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How to Mill & Pave a Parking Lot, Keeping Your Baltimore Business Beautiful

August 22nd, 2014

Mill and Pave BaltimoreAll good things must come to an end. Eventually even asphalt reaches the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced. There are two techniques for completing a re-construction project: Full Depth Replacement and Mill & Pave. PTG Enterprises performs both types of projects and can help you determine which makes the most sense for your Baltimore business.

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How to Mill & Pave a Parking Lot, Keeping Your Baltimore Business Beautiful

What is Mill & Pave?

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. Eventually, it will need to be re-paved. This is where Mill & Pave comes in.

Asphalt milling and paving is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to repair damaged parking lots and roads. Using a “milling” machine, your asphalt contractor will remove the deteriorated layer of asphalt down to a specific depth. The newly grinded surfaced is then layered with tack before being re-paved with a fresh new coat of asphalt. The millings are then hauled offsite where they can be recycled. Did we mention that asphalt is America’s most recycled and reused material? Click Here to learn more.

What Makes PTG Unique?

PTG Enterprises has paved thousands of miles of asphalt lots, and our crews work quickly and professionally. But that is not what makes us unique. Unlike those other asphalt contractors, we care about you and your business. In fact, when you hire PTG, you’ll work with owner Patrick Gillen from start to finish, from the initial site visit and pre-construction meeting to the final walk-through. With PTG each phase of the project will be executed with an attention to detail that other asphalt paving contractors don’t possess.

We have been in the paving business for more than a decade and have managed hundreds of pavement projects throughout Baltimore, Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia.

If you have any questions about Mill & Pave, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

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Reinforced Concrete: Rebar and Fiber Reinforcement

August 18th, 2014

Reinforced Concrete Rebar FiberRebar Concrete Reinforcement

In the 19th century, a French industrialist by the name of François Coignet invented a revolutionary new way to improve upon the relatively low tensile strength and ductility of concrete. By using iron reinforcements, Coignet was able to do things with concrete that otherwise would not have been possible, such as constructing multi-story buildings.

In 1877, Joseph Monier, a French gardener and one of the principal inventors of Reinforced Concrete, was granted a patent for an advanced technique of reinforcing concrete columns and girders with iron rods placed in a grid pattern. In 1879, a German civil engineer named G. A. Wayss bought the rights to Monier’s patent and in 1884 became the first person to commercial use reinforced concrete.

Today, reinforced concrete is a staple in the construction industry. These reinforcements – typically steel reinforcing bars (Rebar) or Fiber – are used to resist tensile stresses and prevent cracking or structural failure. Additional benefits include:

  1. Longer life of pavements
  2. Reduces rutting and cracking
  3. Reduced maintenance needs
  4. Improved strength and durability
  5. Cost-effective

Without reinforcement, constructing modern structures, such as buildings, walls, or roads, with the concrete material would not be possible.

Fiber Concrete Reinforcement

Fibers have been used in concrete reinforcement since ancient times. Long before the use of concrete, builders used straw to help reinforce their mud bricks. After that, horsehair was used in mortar for the same reason: reinforcement. Then, in the 1900s, asbestos fibers were used in concrete and asphalt to help stabilize the mixture. Asbestos fibers were found to increase tensile strength, compressive strength, stability, ability to sustain load after reaching maximum stability, and resistance to weathering. By the 1970s, asbestos was replaced with polyester and polypropylene fibers, as well as mineral fibers such as rock wool and slag wool. Then the 1980s brought about the use of synthetic fibers, a switch made due to high tensile strengths and durability of these new fibers.

PTG Enterprises, Your Baltimore Concrete Contractor

PTG Enterprises is a full service commercial pavement contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Over the years, we have paved thousands of miles of asphalt and concrete surface: roads, parking lots, etc. throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia.

Our crews are highly skilled and extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving. You can be rest assured that the end result will look professional and last for years to come.

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

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Preparing a Homeowners Association’s Annual Budget

August 8th, 2014

Homeowners-Association-Annual-BudgetManaging a commercial property or, in the instance of a homeowners association, an entire community is far from easy, especially when it comes time to work out the annual budget. Yikes! How do you prioritize spending especially repairs? What deserves attention now and what can be put off for another year? Property management is a juggling act, except when something goes wrong you are not picking a ball up off the floor. Instead, you face expensive repairs, exposure, and liability.

Preparing a Homeowners Association’s Annual Budget

Your annual budget will dictate and prioritize your spending for the upcoming year, establishing how income will be used to do things and perform necessary maintenance and repairs. Do the parking lots need to be resurfaced this year or can that wait another year? Do the sidewalks need immediate attention? What about the retaining walls? If you put off repairs, is there a chance they could fail? Which projects demand your attention this year and which projects can wait?

Budget preparation must be taken very seriously and prepared with a very detailed hand.

  1. Review financial statements to gain a better understand of the association’s financial state.
  2. Review all current contracts to ensure your association is getting what it has paid for.
  3. Contact utilities for estimated costs in the coming year.
  4. Could your homeowners association benefits from a reserve study? A reserve study is an in-depth analysis of a property’s or HOA’s physical components and an analysis of its financial obligations to preserve those components. Basically, a reserve Study is a roadmap that allows decision makers to make more well-informed choices. Click Here to learn more!

PTG can help Property Managers evaluate their 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. Let us help you better understand your maintenance needs so you can properly budget preventive maintenance and repairs.

If you have any questions about Preparing a Homeowners Association’s Annual Budget, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

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Concrete Road Construction in Maryland

August 1st, 2014

Do you know why most roads in Maryland are paved with asphalt over concrete? It’s not because asphalt is more durable. In fact, concrete is actually the more durable of the two pavements. So why asphalt? Like most things in life, it all comes down to price. Asphalt is a much cheaper option (Rising petroleum prices may change this soon). It is also easier to work with. Concrete road construction is a very labor-intensive task, even more so than asphalt road construction. Still, concrete has several benefits.

Benefits of Concrete Road Construction

  1. Concrete roads are incredibly durable and, because of this, have a long life expectancy (40+ years).
  2. Concrete roads tend to require fewer repairs. These roads are not easily damaged by leaking oils or extreme weather.
  3. Concrete roads are also more fuel efficient. In fact, when driving on a concrete road, consumes 15-20% less fuel than when it drives on an asphalt road. Wow!
  4. And More!

So if you are willing to pay a little extra, you will get a lot in return!

Concrete Road Construction

Concrete construction is a very in-depth process.

  1. Mix Design: First thing’s first: mix design. There are many variables to consider, such as cement type, aggregate size and type, amount of water, and mineral and chemical admixtures.  A bad mix design will always result in a poor road.
  2. Support: Unlike asphalt, concrete requires a support structure, typically rebar formed into a grid pattern.
  3. Workability: In order to prevent the concrete from hardening during transportation, it must be kept in constant motion. Hence, cement mixers.
  4. Consolidation: Once the concrete is in place, it should be consolidated to remove large air voids developed during placement. This process is also called compacting.
  5. Finishing: The surface must be smoothed to ensure proper texture.
  6. Cure: The concrete must be allowed to cure properly. This takes time.

Concrete Road Construction in Maryland

PTG Enterprises is a full service commercial pavement contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Over the years, we have paved thousands of miles of asphalt and concrete surface: roads, parking lots, etc. If you have a commercial concrete project you need completed, pick up the phone and call PTG. You can expect a fair proposal, professionalism, and quality work. We have managed hundreds of pavement projects throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia. Let us help you too.

Concrete Road Construction Maryland

Click Here to view images from our concrete road construction project at Tysons Galleria, an upscale three-level super-regional mall in McLean, Virginia.

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

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A Commercial Patio boosts the Curb Appeal of your Baltimore Business

July 25th, 2014

When it comes to business, image is everything, or so they say. In layman’s terms, curb appeal matters. If your business were a book, people would judge it by its cover. Sorry mom. It turns out it isn’t what’s inside that really counts. That is just the harsh reality of the Baltimore business community. Potential customers form an opinion about your business well-before ever stepping foot through the front door. So what type of impression is your business currently giving passersby?

A Commercial Patio boosts the Curb Appeal of your Baltimore Business

When it comes to boosting curb appeal, why not choose a project that not only improves aesthetics, but also functionality? Why not build a patio?

  1. A patio is both aesthetically appealing and functional, giving your employees and customers a nice outdoor venue in which to relax and unwind. Add a few tables and it is the perfect place for lunch!
  2. Because pavers come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors, there are nearly limitless design options. Hello, curb appeal!
  1. Patios have an expected lifespan of 30 years or more if installed correctly.

Commercial Patio Builder in Baltimore

PTG Enterprises has crews that can handle all of your commercial patio needs. We’re experts at masonry jobs, whether it’s repairing retaining walls, architectural elements, dumpster corrals, storm drains, or, of course, patios. We’re a paving company that knows how to hit the bricks!

Commercial Patio Baltimore

The Brick Laying Process

  1. Decide on a pattern. This includes choosing your pavers, which come in all types of shapes, sizes and colors. So be ready to make some tough decisions. If you are unsure what you want, PTG can work with you throughout the entire process.
  2. Let PTG Enterprises get to work. We will begin by taking measurements and planning out the entire process. We will also mark off utilities: water, gas, electrical.
  3. Time for some excavation. We will need to excavate the site, digging about 6-8 inches deep.
  4. Laying the framework. Next, we will lay the frame. This helps hold everything in place, preventing shifting over time.
  5. Gravel time! We will lay approximately 4 inches of gravel as a base.
  6. The sand comes next. We will cover the gravel with 2-3 inches of sand and level the entire surface.
  7. Brick by brick. Once the sand is level, we will begin laying the paving stones, brick by brick.
  8. Fill in the cracks. Now it is time to fill in the cracks with sand.
  9. Enjoy!

If you have any questions about how a Commercial Patio boosts the Curb Appeal of your Baltimore Business, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

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Proper Base and Subgrade Construction for Parking Lots

July 18th, 2014

A few weeks back, we discussed the Asphalt Installation Process: a quick overview of each and every step. This week, we are going to take a closer look at a single part of the process: Proper Base and Subgrade Construction. When it comes to paving parking lots, roadways, and other asphalt surfaces, there is perhaps no more important step than the base and subgrade. This is the foundation of your entire asphalt surface. If something goes wrong with the foundation, the entire parking lot – or at least a section of the parking lot – could fail prematurely.

Proper Base and Subgrade Construction for Parking Lots

Strength is essential for a long-lasting paving project. And it all begins with the base and subgrade. In fact, 80-90% of the strength of a road or parking lot is provided by the aggregate base.

  1. All underground utilities must be protected or relocated.
  2. Topsoil is removed.
  3. Analyze drainage concerns, soil quality, and traffic patterns.
  4. Low-quality soil should be improved upon by adding granular materials: lime, asphalt, etc.
  5. Remove rocks, debris, and vegetation.
  6. Grading.
  7. Subgrade soil must be compacted to an adequate density. Poor compaction can lead to premature pavement failure.
  8. Next, we calculate the total “base section.” This is the “gravel equivalency” or GE for this area. After the GE is calculated, for flexible pavements, asphalt concrete has a Gr of roughly 2.0 (twice the total strength) for standard use pavements.
  9. The base is placed directly on top of the subgrade, before being spread and compacted to proper thickness levels.

Pavement design is like baking a cake. If you do not follow the recipe, it could spell disaster!

Base and Subgrade Construction Parking Lots

Parking Lot Construction with PTG Enterprises

PTG Enterprises is a full service commercial pavement contractor. We have been in the paving business for more than a decade and have managed hundreds of pavement projects throughout Baltimore, Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia. When you call PTG Enterprises, you can expect a fair proposal, professionalism, and quality work. Our crews work quickly and professionally.

Unlike those other asphalt contractors, we care about you and your business. In fact, when you hire PTG, you’ll work with owner Patrick Gillen from start to finish, from the initial site visit and pre-construction meeting to the final walk-through.

If you have any questions about Proper Base and Subgrade Construction for Parking Lots, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

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The Difference between Asphalt Rejuvenator, Coal Tar Sealer and Asphalt Emulation

July 11th, 2014

Think of all of the wear and tear your asphalt installation goes through in a given year. Thousands upon thousands of cars may drive on it; it may endure many different types of severe weather; even sun exposure can contribute to the degradation of asphalt. For this reason, it is important to be proactive about maintaining your asphalt properly. You have three main choices when it comes to asphalt maintenance: asphalt rejuvenator, coal tar sealer, and asphalt emulation. PTG Enterprises’ paving experts can help you decide which option is right for you.

Asphalt Rejuvenator
According to Senior Civil Engineer of Houston, Adil Godiwalla, asphalt rejuvenators “play a major preventative maintenance role as demonstrated by its ability to improve pavement durability, extend it life, and reduce maintenance cost.” An asphalt rejuvenator works by replacing lost bitumens in the asphalt, which both reestablishes the strength and durability of the existing asphalt while adding a new element to it.

Coal Tar Sealer
A coal tar sealer is applied after the initial asphalt application and can be used as the asphalt ages to repair crack, splitting, and other imperfections in the surface. Coal tar sealer can prevent liquids, such as oil and gasoline, from leaking under the asphalt pavement layer and causing damage to its base.

Asphalt Emulation
Asphalt emulation sealer is a relatively affordable option for your asphalt sealing needs. Asphalt emulsion is the process of mixing asphalt with water and other polymers to create an effective sealant. While asphalt emulation can be used to seal the top layer of asphalt, it is often used to bind two layers of asphalt together in order to create a durable, hardy surface.

Selecting the right treatment for your asphalt pavement installation depends on a variety of factors. Let the experts at PTG Enterprises guide you in your search for asphalt rejuvenators, coal tar sealers, and asphalt emulsions.

Pavement Contractor Baltimore

The paving experts at PTG Enterprises have managed hundreds of pavement projects throughout Baltimore, Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia. You can expect a fair proposal, professionalism, and quality work.

If you have any questions about Asphalt Rejuvenator, Cold Tar Sealer, or Asphalt Emulation, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! Unlike those other asphalt contractors, we care about you and your business. In fact, when you hire PTG, you’ll work with owner Patrick Gillen from start to finish, from the initial site visit and pre-construction meeting to the final walk-through.

You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:
Certapro
Pavement Council
Pavement Interactive

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The Difference between Cement and Concrete

July 3rd, 2014

As Americans, we sometimes assign unintended meanings to words. For example, Jacuzzi is a brand of hot tub. Yet many people still refer to all hot tubs as Jacuzzis. Then you have Xerox, a document management company that gained fame for their copiers. Eventually, many Americans referred to all copiers or even copies as Xeroxes. And these are just a few of the many examples we could have chosen. However, one of the biggest misappropriations in the English language has to be the use of cement and concrete as synonyms.

Difference between Cement and Concrete

Cement and concrete: two completely different materials, yet people use the two terms synonymously. Do you know the difference between cement and concrete? If not, don’t worry; you are not alone.

The Difference between Cement and Concrete

Did you know that cement is actually one of the ingredients in concrete? In fact, concrete is comprised of 10-15% cement.

Cement

Cement is made from a mixture of limestone, calcium, silicon, aluminum, and other ingredients, which are then heated to roughly 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. This process forms a marble-like product known as clinkers. This is ground into a powder, mixed with gypsum, and – voila! – you have cement.

Concrete

Concrete is made when  sand and gravel (or crushed stone) are mixed with paste – water and cement – which hardens, binding the aggregate through a process known as hydration. This durable material is excellent for sidewalks, curbs, dumpster pads, and similar structures because of its strength and its ability to hold up well to the elements.

Concrete Contractor in Baltimore

If you have a commercial concrete project you need completed, then pick up the phone and call PTG Enterprises. Our crews are highly skilled and extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving. You can be rest assured that the end result will look professional and last for years to come.

If you have any questions about Concrete Paving, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! Unlike those other asphalt contractors, we care about you and your business. In fact, when you hire PTG, you’ll work with owner Patrick Gillen from start to finish, from the initial site visit and pre-construction meeting to the final walk-through.

You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

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The Asphalt Installation Process

June 27th, 2014

Asphalt: it’s everywhere, from highways to parking lots and driveways, but many of us take asphalt for granted. When was the last time you stopped and really thought about it? Where does asphalt come from? How is it installed? Well, today is your lucky day. The asphalt experts at PTG Enterprises are going to give you a closer look at the in-depth installation process.

Asphalt Installation
While an experienced crew may make paving look easy, trust us…it’s not!

The Asphalt Installation Process

For the sake of this article, we are going to just assume that the construction area has already been prepared. So let’s dive right in…

  1. After the stone is laid and fine graded it should be covered with the first layer or base course of asphalt to protect the integrity of the sub-base.
  2. Someone will spray or spot apply tack coat material along any concrete gutter pan or sidewalk reveals.While it may not seem like part of the installation process, one man will be responsible for controlling the movement of trucks. And trust us, this is an important job! It’s crucially important that the trucks stay in order and the next one up is always ready to go. The hotter the asphalt, the easier it is to work with.
  3. Finally, the asphalt is dumped to the paver. One man is responsible to make sure the joint lines up with the previous paving pull and another is responsible for determining thickness, grade, pitch and fall.
  4. The ground personnel, known as “Lute Men,” spread / rake high and low spots out of areas that were just paved but need minor adjustments.
  5. The roller man is responsible for the compaction of the freshly laid asphalt. Plate tampers and hand tampers are used in tight areas where pavers cannot go.
  6. Your base course asphalt is usually installed at two, three, or four inches and compacted to between 92 to 97% compaction.
  7. A second base or intermediate course of asphalt is installed IF NEEDED.
  8. The surface course of asphalt is installed at 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5 inches and compacted to between 92 to 97%.
  9. The area is left closed to all traffic for 24 hours and allowed to cure and harden.

Every new construction project will have its own set of specific requirements that run hand in hand with the type of property. It is important to have an experienced asphalt contractor that can handle each unique situation.

The asphalt paving experts at PTG Enterprises have managed hundreds of pavement projects throughout Baltimore, Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia. You can expect a fair proposal, professionalism, and quality work.

If you have any questions about Asphalt Installation, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! Unlike those other asphalt contractors, we care about you and your business. In fact, when you hire PTG, you’ll work with owner Patrick Gillen from start to finish, from the initial site visit and pre-construction meeting to the final walk-through.

You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

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Crack Filling can preserve the Curb Appeal of your Baltimore Business

June 20th, 2014

When it comes to running a successful business, image is everything, or so they say. Despite being told at a young age “don’t judge a book by its cover,” that is precisely what we do on a daily basis. We make snap decisions about businesses based on the outward appearance of their storefront. Poor curb appeal can negatively affect your business, warding off customers like a sign reading “we do not care about our own business, so why would we care about you!”

Crack Filling Baltimore


What kind of message is your storefront giving potential customers?

Crack Filling can preserve the Curb Appeal of your Baltimore Business

If we had a nickel for every time we talked about the freeze-thaw cycle, we would have quite a few nickles…

Bad jokes aside, this past winter wreaked havoc on asphalt parking lots all across the state of Maryland, from Baltimore to Ocean City. Water, which found its way into small cracks and holes, expanded as the temperature plummeted below freezing, causing small cracks to become large cracks and large cracks to become potholes. This process repeated itself several times throughout the harsh winter. The result: tremendous amounts of asphalt damage. Fortunately, there is a way to prevent further damage: Crack Filling.

Cracked asphalt isn’t just an eyesore, it’s a foundational risk. When left untreated, cracks will allow rain and moisture to penetrate the surface of the asphalt, softening the stone base and leading to further damage. Crack filling is exactly what it sounds like. It is the process used by asphalt contractors to fill cracks and prevent further water intrusion and, thus, protecting your pavement.

Crack filling, when performed in conjunction with other preventative maintenance tasks, such as seal coating, can greatly extend pavement life. Best of all, crack filling is very inexpensive, especially when compared to more extensive asphalt repairs. In fact, crack filling provides the most cost-effective use of dollars over time compared to other types of maintenance. Wow!

Crack Filling in Baltimore

The asphalt paving experts at PTG Enterprises have managed hundreds of pavement projects throughout Baltimore, Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia. You can expect a fair proposal, professionalism, and quality work.

A good contractor is hard to find!

If you have any questions about Pavement Repair and Crack Filling, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! Unlike those other asphalt contractors, we care about you and your business. In fact, when you hire PTG, you’ll work with owner Patrick Gillen from start to finish, from the initial site visit and pre-construction meeting to the final walk-through.

You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

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