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Posts Tagged ‘Concrete’
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” — Henry Ford
PTG Enterprises has been in the asphalt paving, concrete, and masonry business since 1996. Over the years, PTG has thrived, preparing thousands of Pavement Condition Inspections, paving thousands of miles of asphalt lots, and managing countless projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
The secret to great looking pavement is simple: proper construction, continued maintenance, and timely re-construction. The secret to a great asphalt and concrete contractor is even simpler: Continued Education. (more…)
Tags: asphalt, Concrete, Continued Education, Contractor
Posted in Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Maryland Concrete Contractor | Comments Off on An Asphalt and Concrete Contractor That Believes in Continued Education
Friday, March 6th, 2015
Memorial Day: a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer. The sun is shining, the weather is warm, and pools all across Maryland will be opened for the season. Are you ready? More importantly, is your pool ready? Monday, May 25 isn’t too far away. (more…)
Tags: Concrete, maryland, Pool Deck Repair
Posted in Pool Deck Repair Baltimore | Comments Off on Concrete Pool Deck Repair throughout Maryland
Friday, January 16th, 2015
You see salt boxes on many street corners in snowy weather, but using chemicals on concrete is actually damaging to asphalt and concrete. Protect your storefront or businesses curb appeal by not using the following De-Icing Chemicals to melt snow or ice in the winter.
- Sodium chloride or rock salt (NaCL)
- NaCL with MgCl2 and OBPE
- NaCL with Magic-O – a proprietaryblend of OBPE and 30% MgCl2
Why not? Using these types of de-icing chemicals (among others not listed) can cause cracking in your pavement and chemically alter the aggregate that you paid for to put in. “No de-icing chemicals are safe,” explains Patrick Gillen III, owner of PTG Enterprises.
Highways across the United States contain about fifteen million tons of road salt each winter. While this provides traction on the road for our cars and pathways to walk, it puts more strain on economic factors. Even road salt that seems innocuous can be destructive to plant life underneath. Forget bringing your pets around the block to do their duty. Chemicals on the ground can hurt animals as well. Think again about accepting your dog’s warm, wet puppy kisses after a walk if he licked anything. You could get sick from ingesting these chemicals as well.
We agree that de-icing is necessary in some areas, so business can continue as usual. There are alternatives to melting snow besides chemicals. For example, Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), sand, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium chloride, and beet solution are eco-friendly ways to reduce the amount of ice on the concrete.
Using sand or the other materials mentioned above is more cost-effective and safer for the environment. You will still be able to clear the lot for driving customers and make it safer for all living beings involved. To find out how else you can protect your pavement this winter season, contact PTG Enterprises.
PTG Enterprises is a commercial concrete contractor in the Baltimore area. Our crews are extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving, so you know the job will look professional and last for years to come. Give us a call and let us help protect your pavement from Mother Nature.
If you have any questions about de-icing chemicals, please contact PTG Enterprises today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
Tags: asphalt, Concrete, De-Icing Chemicals
Posted in Asphalt Cleaning Tips | Comments Off on The Effects of De-Icing Chemicals on Asphalt and Concrete
Friday, August 29th, 2014
Sidewalks, 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.
- 2,500 PSI: At this strength, concrete is best suited for sidewalks, driveways, and graded floor slabs.
- 3,000 PSI: In many locations, 3,000 PSI is the standard strength for construction.
- 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.
- 4,000 PSI: This is where we start talking about roadways and heavy-use floor slabs.
- 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!
Tags: Baltimore, Concrete
Posted in Concrete Contractor in Baltimore | 1 Comment »
Friday, 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
- Concrete roads are incredibly durable and, because of this, have a long life expectancy (40+ years).
- Concrete roads tend to require fewer repairs. These roads are not easily damaged by leaking oils or extreme weather.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- Support: Unlike asphalt, concrete requires a support structure, typically rebar formed into a grid pattern.
- Workability: In order to prevent the concrete from hardening during transportation, it must be kept in constant motion. Hence, cement mixers.
- 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.
- Finishing: The surface must be smoothed to ensure proper texture.
- 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.
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!
Tags: Concrete, maryland, Road Construction
Posted in Concrete Contractor in Baltimore | Comments Off on Concrete Road Construction in Maryland
Thursday, 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.
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!
Tags: Cement, Concrete
Posted in Concrete Contractor in Baltimore | 1 Comment »
Friday, June 6th, 2014
When it comes to pavement projects, there is an ongoing debate to which material is better to use; concrete or asphalt. To make the best decision for your project, ask yourself a few questions and then research to see which option would be best for you. Things to consider include:
1. Restrictions of material
2. Cost
3. Maintenance
4. Aesthetics
5. Climate
Asphalt
Let’s look at asphalt more closely. Asphalt typically lasts from 15 to 18 years, depending on maintenance and outstanding conditions. Asphalt tends to soften in high temperatures; however repairs can be made easily. As far as maintenance, asphalt needs resealing every 3 years minimum. Asphalt comes in mainly black and doesn’t have any finishing options with it, making customizing its look difficult. Asphalt can become damaged by oil and grease that drips onto the surface. Constant exposure to sunlight and moisture, such as rain, can cause asphalt to break down and eventually crack or ripple. Based on square feet, asphalt tends to be a little cheaper than concrete to install.
Concrete
Now to give concrete some face time. When concrete is laid correctly, it has a life of about 30 to 40 years. It is considered more durable than asphalt overall, but can still crack when exposed to cold temperatures. Repairs to concrete are difficult to make, but do not to be made very often. Concrete can come in a number of different colors and has various finishing options. If substances such as grease or oil should come in contact with concrete, simply rinse them off with no damage done. Based on square feet, concrete can be a tad more expensive to install than asphalt depending on how large of an area you are paving.
PTG Enterprises
When it comes time to making the decision, there is never a black and white answer when faced with either concrete or asphalt. Let the specialists at PTG Enterprises help you make the decision for your paving project. We are trained in handling both materials and will be able to aid in the decision making based on the parameters of your project.
If you have any questions about Concrete vs. Asphalt, 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!
Tags: asphalt, Concrete, pavement, PTG Enterprises
Posted in General Asphalt Advice, Pavement Maintenance | Comments Off on Concrete vs. Asphalt
Friday, March 7th, 2014
As a property manager or business owner, you have a legal responsibility to keep your property safe for your tenants, employees, or customers. In the winter, this means keeping your sidewalks free of snow and ice. Aside from shoveling, many property managers turn to rock salt and other de-icing chemicals, including
- Sodium chloride or rock salt (NaCL)
- Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)
- Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) andorganic-based performance enhancer (OBPE)
- NaCL with MgCl2 and OBPE
- NaCL with Magic-O – a proprietaryblend of OBPE and 30% MgCl2
- Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and OBPE
- NaCL until 15° F degrees, then NaCL with CaCl2 until 5° F degrees, thenNaCL with sand
What are the Best De-Icing Chemicals for Concrete? None!
“No de-icing chemicals are safe,” explains Patrick Gillen III, owner of PTG Enterprises, a Baltimore concrete contractor.
According to a 2002 federal government funded study, “The Deleterious Effects of Concentrated Deicing Solutions on Portland Cement Concrete,” there is significant evidence that de-icing chemicals chemically interact with concrete, resulting is cracking, strength loss, and eventually pavement failure. It doesn’t matter if you use sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium acetate, or another product, each has been scientifically proven to damage concrete pavement. There is no good de-icing chemical to use on your concrete. Period. End of story.
Concrete is a durable material that’s excellent for sidewalks, curbs, dumpster pads, and similar structures. In addition to its strength, this material holds up well to the elements. However, certain chemicals, like de-icing chemicals, can wreak havoc on your concrete. When concrete becomes cracked and broken, it not only detracts from the overall look of a property, it can become a safety hazard, requiring immediate attention.
Concrete Repair from PTG Enterprises
PTG Enterprises are experts with commercial concrete jobs. We work closely with you to ensure the details of the project are fully understood, and that timetables are met. Our crews are extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving, so you know the job will look professional and last for years to come.
If you have any questions about the effects of De-Icing Chemicals on Concrete or if you are in need of Concrete Repair, 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!
Tags: Concrete, De-Icing Chemicals
Posted in Concrete Contractor in Baltimore | Comments Off on What are the Best De-Icing Chemicals for Concrete? None!
Friday, November 18th, 2011
Potholes and uneven pavement are not just eyesores on your otherwise immaculate asphalt; they are liabilities. These pavement problems can cause pedestrian accidents, motorcycle and bicycle crashes, and injuries. And guess who is liable for these injuries? YOU, as the property owner, will be held liable for any and all injuries sustained as a result of your improperly maintained pavement.
So protect yourself and others by fixing potholes and uneven pavement surfaces quickly. Here’s how…
Potholes: Potholes are generally caused by failures in the base surface. Because of this, the old asphalt and base must be removed. Then a new base and a new layer of compacted asphalt can be added.
Asphalt patching is the best long-term solution, but filling the pothole with cold-patch asphalt can work in the short term.
Sunken Concrete Panels: This signals that the base course has weakened and needs to be replaced. The old materials need to be stripped and replaced with new, compacted layers of base course and concrete.
Short-term fix: The concrete slabs that are not sunken in can be grinded down until the surface is flush. Since this does not address the cause of the problem, it is only a temporary fix.
Lifted Asphalt and Concrete Panels: This is most likely the result of an intruding tree root under the pavement. To fix this you must remove the pavement, remove the tree root and then repave the surface.
Short-term fix: Grind down the surface.
Of course, if you would rather leave all of this to the professionals, we are here to help. So contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!
I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope. Give me the opportunity to impress you.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
Asphalt and Uneven Pavement Surfaces are a Liability
Tags: Asphalt and Uneven Pavement Surfaces are a Liability, Asphalt patching, base course, Concrete, concrete slabs, eyesores, failures in the base surface, filling the pothole with cold-patch asphalt, fixing potholes and uneven pavement surfaces, held liable for any and all injuries, How to Fix Potholes and Uneven Pavement Problems, immaculate asphalt, improperly maintained pavement, injuries, intruding tree root, liabilities, Lifted Asphalt and Concrete Panels, long-term solution, motorcycle and bicycle crashes, My Pavement Guy, new layer of compacted asphalt, old asphalt, pavement, pavement problems, pavement project, pedestrian accidents, Potholes, Professionals, property owner, PTG Enterprises, remove the pavement, repave the surface, Short-term fix, Sunken Concrete Panels, Temporary fix
Posted in Asphalt Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance | Comments Off on How to Fix Potholes and Uneven Pavement Problems
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
Unfortunately, even the best pavement is not indestructible. Heavy traffic usage and weather changes, along with several other outside factors, can lead to pavement distress, which is noticeable physical damage on roads or sidewalks. If not dealt with quickly, pavement distress can lead to more serious problems, all of which can significantly shorten the lifespan of your pavement.
But how can you spot pavement distress in time? This article from eHow.com explains how you can quickly identify pavement distress.
1. Assess cracks on the surface of the pavement. Alligator cracking appears as a network of cracks, forming a pattern somewhat like the skin of an alligator or wonky squares. As the U.S. Department of Transportation outlines in its “Pavement Distress Identification Manual for the NPS Road Inventory Program, 2006 -2009,” the severity of the distress can be measured. It is considered low when the width of the crack is less than 1/4 inch in width. However, the alligator distress is serious when the cracks are more than 3/4 inch wide.
2. Check the pavement’s surface for long strips of cracking. These are ruts that run either along the length of the pavement or sideways across the surface. In places where the cracks are more than 3/4 inch in width, the distress is considered serious and can buckle the pavement, causing bumps. Hot weather can cause this type of pavement distress.
3. Identify gouged-out areas or dips on the surface of the road. Pavement distress is characterised by potholes. These are concave holes on the surface, which are a nuisance for drivers. The holes can cause punctures in tires, gather water and lead to further cracking.
4. Look for dark square or rectangular patches of asphalt on the pavement. Distress can be identified by finding discolored areas where potholes or previous distress marks have been filled or covered over. The replacement asphalt causes a dark patch to be seen. Cracking, ruts or potholes can often be seen in proximity to the patching, which is indicative of pavement distress.
5. Crouch down and look across the surface of the pavement. Identify two lines of depressions in the road’s surface. If these are in the direction of the wheel paths, this distress is called rutting. Rutting occurs when continuous use of the pavement by heavy vehicles causes the surface to sink. It is classified as severe when the depressions are greater than 1 inch below the surface of the pavement.
Once you have identified pavement distress, it is time to repair the damage. There are several products available that allow you to do the job yourself, but if you want to ensure your pavement is properly fixed, it is probably best to call a professional.
If you have any questions or if you would rather leave the repair work to the professionals, contact PTG Enterprises by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Tags: Alligator cracking, Anchor tenant, asphalt, Asphalt cracks, Asphalt installation, Asphalt Maintenance, asphalt maryland, Asphalt repair, Bid, Bidding a Pavement Project, Board Member, Budget, Building Owner, Business, Cement mix, certificate of insurance, Client, Concrete, Concrete Crack, Concrete cracking, Concrete Cracks, Concrete repair, Concrete repair Maryland, Contractor, Contractors License, Cost, crack fill, Crack in Concrete, Crack in pavement, Crack in Sidewalk, Cracking, Cracking Concrete, Cracking in sidewalk, Cracking Pavement, Cracks in Concrete, Cracks in Pavement, Cracks in Sidewalk, Do not pay full cost in advance, fill cracks, Fix, Fixing, Get it in writing, Hiring a Contractor, How to fix, How to Identify Pavement Distress, Identification, Industry, Job, Knowledge, Lot, Maintenance, Meeting, My Pavement Guy, Parking lot, pavement, Pavement Contractor, Pavement crack, Pavement Cracking, Pavement cracks, Pavement installation, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement Maryland, Pavement repair Maryland, Pavements Cracks, Pothole, Potholes, Pre-bid, Preventative maintenance, PTG Enterprises, Re-striping, re-striping asphalt, re-striping pavement, References, Repair, Repairing Lifted Concrete, Repairs, request for proposal, reverse bidding, RFP, Sealcoating, Sidewalk crack, Sidewalk Cracking, Sidewalk Cracks, Sigsn, Understanding, warranty, Wheel Stops, Work, Yards
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on How to Identify Pavement Distress
