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Asphalt Deterioration and Asphalt Maintenance

September 6th, 2013

Asphalt Maintenance

Over the years, the elements take their toll on your asphalt parking lot. Rain, snow, sun, and the constant freezing and thawing slowly breaks down the materials that make up asphalt and the liquid binder that holds the pavement together begins to lose its natural resistance to water, further allowing liquid to seep into the pavement. Once this happens, the surface can quickly be affected. Visual asphalt deterioration, such as cracks and potholes, will begin to materialize. When this happens, immediate action is required.

Do not put this off and let small cracks become big problems. It is far better to pay for a little patching now than to have to pay for a total re-paving down the road. Asphalt maintenance will help extend the useful life of your asphalt, saving you both heartache and money. So what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and call PTG Enterprises today! We are a full service commercial asphalt contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area. And with more than a decade in the business, PTG knows a thing or two about asphalt maintenance. So why would you call anyone else?

Asphalt Maintenance

  1. Crack Fill: Asphalt cracks are sealed to prevent further water penetration and thus further damage.
  2. Overlay: An overlay is when a new and additional layer of asphalt is installed over what is already there.
  3. Asphalt Patching: Unlike an overlay, asphalt patching involves the removal of the damaged asphalt, typically in a single area. Once this is done, new asphalt is poured onto the existing sub-base or sub-grade.

Of course, you don’t have to wait for something to go wring before taking action. A preventive approach to maintenance could save you a lot of money. This is why you should talk to PTG Enterprises about Sealcoating, a preventive measure that helps safeguard asphalt from the harsh effects of gas, oil, salt, weather conditions and oxidation. Sealcoating, which is essentially a thin liquid layer added over a paved surface, is designed to block water infiltration, protecting your asphalt surface and extending its useful life.

If you have any questions about Sealcoating or Asphalt Deterioration and Asphalt Maintenance, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy 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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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance is our Specialty

August 30th, 2013

PTG Enterprises is a full service commercial asphalt contractor in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 2001, we have set the standard for quality asphalt work in the area, paving thousands of miles of asphalt lots. We care about you and your business. That is why we do everything in our power to ensure your project is not only up to our high standards, but also compliant with local and national building regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In fact, we specialize in ADA compliance.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

PTG Enterprises: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance is our Specialty

ADA compliance prohibits the discrimination persons with disabilities, ensuring equal opportunity in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. Title III of the Act specifically guarantees persons with disabilities are provided accommodations and access equal to, or similar to, the general public into commercial facilities and areas of public accommodation, such as parking lots, sidewalks, and entranceways.

For additional information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, please visit http://www.ada.gov/.

Failure to comply with ADA, Title III can result in civil law suits with fines as high as $100,000 imposed per offense. This is why you need an asphalt contractor who specializes in ADA compliance. This is why you need PTG Enterprises. Our asphalt experts have the experience and knowledge you need to ensure your commercial facility is compliant.

If you have any questions about Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy 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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Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP): America’s most Recycled Product

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).

Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement

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:

  1. Asphalt and the processes used to produce asphalt are green and require about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct than other pavements.
  2. Once constructed, asphalt pavements have minimal impact on the environment. They do not leach petroleum into the earth.
  3. Asphalt has a small carbon footprint.
  4. 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!

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Fall Sealcoating from PTG Enterprises, your Baltimore Asphalt Contractor

August 16th, 2013

With summer quickly coming to an end and the temperature starting to feel a bit more like autumn, now is the perfect time to have your asphalt parking lot sealcoated. Sealcoating should only be applied if both ambient temperature and pavement temperature are above 50°F and below 85°F, making fall the perfect sealcoating season.

Fall Sealcoating

Benefits of Sealcoating

  1. Aesthetics: First and foremost, sealcoating will give your asphalt a dark black color, greatly improving its appearance. Sealcoating will also make your traffic lines more visible, improving safety conditions. Of course, aesthetics is just one of the many benefits of sealcoating.
  2. Protection: Sealcoating will preserve the resilience of your asphalt parking surface and will keep small cracks from becoming big structural problems by locking moisture out. Furthermore, sealcoating protects your parking lot from harsh UV rays.
  3. Maintenance: Sealcoating costs pennies per square foot. Asphalt repairs cost dollars per square foot. You do the math.

So do the right thing for your parking lot and have it sealcoated every 2-7 years, or as needed. Do your research and trust the job to a company with a proven track record of professionalism and excellence, like PTG Enterprises, Inc.

Fall Sealcoating from PTG Enterprises, your Baltimore Asphalt Contractor

PTG Enterprises is a full service commercial asphalt contractor in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 2001, we have set the standard for quality asphalt work in the area, paving thousands of miles of asphalt lots. Unlike those other 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 the Fall Sealcoating, 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!

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The Milling and Paving Process

August 9th, 2013

The Milling and Paving Process

You are finally done for the day. You turn off the computer, hit the light switch, lock your office door and begin to make your way to the front door. You take one step out of the door and there it is…a crack in the asphalt. Oh no! What do you do? Do you panic? Why is this happening?

First of all, take a deep breathe. Asphalt is not indestructible. In fact, asphalt surfaces begin to deteriorate as soon as they are first paved. The good news is that with regular maintenance, your parking lot will last 15-20 years. However, there will come a time when it needs to be replaced.

The Milling and Paving Process

Milling and paving is one of the most cost effective ways to repair damaged parking lots or roadways. The process begins with milling, the removal of deteriorated asphalt down to a specific depth to make room for a new asphalt surface. The milling process grinds up the existing asphalt (millings) so it can be shipped off site and easily recycled. The newly milled surface is then layered with tack to prepare it for re-paving.

Viola! You have a new parking lot!

PTG Enterprises, your Baltimore, Maryland Asphalt Contractor

Since 2001, PTG Enterprises has set the standard for quality asphalt work in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Unlike those other 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. So why would you call anyone else?

PTG will excavate the deteriorated pavement surface using a milling machine designed to grind off the deteriorated layers of pavement. Once milling is complete our crews will prep and re-pave the area. It is as simple as that.

If you have any questions about the Milling and Paving Process, 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!

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Asphalt Patching, Crack Fill and other forms of Asphalt Maintenance

August 1st, 2013

Asphalt Maintenance

Asphalt is not indestructible. It will not last forever. In fact, even with regular maintenance, your asphalt parking lot will only last 15-20 years. The key phrase in that last sentence is “with regular maintenance.” Without maintenance, your asphalt will deteriorate much quicker.

Asphalt maintenance refers to the methods and techniques used to prolong the useful life of asphalt pavement.

Forms of Asphalt Maintenance

  1. Crack Fill: Over time, cracks will undoubtedly form in your asphalt. This is normal and easy to deal with. Crack filling is the process in which asphalt cracks are sealed to prevent further water penetration and thus further damage. When water finds its way into the cracks and crevices in the surface of your asphalt, it works its way to the base, slowly eroding your parking lot from beneath. The end results are cracks, pot holes, and, eventually, premature pavement failure.
  2. Asphalt Patching: Unlike an overlay, which is the placement of new asphalt on top of the old, damaged asphalt, asphalt patching involves the removal of the damaged asphalt, typically in a single area. Once this is done, new asphalt is poured onto the existing sub-base or sub-grade.
  3. Overlay: An overlay is when a new and additional layer of asphalt is installed over what is already there.
  4. Sealcoating: This preventative maintenance measure helps safeguard asphalt from the harsh effects of gas, oil, salt, weather conditions and oxidation. Sealcoating, which is essentially a thin liquid layer added over a paved surface, is designed to block water infiltration, protecting your asphalt surface and extending its useful life.

Asphalt maintenance will help extend the useful life of your asphalt, saving you both heartache and money. So what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and call PTG Enterprises today! We have been in the asphalt paving business for more than a decade and know a thing or two about asphalt maintenance. So do yourself a favor the next time you have an asphalt project. Call PTG Enterprises, the asphalt contractor that cares about you, the customer.

If you have any questions about our blog, “Asphalt Patching, Crack Fill and other forms of Asphalt Maintenance,” 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!

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Highway Construction Safety 101: Hi Visibility Safety Garments & PPE

July 25th, 2013

Construction Safety

There are hazards that exist in every workplace. When that workplace is adjacent to speeding vehicles, those hazards are multiplied.

Highway Construction Safety 101

  1. Hazard Assessment: First and foremost, it is important to identify those potential hazards that threaten construction workers, such as moving objects, fluctuating temperatures, high intensity lighting, rolling or pinching objects, electrical connections and sharp edges.
  2. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE): Personal Protection Equipment, more , commonly referred to as PPE, include gloves, foot and eye protection, protective hearing devices (earplugs, muffs) hard hats, respirators and full body suits. These items are designed to keep construction workers safe. OSHA requires PPE to meet the following American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards: Eye and Face Protection: ANSI Z87.1-1989 (USA Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection), Head Protection: ANSI Z89.1-1986, and Foot Protection: ANSI Z41.1-1991.
  3. Hi Visibility Safety Garments: Hi visibility safety garments make your employees easier to see at night, in poor weather, against cluttered backgrounds, and on busy work sites. The American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA 107-2010) is a standard set forth by the American National Standards Institute outlining the design, performance specifications, and use of high-visibility and reflective apparel for the protection of construction, maintenance, and utility workers who are routinely exposed to hazards of low visibility in the workplace. “Garments that meet this standard can be worn 24 hours a day to provide users with a high level of conspicuity through the use of combined fluorescent and retroreflective materials.”

If you have any questions about our blog, “Highway Construction Safety 101,” 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:

International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA)

Introduction to The ANSI Hi-Visibility Standard

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance & Your Parking Lot

July 18th, 2013

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits the discrimination persons with disabilities, ensuring equal opportunity in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. So what does this have to do with your parking lot and commercial facility? Well, Title III of the Act guarantees persons with disabilities are provided accommodations and access equal to, or similar to, the general public into commercial facilities and areas of public accommodation.

ADA Compliance

ADA, Title III Guidelines

  1. Facilities that provide goods or services directly to the public be required to remove architectural barriers in existing buildings, and must make sure that newly built or altered facilities are constructed to be accessible.
  2. Small businesses with very limited parking (four or fewer spaces) must have one accessible parking space; though no new signage is required.
  3. Medium-Large Businesses must have non-van accessible parking stalls measuring 8’ wide with a 60″ aisle. For van-accessible parking, the van parking stall should be 11’, with a 60″ access isle. Plus, disabled parking signs are required on all accessible parking spaces, and should be easily visible, a minimum of 60″ off the ground.
  4. And more.

For additional information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, please visit http://www.ada.gov/.

Failure to comply with ADA, Title III can result in civil law suits with penalties of up to $100,000 imposed per offense. Don’t take that chance. Call PTG Enterprises and ensure your commercial facility is compliant with ADA standards. We are a full service commercial asphalt contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area and our asphalt experts have the experience and knowledge you need to ensure your commercial facility is compliant.

If you have any questions about our blog, “Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance & Your Parking Lot,” 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!

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Am I Liable? Potholes, Trip/Fall Hazards, Missing Signage, & ADA Compliance

July 11th, 2013

When damage to a vehicle or worse, injury to a person occurs on your commercial property, you probably have one question looming in your mind; “Am I Liable?” Odds are, if you knew about the issue, such as a pothole or crack, and did not rectify the issue in a timely manner, you can most likely be held liable.

“All Maryland businesses, corporations, employers and business owners have a legal obligation and responsibility to properly maintain all areas of their property. This includes parking lots, driveways and sidewalks…these accidents can ultimately lead to life altering injuries that can take significant amounts of time, energy and money…management companies, cleaning companies, outsourced security companies and other corporate entities can also be held responsible for your injuries,” warns one Baltimore, Maryland lawyer who advertises himself as a “Harford County Parking Lot Accident Attorney.”

Am I Liable?

“Potholes and sinkholes can easily develop in parking lots and sidewalks, especially during the winter. Property owners have a responsibility to make sure either that these hazards are repaired or that people walking and driving on their property are warned against them,” added a New York attorney who advertises himself on his website as a “Bronx Sinkhole Injury Attorney” and a “Brooklyn Parking Lot and Sidewalk Injury Attorney.”

What’s worse, if someone is injured on your property as a result of your negligence and improperly maintained premises, your insurance may not cover the damages. Improperly maintained premises – including those awful potholes that sometimes spring up overnight – are considered the fault of the policyholder. You and you alone are responsible for maintaining your parking lot, sidewalks, and driveways. But no one said you couldn’t ask for a little help.

PTG Enterprises, Your Baltimore Asphalt Contractor

PTG Enterprises is a full service commercial asphalt contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area. We have been in the asphalt paving business for more than a decade, paving thousands of miles of asphalt lots. If your asphalt needs patching give us a call today! Failing to patch a crack or pothole allows water to penetrate the surface, slowly degrading the asphalt from the inside out, worsening the problem or causing premature failure of the pavement.

PTG Enterprises can also help with missing signage and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

  1. Missing Signage: Not only do new paint, signs and wheel stops give your parking lot a “WOW” finished look, but missing signage and improperly marked parking lots could put you at risk for lawsuits.
  2. ADA Compliance: Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III guarantees persons with disabilities are provided accommodations and access equal to, or similar to, the general public into commercial facilities and areas of public accommodation. These standards are enforceable under civil rights law, meaning a person is able to file a lawsuit if he/she has “reasonable grounds” for believing that discrimination has occurred, rather than filing a grievance after the fact. A civil law suit can be filed with penalties of up to $100,000 imposed per offense.

Our crews work quickly and professionally. So why would you call anyone else?

If you have any questions about our blog, “Am I Liable? Potholes, Trip/Fall Hazards, Missing Signage, & ADA Compliance,” 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:

Parking Lots Potholes are Valuable – to Attorneys and Plaintiffs

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Sealed vs. Unsealed Asphalt

July 5th, 2013

While asphalt may seem tough and durable, the effects of traffic and the elements take their toll, slowly breaking down the pavement over time. This is why Sealcoating is so important. Still, countless property managers forgo sealcoating in an effort to save money.

Cost Comparison of Sealed & Unsealed Asphalt

The example is based on a 30,000 Square Yard parking lot with 600 spaces.

  Work Performed Sealed Asphalt Unsealed Asphalt
  Original Paving installation completed:    
1st Year Restripe Lot $4,000 $4,000
2nd Year Restripe Lot    
3rd Year 2 Coat sealcoat application and restripe $33,000 $4,000
4th Year Restripe Lot    
5th Year Restripe Lot $4,000 $4,000
6th Year Restripe Lot   $4,000
7th Year 2 Coat sealcoat application and restripe $33,000 $4,000
8th Year Restripe Lot   $4,000
9th Year Restripe Lot $4,000 $4,000
10th Year Restripe Lot   $4,000
11th Year 2 Coat sealcoat application and restripe $33,000 $4,000
12th Year Overlay lot with 1 ½” of asphalt and restripe   $305,000
  Total Cost after 12 Years: $111,000 $341,000
  Total Cost per square Yard over 12 Years: $3.70/SY $11.37/SY

When left untreated, asphalt pavement will deteriorate rapidly. The asphalt binder that holds the pavement together begins to oxidize and weather soon after installation. Moisture penetrates the asphalt causing further damage and deterioration to the pavement.

Sealed v.s. Unsealed Asphalt

Solution: Sealing with MasterSeal Asphalt Based Pavement Sealer from SealMaster®. The benefits of sealcoating include:

  1. Sealcoating helps replenish the binder that is lost through weathering and aging.
  2. Sealcoating provides superior protection against environmental distress.
  3. Instituting a regular sealcoating program will help you realize significant savings.
  4. Your parking lot will not fade and look great for a long time.
  5. Sealed parking lots are much easier to clean.
  6. Line striping will look sharper and brighter.
  7. Snow and ice will melt much quicker, providing your customers with a much safer environment.
  8. A pavement maintenance program that includes periodic sealcoating and crack filling will more than double the service life of your asphalt pavement.
  9. And Much More!

SealMaster® pavement sealers are applied by the company’s nationwide network of qualified pavement maintenance professionals, like PTG Enterprises.

PTG Enterprises, Your Baltimore Sealcoating Contractor

PTG Enterprises is proud to be the local SealMaster® supplier in the Baltimore area.

PTG Enterprises is a full service commercial asphalt contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area. We have been in the asphalt paving business for more than a decade, paving thousands of miles of asphalt lots. During this time, we have learned the importance of not only producing high quality work, but also using high quality materials, like SealMaster® products.

If you have any questions about Sealed vs. Unsealed Asphalt, 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!

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