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Posts Tagged ‘Baltimore’

Baltimore is in for a Harsh Winter; Concrete Sealer Protects Pavement

Friday, October 24th, 2014

Baltimore Concrete SealerIt looks like we are in for another harsh winter here in Baltimore. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a colder than normal and wetter than normal winter and climate experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration agree. Are you ready for snow and ice…again?

In order to keep their sidewalks free from snow and ice, many business owners and property managers turn to de-icing chemicals. After all, the last thing you need is a lawsuit because one of your customers slipped and fell on the ice.

“All Maryland businesses, corporations, employers and business owners have a legal obligation and responsibility to properly maintain all areas of their property,” explains a local, Baltimore attorney who calls himself the “Harford County Parking Lot Accident Attorney.”

Unfortunately, in an effort to make your sidewalks safer, you could be hurting them in the process. There is significant evidence that de-icing chemicals chemically interact with concrete, resulting is cracking, strength loss, and eventually pavement failure.

“No de-icing chemicals are safe,” explains Patrick Gillen III, owner of PTG Enterprises.

Fortunately there is a way to protect your sidewalks and concrete structures from the damaging effects of de-icing chemicals: Concrete Sealer.

Concrete Sealer Protects Pavement

Your concrete is strong and durable, but it’s not indestructible. Over the years, natural wear and tear takes its toll. This deterioration is sped up by the freeze-thaw cycle, as well as the application of de-icing chemicals. In layman’s terms, winter is not your concrete’s friend. The solution: Concrete Sealer.

Concrete is a very porous material. Without sealing, your concrete is vulnerable. Concrete sealer is a compound used to protect your concrete from the elements, as well as the damaging effects of most de-icing chemicals.

Your concrete should not be left unsealed.

According to the American Concrete Institute, the Portland Cement Association, and the National Ready Mix Concrete Association, most concrete damage is “atributal to surface moisture intrusion.” Sealers, meanwhile, help prevent water and harmful chemicals from penetrating deep into your concrete, eroding it from the inside out.

Baltimore Concrete Sealer

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 Concrete Sealer, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

What Makes Good Concrete? Baltimore Roadways Hang in the Balance

Friday, August 29th, 2014

Concrete BaltimoreSidewalks, roadways, and any concrete surface for that matter, are only as strong as the concrete they are made from (and their reinforcement – when necessary). And concrete strength all comes down to mix design. There are numerous types, strengths, and compositions of concrete, each with its own unique set of characteristics that dictate performance.

Concrete Strength

Concrete strength is presented in Pounds per Square Inch, or PSI. Normal concrete typically ranges from 2,500 PSI to 5,000 PSI, while engineered design mixes can exceed 10,000 PSI. Weaker strengths are available for grouts.

  1. 2,500 PSI: At this strength, concrete is best suited for sidewalks, driveways, and graded floor slabs.
  2. 3,000 PSI: In many locations, 3,000 PSI is the standard strength for construction.
  3. 3,500 PSI: When significant loading is expected and surface spalling is unacceptable – curbs, building footings, floor slabs, etc. – 3,500 PSI is the strength you need.
  4. 4,000 PSI: This is where we start talking about roadways and heavy-use floor slabs.
  5. 5,000 PSI: This strength is typically reserved for special construction projects requiring high impact resistance and very low wear rates, or where extreme conditions are expected.

Additional factors that affect concrete include: pump mixes, exposed aggregate mixes, entrained air mixtures, and, of course, reinforcement (as we mentioned early on).

Concrete Construction in Baltimore

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 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!

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

Friday, 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.

Click Here to schedule a site visit!

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!

A Commercial Patio boosts the Curb Appeal of your Baltimore Business

Friday, 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!

Crack Filling can preserve the Curb Appeal of your Baltimore Business

Friday, 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!

Pavement Repair Services in Baltimore

Friday, June 13th, 2014

If we have said it once, we have said it a thousand times. This past winter in Baltimore was harsh. Period. End of story. As a result of the freeze-thaw cycle, you may have noticed some damage to your concrete and asphalt surfaces: cracking, potholes, and more. It is important to address this damage before it worsens. As water penetrates the surface of your sidewalk, parking lot, or other pavement surface through the damaged area, it begins to deteriorate the pavement from the inside out. The longer a crack or pothole goes uncorrected, the greater the damage to the base and the greater the likelihood of further damage.

Types of Pavement Damage

  1. Cracks.
  2. Potholes, a car’s worst enemy.
  3. Corrugation, or waves in the pavement.
  4. Flushing.
  5. Ruts in the wheel path.
  6. And More!

If you notice one (or several) of the above issues, contact your local, Baltimore pavement repair contractor as soon as possible. Allowing minor blemishes to worsen will both increase costs and lower the aesthetic appeal (curb appeal) of your facility. This is why timely repairs are so important.

  1. Crack Sealing: Crack sealing will help prevent water from entering the subsurface through cracks. It is that simple. Addressing small cracks now is the best way to prevent large problems later.
  2. Cut and Patch: When damage cannot be corrected with simple crack sealing, spot repairs may be the next step. This involves removing a portion of the pavement surface and repaving that section. This technique is ideal for areas comprising less than 15% of the total pavement surface.
  3. Overlay: An overlay is when a new pavement surface is paved over the existing surface. If cracks are present in the existing surface, a crack retardant fabric is placed between the old and new pavement to ensure the cracks do not prevent themselves in the freshly paved surface.
  4. Repaving: If the entire parking lot surface (or more than 15%) requires repair, you should strongly consider replacing the pavement surface.

Preventative Maintenance

A well-planned preventative maintenance program can help extend the life of your pavement and help reduce maintenance and repair costs. Ca-ching! Even if you do not notice any visible signs of damage (luck you), that does not mean your pavement is a-okay. Over time, sun, rain, and wind age your pavement, making it more brittle and prone to damage. Fortunately there are several ways for you to fight back!

  1. Sealcoating your asphalt parking lot carries many advantages—it makes your lot more weatherproof, nicer to look at, and—in the long run—less expensive to maintain.
  2. Of course, one of the best preventative maintenance measures you can take is proper installation. That is why you should trust all of your pavement projects to a professional pavement contractor, like PTG Enterprises.

Pavement Repair Services in Baltimore

PTG Enterprises is a full service commercial pavement contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area. We have been in the paving business for more than a decade, paving thousands of miles of asphalt lots and concrete surfaces. Our crews work quickly and professionally.

Pavement Repair Baltimore

If you have any questions about Pavement Repair, 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!

Retaining Wall Repair in Baltimore

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Traditionally, retaining walls are used to retain lateral pressure of soil. In layman’s terms, these walls hold back soil and substrate from moving due to the effects of gravity and erosion. But this is just one of the many uses for retaining walls.

Retaining Wall Repair Baltimore

Why did you have your retaining wall built?

Perhaps you wanted to reduce landscape maintenance around your apartment complex. Perhaps you wanted to flatten an extreme slope on your property. Perhaps you wanted to prevent erosion on the hill behind your business. Or perhaps you used the retaining wall as an aesthetically pleasing way to disguise an eyesore.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter why you had your retaining wall built. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain; retaining wall repair is in your future. Over time, even the best made retaining wall will begin to show its age. When this happens, it is important to repair any issues to help maintain the integrity of the wall.

Warning Signs of Retaining Wall Failure

The three primary signs of retaining wall failure are:

  1. Tilting: If your retaining wall is starting to lean, you should too. Lean right over, pick up your phone, and call for help. There are several factors that could be causing your retaining wall to collapse. But the only thing that matters is acting fast before the wall fails completely.
  2. Separating: If you notice your retaining wall separating from adjacent walls, separate yourself from your couch and go call for help. Separating is typically a sign of poor construction.
  3. Crumbling: If you see your retaining wall crumbling, don’t crumble yourself. Just pick up the phone and call PTG Enterprises.

Retaining Wall Repair in Baltimore

At PTG Enterprises, we’re experts at masonry jobs and know how to handle your crumbling retaining wall. . Our professional crews regularly rebuild retaining walls that are broken or weakened by hydrostatic pressure, normal wear, and erosion.

We really know how to “hit the bricks”

Don’t let deteriorating or damaged masonry impact the look and function of your property. PTG is here to help!

If you have any questions about Retaining Wall Repair or if you are looking for an masonry contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Source: Why You Should Hire A Professional to Build Your Retaining Wall

Hiring the Right Pavement Contractor in Baltimore

Friday, May 9th, 2014

You look out front of your business one day and notice crack in the asphalt parking lot. You think nothing of it and go back to work. A few weeks later, the crack looks bigger, but it is probably just your imagination. Then winter hits and the freeze-thaw cycle begins. Before you know it, the snow clears, the flowers start to bloom, and that once small crack has transformed into a maze of cracks or even worse, a pothole.

Pavement Contractor Baltimore

You need to find a top-notch pavement contractor and you need him now. How hard could it possibly be to find one in Baltimore? So you head to Google and enter “Pavement contractor in Baltimore” into the search. 3,200,000 results! Whoa! How are you expected to weed through all of the possible candidates?

Hiring the Right Pavement Contractor in Baltimore

Finding a good pavement contractor is a process.

  1. Start clicking links and looking at each company’s website. If they don’t care about their own company and its image, why would they care about you?
  2. Is the company active in social media? This shows dedication to customer service. If a pavement contractor takes the time to interact with customers on Facebook and Twitter, you can expect them to place a strong emphasis on customer service.
  3. Is the company licensed and insured? If a company does not have the proper licenses, they probably do not have the proper insurance either. This could put your business at risk. Just imagine what happens if something goes wrong on your property and your contractor isn’t insured. Guess who will probably be held financially liable? You!
  4. What type of materials does the company use? Poor quality asphalt will lead to a poor quality parking lot.
  5. Does the company stand behind their work? Do they provide you with any type of warranty?
  6. Is the company willing to provide references? Most good pavement contractors are. And the only way to truly learn about a company is to talk to previous clients. While most paving contractors can promise you a beautiful, professional job, it is important to ask for references and testimonials, as well as photographs of completed work.

PTG Enterprises, a Baltimore Pavement Contractor

The asphalt paving experts at PTG have managed hundreds of Baltimore, Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need. You can expect a fair proposal, professionalism, and quality work. A good contractor is hard to find!

If you have any questions about Hiring the Right Pavement Contractor in Baltimore, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also follow PTG Enterprises on Facebook and Twitter!

Concrete Repair in and around Baltimore

Friday, April 18th, 2014

A little concrete repair can go a long way!

We may sound like a broken record, but businesses all over Baltimore are suffering the consequences from this past winter! The snow, ice, and freezing temperatures took their toll on parking lots, sidewalks, handicap ramps, and so much more. And this past winter was particularly snowy, icy, and cold.

The Freeze-Thaw Cycle

The freeze-thaw cycle is exactly what it sounds like. When water penetrates concrete cracks in the winter, it freezes and expands, widening cracks, before thawing. And during a harsh winter like the one we just had, this freeze-thaw cycle happens numerous times, degrading your concrete surface from the inside out. The Result: Premature pavement failure. The Solution: Concrete repair.

Of course, concrete damage is not restricted to the freeze-thaw cycle.

Snow Plows and Concrete Damage

Sometimes even something as helpful as a snow plow can cause problems for business owners. This is because snow plow operators can’t always see what lies beneath that blanket of shimmering snow. As a result, snow plows are notorious for hitting and damaging curbs, speed bumps, wheel stops, and signage.

The Solution: Concrete repair.

Concrete Repair

Concrete is an incredibly durable material, which is why it is used for sidewalks, curbs, dumpster pads, and similar structures. In addition to its strength, this material holds up well to the elements. Still, concrete is not indestructible, especially when water penetrates deep below the surface. And when concrete cracks, it not only detracts from the overall look of your property, it can become a safety hazard. This is why timely, professional concrete repair is so important.

Concrete Repair Baltimore

  1. Crack repairs: When concrete cracks there are several ways to address the problem.
  2. Caulking During new construction, expansion joints are installed to allow shifting and movement of the concrete. Over time, the fill material rots and needs to be caulked. This helps prevent water intrusion.
  3. Trip Fall Hazards: As sidewalks settle or the ground beneath shirts, it sometimes creates what is known as trip and fall hazards.

The good news is that PTG Enterprises can handle it all!

Concrete Repair in and around Baltimore

At PTG, we are experts when it comes to commercial concrete jobs. Our crews are extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving. When we first come out and assess the damage, our knowledgeable estimators will present options to address the symptoms as well as the underlining problems.

If you have any questions about Concrete Repair in Baltimore, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also follow PTG Enterprises on Facebook and Twitter!

Sealcoating 101: Sealed vs. Unsealed Asphalt in Baltimore

Friday, April 11th, 2014

Still on the fence about sealcoating your asphalt? Let’s compare the merits of sealed and unsealed lots.

Weather

It’s now April and getting warm and sunny, but who could forget that winter? Here in Baltimore, it snowed ridiculous amounts and remained cold for weeks. The cold and lingering ice probably did a number on your parking lot. Without sealcoating, the weather erodes the binder in asphalt, resulting in a surface vulnerable to potholes and pitting. The result is unattractive and possibly even damaging to customers’ vehicles as they visit your business.

But not if you’ve recently treated your lot with sealcoating. Even through the last unusually harsh Baltimore winter, sealcoating made certain lots continue to look and feel new. Now that it’s spring, take a look. What’s the difference between a sealed and unsealed lot? The sealed one is clean, uniform and free from potholes and other damage. It doesn’t have patches, which are a band-aid solution resulting in more rough surface.

During the winter, sealcoating offers other advantages. How many times did you pull into a snow-and-ice-filled Baltimore lot this winter, and shuffle carefully into the business, hoping not to slip?

With sealcoating, this is less of a problem. Snow and ice melt more quickly on sealed asphalt than on unsealed asphalt.

Aesthetics

Harsh winter or not, sealcoating simply makes a parking lot look better.

When you visit a business in Baltimore, what’s the first thing you do? In many cases, it’s stepping out of your car into the parking lot.

You probably don’t get down on your knees and inspect the lot, but you do notice—consciously or subconsciously—its condition. This may be the first impression that you have of a business.

An unsealed lot can look worn-out and neglected, possibly reflecting badly on a business owner.

If you’re a Baltimore business owner, you want that crucial first impression to be favorable. A well-maintained parking lot, treated with sealcoating from SealMaster®, will give your customers an impression of professionalism as they take their first steps on your property.

Sealcoating Baltimore

Money

Yes, you have to spend a little money to treat your lot with sealcoating. But you’ll save it in the long run. If you coat your lot every four years, you’ll of course spend more money—in the short term—than the business owner who doesn’t. But after a dozen years or so, he’ll have to re-asphalt his entire lot, a much more costly undertaking. Yours will still stand out as one of the newest in Baltimore, even when it’s years old.

The Verdict

Sealcoating your asphalt carries many advantages—it makes your lot more weatherproof, nicer to look at, and—in the long run—less expensive to maintain. More questions? Give PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy a call about sealcoating in and around Baltimore. Call us at 410-636-8777 or click here today! You can also follow PTG Enterprises on Facebook and Twitter!