains to a nearby stream or river.
- Erosion: Permeable paving also lessens stream erosion by filtering water into the soil instead of nearby streams and rivers. This lessens water to overflow stream banks.
- Reduce Irrigation Demands: Because it filters water into the soil, permeable pavement lessens manmade irrigation demands.
- Falling Water Tables: With so many impermeable surfaces, permeable pavement helps recharge falling water tables and relieve flooding in flood prone areas.
- Heat Island Effect: By allowing water to filtrate into the ground, the surface and surrounding area temperatures will be cooler than a hard impervious surface.
- Repairs: Permeable pavement is less costly to repair.
- Aesthetics: Grey concrete can be boring. Permeable paving, meanwhile, comes in a wide variety of styles. From stone or concrete pavers to pervious concrete and more.
PTG Enterprises: Permeable Paving in MarylandWhen we arrive, we’ll prepare the site and get to work. Each phase of the project will be executed with an attention to detail that other paving contractors don’t possess. We’ll establish timetables and plans that ensure the job gets done quickly, without negatively impacting you. And when we complete the project, we’ll make sure to clean up, as well.
For more information, or to schedule a site visit, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today!
When you hire PTG, you’ll work with owner Patrick Gillen from start to finish. This process begins with an initial site visit, a pre-construction meeting and setting expectations for the client and crew. Communication is our watchword, and you’ll receive regular reports on your project.
Check PTG Enterprises out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Benefits of Permeable Pavement, environmentally friendly, Heat Island Effect, Irrigation Demands, My Pavement Guy, paving contractors, Permeable Pavement, Permeable Paving, Permeable Paving in Maryland, PTG Enterprises, Storm Water Runoff, sustainable
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, Commercial Paving Services, Maryland Concrete Contractor, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News, Permeable Pavement, Porous Asphalt | Comments Off on Permeable Paving: Sustainable, Environmentally Friendly Pavement
Friday, October 12th, 2012
Asphalt is an excellent pavement choice for so many reasons. But did you know that asphalt is even a good choice for the environment? According to Dr. Howard Marks of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, “The APA’s newest publication scientifically documents the beneficial effects asphalt pavements can have on water quality.”
Asphalt: The Green Pavement
- Asphalt is one of the most recyclable products around.
- “For improved stormwater management, clean drinking water, and reduced roadside pollution, asphalt pavements are clean and environmentally beneficial,” added Marks.
- Asphalt’s smooth nature saves fuel. ““In fact, it has been documented that a road maintenance program that increases pavement smoothness only slightly could reduce annual vehicle fuel consumption by up to 10 percent on those roads,” said Marks.
- Asphalt pavement and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) DO NOT leach petroleum into the earth.
- Asphalt has a small carbon footprint. “When determining the carbon footprint of anything, it’s important to count everything, and to make sure you don’t count anything twice,” said Marks. “Both initial construction and a 50-year life-cycle were analyzed. In all cases, the carbon footprints of the asphalt pavements were found to be less than 30 percent of equivalent Portland cement concrete pavements.”
- And so much more!
From production to paving to rehabilitation to recycling, asphalt pavements minimize impact on the environment.
For more information, or to schedule a site visit, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today!
PTG Enterprises is a contracting, consulting and project management business dedicated to serving commercial clients throughout Maryland, DC, and Virginia with asphalt and concrete paving services. We have…
- Prepared thousands of Pavement Condition Inspections.
- Contracted and managed millions of dollars in work.
- Supervised and performed quality controls of other contractor’s work.
- Assisted with budgeting and estimating for future and upcoming pavement projects.
- Performed “special pavement projects” which entail specific tasks within certain timelines.
- And so much more!
Check PTG Enterprises out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
APA releases white paper on carbon footprint
Pavement smoothness and fuel economy
Cleaner Water With Asphalt! – APA releases new white paper
Tags: asphalt, asphalt contractor, Asphalt Pavement Alliance, asphalt pavements, Baltimore, carbon footprint, environmentally beneficial, Green Pavement, My Pavement Guy, PTG Enterprises, road maintenance, stormwater management
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Pavement News, The History of Asphalt Pavement | Comments Off on Asphalt: The Green Pavement Option :: Baltimore Asphalt Contractor
Friday, October 5th, 2012
The cold Maryland weather can really affect newly poured concrete. But this doesn’t mean that concrete cannot be placed, finished, and cured during the winter. It just means that you need to take extra special care when doing so.
Cold weather causes fresh and newly-hardened concrete to lose moisture and heat incredibly fast, which could negatively affect the concrete’s strength and life expectancy. To counteract this, your pavement contractor must observe proper design of mixes, proper mixing and transporting, proper placing, and proper finishing practices. If just one of these steps is neglected, the integrity iof the concrete could be in jeopardy. Because of this, it is important to rely on a concrete contractor you can trust, a contractor like PTG Enterprises!
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size, scope, or weather conditions.
Cold Weather Concrete Tips
- Have the proper equipment and manpower needed to get the job done right.
- Plan for bad weather and ensure the working environment and concrete maintains proper temperatures.
- Low slump concrete can be a great alternative for cold weather flatwork.
- Consider using concrete mixes containing accelerated admixtures or Type III Hi-Early cement, which require shorter protection time from freezing.
- Utilize a heated mix or order 100 lbs of extra cement for each cubic yard of concrete to help develop early strength.
- Trust PTG Enterprises!
The asphalt experts at PTG have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need. PTG Enterprises performs concrete work for:
For more information, or to schedule a site visit, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today!
When you hire PTG, you’ll work with owner Patrick Gillen from start to finish. This process begins with an initial site visit, a pre-construction meeting and setting expectations for the client and crew. Communication is our watchword, and you’ll receive regular reports on your project.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: accelerated admixtures, Baltimore, Concrete Tips, DC, Low slump concrete, maryland, Pavement Contractor, pavement projects, PTG Enterprises, Type III Hi-Early cement, Virginia, Winter Weather
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, Commercial Paving Services, Maryland Concrete Contractor | Comments Off on Concrete Tips for Harsh Winter Weather :: Baltimore Pavement Contractor
Friday, September 14th, 2012
Asphalt is used everywhere, from roads and parking lots to runways and more. And why not? Asphalt boasts several benefits, including:
- Asphalt has excellent waterproofing properties.
- Asphalt has excellent binding (or cementing) properties to hold the aggregates in the pavement.
- Asphalt pavement has a long life & resurfacing is quick.
- Asphalt is America’s most recycled material.
- Asphalt is the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly pavement on the market.
- And more!
Still, asphalt has a few major deficiencies as well. Asphalt has very poor resistance to weathering and is easily attacked by chemicals, gasoline, oils, and deicing salts. All of these elements work together to break down the asphalt, degrading the asphaltic oils from the surface as chemicals dissolve them away. And with the loss of asphalt cement, the aggregates in the top layer begin unraveling and develop the first sign of pavement deterioration; the appearance of minor surface cracks.
Over time, cracking will become more prevalent. And if not repaired, these cracks will allow water to penetrate sub-base and base layers, causing them to lose their ability to effectively bear traffic loads. Eventually, this will cause the asphalt pavement to fail.
To prevent further erosion of your asphalt pavement, or to fix a problem so it does not get any worse before winter, call PTG Enterprises for a property evaluation. You can expect a fair proposal, professionalism and quality work. A good contractor is hard to find!
Discover the difference with PTG Enterprises!
If you have any further questions, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Asphalt cement, Asphalt Pavement, Cracking, DC, environmentally-friendly pavement, maryland, My Pavement Guy, pavement deterioration, Resurfacing, surface cracks, sustainable, Virginia
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, Asphalt Driveway Repair, Asphalt Maintenance, Crack Sealing, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Maryland Sealcoating Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News, Recycled Asphalt | Comments Off on Asphalt Pavement Deterioration: Maryland DC, & Virginia Asphalt Contractor
Friday, August 24th, 2012
As Americans become increasingly concerned with the concept of Going Green, environmentally sustainable pavements are also rising in popularity. Fortunately, the asphalt pavement industry has been working for decades on making its pavement greener.
- Asphalt is America’s most recycled material.
- Asphalt is the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly pavement on the market.
- While production of asphalt pavement material increased by 250% between 1960 and 1999, total emissions decreased by 97%.
- Warm mix asphalt reduces the demand for energy in the production and construction of pavements.
- Asphalt is a low carbon footprint pavement.
- Asphalt pavement has a long life & resurfacing is quick.
- Porous pavement helps improve stormwater management.
From production to paving to rehabilitation to recycling, asphalt pavements minimize impact on the environment.
If you have any further questions about Asphalt Pavement or if you have a project that you need completed, then contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Asphalt Pavement, carbon footprint, emissions, environmentally sustainable pavements, environmentally-friendly pavement, Going Green, maryland, My Pavement Guy, Porous pavement, stormwater management, Sustainability, Warm-mix asphalt
Posted in Asphalt and the Environment, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Pavement News, Porous Asphalt, Recycled Asphalt, The History of Asphalt Pavement, Warm-Mix Asphalt | Comments Off on Black is the New Green :: Asphalt Pavement and Sustainability
