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Asphalt Crack Sealing :: Parking Lot Sealcoating :: Professional Sealer

May 2nd, 2012

If you own a business or are a business manager, you knoe nothing looks worse than a worn down, cracked parking lot. It immediately gives your customers/clients the wrong first impression. And you only get one chance to make a good first impression.

Asphalt cracks form very slowly, sneaking up on you until that tiny crack becomes a major problem. Asphalt cracks slowly elongate and widen during weather changes such as freezing and thawing or intense periods of heat.

Dealing with Asphalt Cracks

Monitoring your parking lot carefully and catching these tiny cracks early enough will allow you to patch the problem before it gets any worse.

Asphalt crack sealing is the solution! But in order to get that professional look, you should use a professional asphalt contractor, like PTG Enterprises. They will be able to properly apply your sealcoat, ensuring your parking surface remains crack free for as long as possible.

What is Sealcoating?

Sealcoating is a preventative measure that helps safeguard a parking lot against the harsh effects of gas, oil, salt, weather conditions and oxidation. When applied properly, a sealcoat cures on your parking lot leaving a fresh black finish (protective layer).

How often should you sealcoat your parking lot?

A newly laid asphalt parking lot should be sealed within the first 12 months. Because of the ever-increasing costs of asphalt, many business owners now seal every other year, but the widely accepted time frame is every two years.

If you have any further questions about Asphalt Cracks Sealing, Sealcoating, or have a Sealcoating 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 pavement projects and have the experience you need.

“There are many different sealcoating options available to property managers and owners today than there were when I started in the Industry,” said PTG Enterprises owner Patrick T. Gillen III. “This works to the advantage of the property and to the pavement. Now, depending on the current condition of the asphalt, I have the ability to recommend several different options depending on the condition of the lot, previous maintenance schedules and budgets.”

Give Patrick T. Gillen III and the rest of the asphalt experts at PTG Enterprises 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!

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Posted in Asphalt Maintenance, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Maryland Sealcoating Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News, Sealcoating Frequently Asked Questions | 4 Comments »

Is Thicker Sealer Better? :: Sealcoating Tips from My Pavement Guy

April 27th, 2012

The decision to sealcoat an asphalt surface is an easy one. After all, the cost of sealcoating is only pennies a square yard versus repairs and rehabilitation, which can be as much as twenty times higher. What does confuse many business owners and property managers is the amount of sealer needed.

The more the merrier, right? Well, no.

Bigger is not always better. And the same goes for thickness…especially when talking about sealcoating. When it comes to the application of sealer, thicker is definitely not better. Sealer is not meant to be applied in thick patches.

Disadvantages of Thick Sealer

  • Thick coats don’t cure evenly
  • They are prone to tracking and can lead to surface cracks
  • A thicker coat takes longer to cure, which can lead to degradation
  • Thicker coats will reduce the life of your sealcoating

A thick sealcoating will not provide your parking lot with more protection. It actually has the opposite effect. Sealer manufacturers set specific mix designs for their product; when these specifications are not adhered to, the product will not perform as intended.

One of the easiest ways to tell if a parking lot has been over-sealed is if the lot has no texture. An asphalt parking lot should never look smooth, the texture of the below asphalt should be visible.

Avoid the typical more is better thinking —with sealer, thicker is not better!

If you have any further questions about Sealcoating or have a Sealcoating 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 pavement projects and have the experience you need.

“There are many different sealcoating options available to property managers and owners today than there were when I started in the Industry,” said PTG Enterprises owner Patrick T. Gillen III. “This works to the advantage of the property and to the pavement. Now, depending on the current condition of the asphalt, I have the ability to recommend several different options depending on the condition of the lot, previous maintenance schedules and budgets.”

Give Patrick T. Gillen III and the rest of the asphalt experts at PTG Enterprises 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!

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Posted in Asphalt Maintenance, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Maryland Sealcoating Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News, Sealcoating Frequently Asked Questions | 2 Comments »

Using Fiber Reinforcements in Concrete :: Fiber Reinforced Concrete

April 20th, 2012

The idea of using fibers as reinforcement in concrete is not a new concept. In fact, it has been around since ancient times. Just check out the below concrete fiber reinforcement timeline:

  • Straw was used in mud bricks.
  • Horsehair was used in mortar.
  • In the early 19oos, asbestos fibers were used in concrete.
  • In the 1950s composite materials revolutionized the concept of fiber-reinforced concrete.
  • In the 1960s steel, glass, and polypropylene fibers replaced asbestos.

Common Benefits of Fiber Reinforced Concrete

  • Fibers are used to control cracking due to both plastic shrinkage and drying shrinkage.
  • Fibers reduce the permeability of concrete.
  • Fibers reduce bleeding of water.
  • Certain fibers provide impact, abrasion and shatter resistance in concrete.

Benefits of Particular Concrete Fibers

Polypropylene and Nylon Fibers

  • Improve mix cohesion, improving pumpability over long distances.
  • Improve freeze-thaw resistance.
  • Improve resistance to explosive spalling in case of a severe fire.
  • Improve impact resistance.
  • Increase resistance to plastic shrinkage during curing.

Steel Reinforcement Fibers

  • Improve structural strength.
  • Reduce steel reinforcement requirements.
  • Improve ductility.
  • Reduce crack widths and control the crack widths tightly thus improve durability.
  • Improve impact & abrasion resistance.
  • Improve freeze-thaw resistance.
  • In certain specific circumstances, steel fiber can entirely replace traditional steel reinforcement bar in reinforced concrete.

Steel and Polmeric Fiber Blend

Construction companies tend to blend steel fibers and polypropylene fibers, utilizing the benefits of both products, including:

  • Structural improvements provided by steel fibers.
  • Resistance to explosive spalling provided by polymeric fibers .
  • Resistance to plastic shrinkage provided by polymeric fibers.

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC)

ECC is a sub-category of fiber reinforced concrete boasting several impressive benefits, including:

  • 500 times more resistance to cracking than traditional concrete.
  • 40 percent lighter than traditional concrete.
  • Sustain strain-hardening up to several percent strain, resulting in a material ductility of at least two orders of magnitude higher when compared to normal concrete or standard fiber-reinforced concrete.
  • Unique cracking behavior, including a crack width to below 100 µm.

If you have any further questions about Fiber Reinforced Concrete or 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 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!

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Sealcoating: Is 50 Degrees Really Warm Enough?

April 13th, 2012

Most (if not all) sealcoat manufacturers recommend a minimum application temperature of 50 degrees. And I know what you are thinking; “is 50 degrees really warm enough?” Well, yes and no.

50 degrees should be the minimum temperature you BEGIN sealing at. And this is only acceptable when you have at least 3 hours of sunshine and the temperature will stay above the 50-degree mark during the application process. Otherwise, you risk complications.

Remember, 50 degrees is a MARGINAL starting point only. If you have any doubt about the weather or temperature before you begin sealcoating, be safe and do not begin the application process!

To ensure that your sealcoat project is performed correctly, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises.

Asphalt parking lot maintenance is important. But of all the precautions you can take to ensure your parking surface lasts for a long time, sealcoating is perhaps the most important. So do the right thing for your parking lot and have it sealcoated every 2-7 years, or as needed. This will protect your asphalt surface and greatly minimize the need for constant maintenance and repairs.

If you have any further questions about Sealcoating or have a Sealcoating 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 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!

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Posted in Asphalt Maintenance, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Maryland Sealcoating Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News, Sealcoating Frequently Asked Questions | Comments Off on Sealcoating: Is 50 Degrees Really Warm Enough?

The Great Debate: Asphalt vs. Concrete

April 6th, 2012

Which is better, asphalt or concrete? That is the question that people have been asking for years upon years upon years. And to this day, we have no definitive answer.

Yet, while there is no all-encompassing answer, both asphalt and concrete have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of project being undertaken. So before you make a pavement decision, you need to ask yourself the following set of questions:

•      Which pavement better for my specific project?

•      Which pavement will be the most cost-effective? The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) and NAPA encourage contractors to look at the long-term costs of maintenance and rehabilitation and not upfront costs.

•      Which pavement will last longer?

•      Which pavement will require the least amount of maintenance costs? 25% of roads in cities across the United States must be either rehabilitated or completely replaced in the next two years.

•      Do I want to fully replace, or rehabilitate?

“There are three main factors to consider: initial cost, time to first rehabilitation, and cost of total reconstruction or major rehabilitation at the 40- to 50-year mark,” said Dave Newcomb, P.E., PhD, vice president of research and technology with the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).

Benefits of Concrete

New construction: Concrete may be a good way to minimize future inconvenience when building new roads or expanding existing roads.

Around Underground Utilities: When separating sewer and drainage pipes (no more combined sewers), the public works department must dig out the roadway, which could present a good opportunity to go in and place longer-life pavements.

Benefits of Asphalt

Perpetual Asphalt: Asphalt also can be specified as a long-term solution. While some pavements must be completely removed and reconstructed, perpetual pavements can last indefinitely, with the only rehabilitation being milling of the surface followed by asphalt overlay. Perpetual pavement is designed to resist structural fatigue distress for at least 50 years.

Asphalt Overlay: An asphalt overlay, which can be placed on either an asphalt or concrete roadway, is fast and cost-effective to construct. The result provides a smooth, safe, durable, quiet surface for many years.

Still, there is no clear cut winner.

“If we get communities to base roadway design on total life of pavement and total capacity, concrete and asphalt are comparable in many ways,” said Scott Haislip, director of streets and roads with the ACPA.

If you have any further questions about the Differences Between Asphalt and Concrete, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

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!

Sources:

Asphalt versus concrete

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Martin O’Malley’s wants to apply the Sales Tax to Gasoline and Diesel

March 29th, 2012

There are only a few weeks remaining in Maryland’s General Assembly. And many issues are still unresolved, including Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s proposal to add the state’s 6% sales tax to both gasoline and diesel.

  • The current motor fuel excise tax of 23 cents/gallon for gasoline and 24.25 cents/gallon for diesel would remain intact.
  • The 6% sales tax would be phased in at 2% per year over three years.
  • The sales tax would be calculated based on the six month average cost of the lowest grade of gasoline and then applied to both gas and diesel.
  • The tax would be calculated after subtracting the current federal and state excise taxes.

As you can imagine, the governor’s proposal has been met with a lot of opposition, especially from members of the Maryland Motor Truck Association (MMTA) and the rest of the transportation industry.

How do you feel about O’Malley’s proposal? We want to know what you think!

Other issues still being debated that concern the transportation industry include:

  • Require mandatory off-loading of vehicles carrying perishable products if they exceed the gross vehicle weight limit by more than 5,000 lbs.
  • Permit Baltimore City to install height detectors to electronically enforce time-of-day restrictions on prohibited truck routes.
  • Authorize the Maryland State Police to adopt certain sections of Parts 385 and 386 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, governing new entrant carriers and carriers declared as imminent hazards.
  • Tighten the procedures for public hearings and notice requirements before the MD Transportation Authority approves a toll increase.
  • Prevent transfers of monies out of the Transportation Trust Fund.
  • Eliminate an outdated certification requirement for drivers carrying controlled hazardous substances.
  • Expand the sales tax to dozens of services, including motor vehicle repair and maintenance.
  • Make the state’s cell phone ban a primary offense.

If you have any further questions about the Governor’s Tax Proposal, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

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!

Sources:

Maryland Motor Truck Association – MMTA E-News

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Wide Lines Lead to Safer Highways

March 23rd, 2012

A study “An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Wider Edge Line Pavement Markings” – conducted by Texas A&M University’s Transportation Institute (TTI) found that wider paint lines on roadway shoulders (edge lines) reduce crashes and fatalities. The study analyzed Federal Highway Administration data from Kansas, Michigan and Illinois. The evidence all supported the adoption of wider edge lines.

Study Findings

•      Wider edge lines have been shown to reduce total crashes 15 to 30 percent

•      Wider edge lines have been shown to reduce fatal plus injury crashes 15 to 38 percent

•      The benefit-cost ratio for wider edge lines is $33 to $55 for each $1 spent

This provides highway officials with a very cost-effective, statistically sound way to improve safety without expensive and inconvenient construction.

“With the ultimate goal being highway safety, transportation agencies across the U.S. now have strong data to support the undertaking of a relatively low-cost measure to improve highway safety and reduce fatalities,” said Kevin Goforth, president of the American Glass Bead Manufacturers’ Association, who sponsored the study.

Many states have already made the switch to wider edge lines, opting for six inches instead of four inches. But until this study, those changes were made without sound empirical findings to support the decision.

If you have any further questions about this study, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

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!

Sources:

Study: Wider Line Markings Make Highways Safer

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New ADA Standards Make Pavement Contractors Indispensable

March 16th, 2012

Last week, we told you about Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III – the new ADA standards that guarantee persons with disabilities are provided accommodations and access equal to, or similar to, the general public into commercial facilities and areas of public accommodation. And last week, we told you how these new standards would affect business owners across the nation. Well, what about pavement contractors?

All signs point to the ADA standards as a bonus for the pavement maintenance industry. When business owners are faced with the challenge of complying with these new standards (a full list can be found at http://www.ada.gov/), whom do you think they will call?

Pavement Contractors!

These new ADA standards create a network of accessibility that leads from one requirement to the next with each stage having specific requirements that must be met. And like any government regulation, the new ADA Standards are complex and can, at times, be difficult to decipher. But this just means that pavement contractors will become increasingly indispensable to business owners everywhere as the nation strives to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III.

If you have any further questions about compliabnce with these new ADA standards, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

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!

Sources:

New ADA Standards Take Effect in 2012. How will the line striping contractor be affected?

How ADA Updates Can Make You Indispensible To Your Customer

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Posted in Asphalt Maintenance, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Parking Lot Re-Striping, Parking Lot Striping, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News | Comments Off on New ADA Standards Make Pavement Contractors Indispensable

Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III

March 9th, 2012

Next Thursday, March 15, 2012, compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III becomes mandatory. 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.

The 2010 updates are enforceable under civil rights law. This means that a person is able to file lawsuit if he/she has “reasonable grounds” for believing that discrimination is about to occur, 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.

To help facilitate the transition process, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is allowing a one-year “grace period” for businesses to prepare for the changes.

2010 ADA Guidelines

  1. Facilities that provide goods or services directly to the public: These facilities will 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. Facilities that do not provide goods/services directly to the public: These facilities are only subject to new construction and alteration requirements.
  3. Small businesses with very limited parking (four or fewer spaces): These businesses must have one accessible parking space; though no new signage is required.
  4. Medium-Large Businesses: Non-van accessible parking stalls need to be 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.

However, specific ADA regulations will vary depending on location.

For additional information on the new ADA standards, please visit http://www.ada.gov/.

If you have any further questions, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

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!

Sources:

New ADA Standards Take Effect in 2012. How will the line striping contractor be affected?

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Posted in General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Parking Lot Re-Striping, Parking Lot Striping, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News | Comments Off on Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III

Perpetual Asphalt: Asphalt for Performance

February 29th, 2012

With perpetual pavements, asphalt pavements last longer. This means that your investment will last longer. And who doesn’t like a good investment?

Perpetual asphalt is constructed so that distress occurs on the top layer only, protecting the rest of the pavement. This means that the only rehabilitation required is the removal of the surface and resurfacing with an asphalt overlay. And with current pavement technologies, this only has to be done every 15 to 20 years.

Benefits of Perpetual Asphalt

Durability: Perpetual asphalt has an extremely long lifespan. These pavements require minimal maintenance and no full-depth reconstruction.

Rubblization: The concrete pavement is left in place, rubblized (fractured), and used as the base for a new Perpetual Pavement. This is beneficial for several reasons, including:

•      It is environmentally friendly

•      It saves money

•      It is incredibly fast to construct and rehabilitate

•      It cuts down on road repair time

Safety: Smooth asphalt roads give vehicle tires superior contact with the road.

Noise Reduction: Noise reductions of 3 to 10 dB(a) are common. Reducing noise by 3 dB(a) is about the same as doubling the distance from the road to the listener, or reducing traffic volume by 50 percent.

Fuel Efficiency: Studies at a pavement test track in Nevada have shown that driving on smoother surfaces can reduce fuel consumption by 4.5 percent.

Perpetual Pavement is the ultimate in sustainable design and construction.

If you have any further questions, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

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!

Sources:

Asphalt for Performance

Performance Means Sustainability

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