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The Effects of De-Icing Chemicals on Asphalt and Concrete

January 16th, 2015

De-Icing Chemicals for Asphalt and ConcreteYou see salt boxes on many street corners in snowy weather, but using chemicals on concrete is actually damaging to asphalt and concrete. Protect your storefront or businesses curb appeal by not using the following De-Icing Chemicals to melt snow or ice in the winter.

  • Sodium chloride or rock salt (NaCL)
  • NaCL with MgCl2 and OBPE
  • NaCL with Magic-O – a proprietaryblend of OBPE and 30% MgCl2

Why not? Using these types of de-icing chemicals (among others not listed) can cause cracking in your pavement and chemically alter the aggregate that you paid for to put in. “No de-icing chemicals are safe,” explains Patrick Gillen III, owner of PTG Enterprises.

Highways across the United States contain about fifteen million tons of road salt each winter. While this provides traction on the road for our cars and pathways to walk, it puts more strain on economic factors.  Even road salt that seems innocuous can be destructive to plant life underneath. Forget bringing your pets around the block to do their duty. Chemicals on the ground can hurt animals as well. Think again about accepting your dog’s warm, wet puppy kisses after a walk if he licked anything. You could get sick from ingesting these chemicals as well.

We agree that de-icing is necessary in some areas, so business can continue as usual. There are alternatives to melting snow besides chemicals. For example, Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), sand, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium chloride, and beet solution are eco-friendly ways to reduce the amount of ice on the concrete.

Using sand or the other materials mentioned above is more cost-effective and safer for the environment. You will still be able to clear the lot for driving customers and make it safer for all living beings involved. To find out how else you can protect your pavement this winter season, contact PTG Enterprises.

PTG Enterprises is a commercial concrete contractor in the Baltimore area. Our crews are extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving, so you know the job will look professional and last for years to come. Give us a call and let us help protect your pavement from Mother Nature.

If you have any questions about de-icing chemicals, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Dealing with Concrete Cracking

January 2nd, 2015

Dealing with Concrete CrackingAnother new year means your concrete surfaces are another year older. And if your concrete sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and roadways are starting to show their age, it is important to act fast. As the old saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine. Well, in this instance, dealing with concrete cracks early saves your concrete from premature failure.

Dealing with Concrete Cracking

All good things must come to an end. Nothing lasts forever, but if paved correctly and properly maintained, your concrete sidewalks could last 20 to 40 years. But the key phrase here is “properly maintained.” This means dealing with concrete cracking as it happens. Addressing small cracks when they happen is much easier and much more cost-effective than trying to fix larger cracks, which result from neglect. This is especially the case in winter.

When water penetrates concrete cracks in the winter, the water freezes, expands, and widens these cracks. This happens numerous times over the course of a winter, worsening cracks each and every time and degrading your asphalt surface from the inside out.

“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.

This is why concrete cracking needs to be dealt with as it happens.

“Crack sealing and filling are imperative preventative maintenance tools,” sates the Federal Highway Administration Manual of Practice (FWHA Report Number FHWS-RD-99-147). Crack filling helps reduce pavement degradation by restricting water penetration into the underlying bas and sub-base.

Crack Filling and Sealing from PTG Enterprises

Cracking is inevitable. All concrete cracks eventually. How severe that cracking becomes is up to you. When your concrete pavement begins to show signs of wear and tear, you need the help of an expert. You need PTG Enterprises. We are experts when it comes to commercial concrete jobs. Our crews are extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving, so you know the job will look professional and last for years to come.

If you have any questions about Dealing with Concrete Cracking, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Planning 2015 Pavement Projects

December 23rd, 2014

2015 Pavement ProjectsAs 2014 comes to an end, many of us will look back at our accomplishments, at what was. But property managers do not have that luxury. They must continue to look to the future, forecasting potential problems and taking preventive measures to avoid expensive repairs. And you know what that means, right? Planning and budgeting (reserve study).

The annual budgeting process looks something like this:

  1. Interview site staff to obtain their input.
  2. Review the operating expenses from the past year to help predict future expenses.
  3. Verify annual contract amounts.
  4. Complete an annual site plan.
  5. Complete an annual staffing plan.
  6. Draft your budget.

But before you can really draft your budget for 2015, you must first analyze your pavement needs.

Planning 2015 Pavement Projects

This is the time when property managers should prioritize pavement projects for the coming year and allocate the appropriate funds to cover these projects. But what projects require your immediate attention and which can be pushed back another year? Do the sidewalks need to be repaved? Does the parking lot need to be re-striped or re-sealed? Do your retaining walls require your attention or will they retain their integrity for another year? The only way to know for sure is to employ the help of a professional pavement contractor, like PTG Enterprises.

PTG Enterprises has been in the asphalt paving, concrete, and masonry business for more than a decade and stands out as an industry leader due to our methodology of pavement management planning: a systematic, long-term approach to managing and extending the life of your pavement. As a member of the Community Association Institute (CAI), National Facilities Management and Technology (NFMT), and Maryland Multi-Housing Association (MMHA) we are well-positioned to help you make the right financial decisions for your property or community association. We will work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy to extend and maximize the lifespan of your asphalt and concrete surfaces.

If you have any questions about Planning 2015 Pavement Projects, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Happy Holidays from PTG Enterprises

December 19th, 2014

Happy Holidays from PTG EnterprisesIt’s beginning to look a lot like…whatever holiday you celebrate. So, Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Joyous Kwanzaa! It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But if you aren’t quite feeling the holiday spirit, here are a few tips to help you recapture your youthful exuberance. After all, Santa Claus is coming to town!

Tips to Ensure You Have a Holly Jolly Christmas…Hanukah…or Kwanzaa!

If you are finding it hard to enjoy the holidays amidst work, school, the kids, and all of your other duties and responsibilities, you are not alone. Countless individuals have trouble finding the joy in mile-long checkout lines and crowded mall parking lots. ‘Tis the season to search for a parking spot for 30 minutes.

So how do you stay jolly? Just follow these simple tips!

This is the Real World, Not a Hallmark Card

We all have an image of the “ideal” holiday season. Well, forget it. We do not live in a fairytale world. There are no singing and dancing snowmen here…at least no real singing and dancing snowmen.

Too many people have an idealized version of that the holidays should be, instead of what they really are. By setting realistic expectations about the holidays, you will more easily be able to find the joy in the season.

Focus on Family

The holiday season nowadays is filled with materialism. Maybe it’s time to re-focus your energy on family-oriented activities. After all, the holidays are about who you are with, not what they give you.

Try Volunteering

Take time out of your busy schedule to give back to the community and help the less fortunate. Perhaps you can volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen. Maybe you can adopt a family and supply them with food, gifts, and clothing for the holiday. Or maybe you want to organize a canned food drive at your office.

There are several ways to give back this holiday season. You just have to find the philanthropic endeavor that brings you the most joy.

Reduce Stress

A lot of times, it is stress that has people dreading the holidays. Fortunately, this is very avoidable with a little planning. Don’t wait until the last minute to send out Christmas cards. Don’t wait until the last minute to shop for presents. Plan ahead and save yourself a headache or two this holiday season.

Happy Holidays from PTG Enterprises!

If you have any questions about Pavement Maintenance, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Patching Your Asphalt this Winter

December 12th, 2014

asphalt patchingThe winter months can be tough on your asphalt. Last week we talked about winterizing your asphalt to prepare for the tough Baltimore winter ahead. Today we’ll walk you through why you want to winterize your pavement and what repairs could be necessary if you haven’t taken the necessary precautions (or if this winter turns out to be particularly snowy).

Why Is Winter So Hard on Asphalt?

The freeze thaw cycle can cause cracks and even holes in your asphalt. What may start off as a small crack can expand significantly throughout the winter months. Snow or rain in a small crack can freeze, causing the asphalt to expand, and the crack to widen. Couple this cycle with cars driving over weakened asphalt or salt making its way into the cracks and you get a recipe for potholes! Some things can be left until spring to patch, but many times it’s best to go ahead with a cold patch to avoid wear and tear to vehicles.

What Are My Options for the Winter Months?

  • Preventive Measures – First thing first, it’s always important to take steps to prevent cracking and wear in the first place. Making sure that your asphalt is regularly seal coated can help prevent cracking and potholes in the winter months. You may have heard the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” before. While it may be an old cliché, it is still relevant today.
  • Asphalt Patching – Cold weather patching used to be complicated and cumbersome, but it has gotten easier over the years. If you already have sizable cracks or holes, you should consider asphalt patching. Cold patches aren’t as strong as warm mix or hot mix asphalt, but they’ll help protect the rest of your asphalt until the weather warms up and we can provide a more permanent solution.
  • Crack Fill – This one goes along with prevention. There’s no point in letting cracks get any bigger. While there are still a couple of warm days left, we advise that you have any cracks filled. It’ll stop the freeze thaw process in its tracks and mean less work for you during the spring and summer months.

Call PTG Enterprises For Your Winter Patching Needs

PTG Enterprises has been in the asphalt paving, concrete, and masonry business for more than a decade. We have seen it all before and we know the telltale warning signs of asphalt and pavement failure. And as a member of the Community Association Institute (CAI), National Facilities Management and Technology (NFMT), and Maryland Multi-Housing Association (MMHA) we are well-positioned to help you make the right financial decisions for your property or community association.

PTG stands out as an industry leader due to our methodology of pavement management planning: a systematic, long-term approach to managing and extending the life of your pavement. We will work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy to extend and maximize the lifespan of your asphalt and concrete surfaces.

If you have any questions about winter patching or crack fill, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: Fix Asphalt

 

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Is Your Pavement Ready for Another Harsh Baltimore Winter?

December 5th, 2014

Baltimore-Winter-PavementThe Farmer’s Almanac and climate experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting ANOTHER harsh, snowy winter for all of us here in Baltimore, Maryland. In fact, WMAR-TV meteorologist Mike Masco is predicting a winter “just as rough if not worse” than last years, with 28 to 35 inches of snowfall in Baltimore City, and as much as 50 inches in northern and western counties. The snowiest periods will be in mid- and late December, mid-January, and early to mid-February, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

So what does all of this mean? You have very little time to prepare your pavement for winter.

Is Your Pavement Ready for Another Harsh Baltimore Winter?

As your asphalt pavement ages, it will develop small cracks. Even the best pavement begins to break down at some point, typically around 3-5 years after paving. If you ignore these cracks, your pavement could be at risk for freeze-thaw damage this winter. When water penetrates these cracks, it freezes, expands, and widens the cracks. This happens numerous times over the course of a winter, worsening pavement damage each time.

“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.

How PTG Can Help with Winterization of Your Pavement

PTG Enterprises has been in the asphalt paving, concrete, and masonry business for more than a decade. We have seen it all before and we know the telltale warning signs of asphalt and pavement failure. We also know how to prevent further damage: Crack Filling.

Crack filling is just that – filling in the cracks in the pavement. It can have a huge impact on the condition of your parking lot during and after the winter months. You should crack fill now so that you don’t have to repair a pothole later.

If you have any questions about Pavement Maintenance, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Why Sand Makes More Sense than De-Icing with Salt

November 26th, 2014

De-Icing with SaltIt’s only November, and we’ve already experienced snowfall and record low temperatures in Maryland. With that said, we could predict a harsh, snowy winter this year. To prepare for a snowstorm, we tend to gather the essentials: milk, toilet paper, bread, and road salt. When our driveways and roads are shoveled and plowed, usually salt is put down to help melt the icy patches. However, have you ever considered using sand instead of de-icing with salt? Though salt has been known to save lives and prevent traffic crashes, it has its dangers.

Road salt can thoroughly damage sidewalks and cause the cement to crack, making the area a hazard even after the ice is melted. In addition, salt poses a huge environmental risk to wildlife as well as humans. Because road salt is unrefined, unlike table salt, it contains minerals and chemicals that assist with the de-icing process. When the salt and chemicals eventually runoff into streams and lakes, it creates an unbalanced salt ratio and decreases oxygen levels. This, in turn, has harmful effects on wild animals and plants living in the surrounding areas.

Salt can also be damaging to you as well as your pets. Excessive salt can enter our source for drinking water. In some cases, city water supplies have had to be shut down because of the amount of salt present. Drinking the water contaminated with these harmful chemicals can have very negative effects on your health. In addition to your health, salt can also affect the health of your pets. The large pieces of rock salt could become wedged between paws, or harm their digestion systems if accidentally consumed.

To avoid these problems, consider using sand instead of salt. While sand doesn’t exactly melt the ice, it still provides traction for drivers, walkers, and pets. Take a look at some of the other benefits of using sand instead of salt:

  • It’s a cheaper alternative to salt, which means it can be used more frequently and in more locations
  • It contains no harmful added chemicals
  • It’s composed of smaller grains, which will making walking easier for pets

The only real downfall of sand is that it doesn’t disintegrate, and can buildup on roads and in streams. However, with no harsh chemicals, sand doesn’t pose a huge risk for humans or the environment.

Before you pick up a bag of road salt to prepare for the winter storm, pick up two bags of sand instead. With cheaper materials, you’ll be able to get more for your money, and make your walkway safer for yourself and your family. To find out how else you can protect your pavement this winter season, contact PTG Enterprises.

PTG Enterprises is a commercial concrete contractor in the Baltimore area. Our crews are extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving, so you know the job will look professional and last for years to come. Give us a call and let us help protect your pavement from Mother Nature.

If you have any questions about de-icing with sand, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Finding an Asphalt Contractor Who Puts Safety First

November 21st, 2014

Asphalt Contractor Safety FirstWhen it comes to the condition of your asphalt and/or concrete surfaces, safety matters. Otherwise, you could be held liable for injuries sustained on your property as a result of improper maintenance.

“All Maryland businesses, corporations, employers and business owners have a legal obligation and responsibility to properly maintain all areas of their property,” explains one Baltimore, Maryland lawyer. “This includes parking lots, driveways and sidewalks.

But safety should be a primary concern way before trip and fall injuries are even possible. Safety should be one of the first things you consider during the hiring process. You need to find an asphalt contractor who puts safety first.

The Importance of an Asphalt Contractor Who Puts Safety First

Construction sites present immediate hazards to both workers and the nearby public. This is why safe work practices are so important and why you should only hire an asphalt contractor who puts safety first.

  1. Highway (Roadway) Safety: There are hazards that exist in every workplace. When that workplace is adjacent to speeding vehicles, those hazards are multiplied. Click Here to learn more.
  2. Equipment: The asphalt and concrete paving process require a lot of equipment, including heavy machinery and vehicles. This equipment should be regularly maintained and inspected for any issues.
  3. Materials: Contact with paving materials can result in burns and other injuries. Because of this, all employees should wear protective apparel – long-sleeved shirts, long pants, face and eye protection, and hard hats – when working. Additionally, high-visibility garments should be used, especially during roadside work.

PTG Enterprises: We Care About Safety

PTG Enterprises has been in the asphalt paving, concrete, and masonry business for more than a decade. Our crews are the best available, and they know how to perform their job the right way, the safe way. To minimize the number of job site accidents, PTG Enterprises has implemented strict safety procedures and all employees must participate in annual OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) safety training.

  1. PTG Enterprises has an extensive safety program and in-house safety committee, which ensures our company abides by OSHA regulations.
  2. All PTG Enterprises employees working in a construction zone must wear suitable personal protective apparel and equipment at all time.
  3. We conduct a pre-construction safety briefing as well as daily safety briefings to advise our crews of site-specific hazards and emergency procedures.
  4. PTG Enterprises ensures all equipment – including our vehicles – receives regular maintenance and inspections.
  5. Emergency response plans are in effect for all hazards to which our workers may be exposed.
  6. PTG Enterprises holds monthly meetings to discuss new safety regulations and any areas of concern, which keeps our employees up-to-date.
  7. And More!

It is the policy of PTG Enterprises that we will provide a safe work environment on every job site. This is our commitment to our customers, as well as our employees, contractors, sub-contractors, and their families.

If you have any questions about Finding an Asphalt Contractor Who Puts Safety First, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Reserve Study: Planning Pavement Rehabilitation

November 14th, 2014

Reserve Study - Pavement RehabilitationThe year is quickly coming to an end. Now comes the time when businesses, communities, and homeowners associations begin to plan for the new year. And you know what that means, right? Budgetting! Yay! It is every decision maker’s favorite time of year. If you can’t tell, there was a bit of sarcasm in that last sentence. No one likes budgeting. How do you prioritize? What deserves attention now and what can be put off for another year? As we have said before, it’s a juggling act. Except there is one major difference between budgeting and actual juggling. When you are juggling and something goes wrong you simply bend over and pick the ball up off the floor. When you improperly budget for something like pavement maintenance, you face expensive repairs, exposure, and even liability.

The solution: schedule a Reserve Study.

Reserve Study: Planning Pavement Rehabilitation

Your annual budget dictates and prioritizes your spending for the coming year. How will your money be used? Do the parking lots need to be resurfaced or can that wait another year or two? What about seal coating? Then comes the sidewalks. Do they need immediate attention? What about the retaining walls? Which projects demand your attention this year and which projects can wait?

The only way to make an educated decision is to have a professional inspect your pavement and provide recommendations. This is the point of a reserve study: an in-depth analysis of a property’s or HOA’s physical components and an analysis of its financial obligations to preserve those components. In layman’s terms, a reserve study is like a roadmap that allows decision makers to make more well-informed choices.

A reserve study is threefold:

  1. Physical Analysis: Your contractor will inspect your pavement and assess the condition of your parking lots and sidewalks, providing life and valuation estimates.
  2. Maintenance Suggestions: Your contractor will make maintenance and repair suggestions.
  3. Financial Analysis: Your contractor will help you understand the repair and replacement needs of your parking lots and sidewalks over the next five years, allowing you to more accurately budget for pavement maintenance and repairs.

Schedule a Reserve Study with PTG Enterprises

PTG Enterprises has been in the asphalt paving, concrete, and masonry business for more than a decade. We have seen it all before and we know the telltale warning signs of asphalt and pavement failure. And as a member of the Community Association Institute (CAI), National Facilities Management and Technology (NFMT), and Maryland Multi-Housing Association (MMHA) we are well-positioned to help you make the right financial decisions for your property or community association.

PTG stands out as an industry leader due to our methodology of pavement management planning: a systematic, long-term approach to managing and extending the life of your pavement. We will work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy to extend and maximize the lifespan of your asphalt and concrete surfaces.

If you have any questions about a Reserve Study or Planning Pavement Rehabilitation, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Learn More about the Asphalt Institute and American Concrete Institute

November 7th, 2014

Asphalt InstituteThere are two primary authorities in the asphalt and concrete industries: the Asphalt Institute and the American Concrete Institute, respectively.

Asphalt Institute

Founded in 1919, is the international trade association of petroleum asphalt producers, manufacturers and affiliated businesses. AI serves its members by providing the latest on health, safety, and environmental matters. One way the Institute accomplishes this is through its publications, such as Asphalt magazine, which reach more than 18,000 industry professionals.

Its mission is to “promote the use, benefits, and quality performance of petroleum asphalt, through environmental, marketing, research, engineering and technical development, and through the resolution of issues affecting the industry.”

Today, members account for 90% of the liquid asphalt produced in North America.

American Concrete Institute

Founded in 1904, the American Concrete Institute (ACI) is a nonprofit technical and educational society and one of the world’s leading authorities on concrete technology. ACI provides concrete contractors, like PTG Enterprises, a forum to discuss concrete technology, innovations, and best practices. ACI accomplishes this several ways, including conventions, meetings, and publications, such as the ACI Structural Journal, the ACI Materials Journal, and Concrete International.

PTG Enterprises: An Asphalt and Concrete Contractor in Maryland

PTG Enterprises has been in the asphalt paving, concrete, and masonry business for more than a decade. Our crews are the best available, and they know how to perform their job the right way, using only the best materials and equipment available. With the help of organizations like AI and ACI, we stay up to date on the latest technologies and industry best practices: all of this to provide you, the customer, with the best possible experience.

Our natural knack for logistics, combined with interpersonal skills and a desire to keep up with industry trends, result in excellent planning and execution of any project. We enjoy what we’re good at, and that’s the secret to our success.

If you have any questions about Asphalt or Concrete, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

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