Blog
Posts Tagged ‘driveway’
Friday, September 1st, 2017
Start your fall driveway maintenance now to prepare for the colder weather coming.
Maryland’s autumn season brings cold weather along with snow, ice, and other seasonal hazards, and it can be difficult to maintain your driveway during the colder months. But driveway maintenance is important if you want to protect the cement or asphalt and maintain your home’s attractive curb appeal. And of course, driveway’s can be a safety issue during fall and it’s important to avoid the risks of slipping on ice or snow, both inside or outside the car.
(more…)
Tags: asphalt, Cement, driveway, fall maintenance
Posted in Maintenance Tips | Comments Off on Your Autumn Driveway Checklist
Friday, January 11th, 2013
When it comes to your concrete, whether it is a driveway, sidewalk, or parking lot, it will eventually crack. That is just life. Even the best concrete cracks eventually. The key to concrete longevity is to address these cracks as they happen…before they get out of control.
Remember the old adage, “a stitch in time saves nine?” Well, the same holds true for concrete. Addressing a small crack when it happens is much easier and much more cost-effective than trying to fix larger or multiple cracks.
When your concrete pavement begins to show signs of wear and tear, you need the help of an expert. So call the concrete experts at PTG Enterprises before that small crack becomes a major issue. Our crews are the best available and they use only the best materials and equipment around.
Concrete Cracking FAQs
- What Causes Concrete Cracking? Well, there is no one answer. Cracking is typically the result of several factors, including drying shrinkage, thermal contraction, restraint (external or internal) to shortening, subgrade settlement, and applied loads.
- Can Concrete Cracking be prevented? Yes and no. With proper concrete maintenance, concrete longevity can be increased, but eventually all concretes will crack.
- All Concrete Contractors are the same, right? No! Just as in any profession, there are good and bad concrete contractors. And if you choose a bad contractor, your concrete could fail quicker than normal. Improper installation is one of the number one causes of concrete failure.
Do yourself a favor and call PTG Enterprises for all of your concrete needs, both installation and repair. 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 further questions, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Baltimore Concrete Contractor, commercial concrete, Concrete Contractors, Concrete cracking, concrete failure, concrete pavement, concrete paving, driveway, Parking lot, PTG Enterprises, sidewalk, What Causes Concrete Cracking
Posted in Commercial Paving Services, Maintenance Tips, Maryland Concrete Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News | Comments Off on Concrete Cracking: Is it time to call your Baltimore Concrete Contractor?
Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
Have you noticed white or rust colored stains on your newly sealed parking lot or driveway? Before you go chastising your pavement professional, you should get the facts.
This article from AsphaltAdvisor.com can help. It outlines some of the main, natural culprits behind these sealcoat stains.
It is common to see white and rust colored stains on freshly sealed asphalt. This is not some defect in the sealer or caused by an error during sealing, but actually comes from a natural compound found in water, gravel and dirt.
- Mineral Salts can dry on the surface as a result of water run-off. They can also be pumped up through soil and gravel to the asphalt surface. White residue will often show up where there are cracks.
- Calcium Carbonate is also common in soil and gravel and can leave a white residue.
- Rusty red orange and brown are other common colors of residue left from rusty cars and plant byproducts.
Stains can happen at anytime, but are simply more noticeable on freshly sealed asphalt, due to the contrast. Don’t fret; these stains will naturally wash away with time.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: Calcium Carbonate, colored stains, driveway, freshly sealed, Freshly Sealed Asphalt, mineral salts, My Pavement Guy, newly sealed, newly sealed parking lot, Parking lot, pavement, pavement professional, plant byproducts, PTG Enterprises, rust colored stains, Rusty cars, sealcoat, sealcoat stains, Sealed Asphalt, sealed parking lot, Sealer, Sealing, stain, stains, White Stains, White Stains on Freshly Sealed Asphalt
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on White Stains on Freshly Sealed Asphalt
Thursday, August 11th, 2011
Is your driveway in rough shape? Will repairs do the trick? Does it need to be resurfaced? Should you have it redone professionally? These are all questions that homeowners ask themselves when faced with a dilapidated driveway. Ultimately the best thing to do is the contact a professional like My Pavement Guy, but there are some things you can consider on your own.
According to this article on EzineArticles there are some important things to think about before consulting your contractor:
Maintenance is good medicine, but it’s not foolproof
Asphalt driveways don’t remain smooth and black forever. You can take steps to maintain your driveway by sealing and protecting it, but often the effects of heat, ultra-violet rays, and substances such as salt, oil, gas and grease take their toll. And if those don’t get you, then cracking and water penetration eventually will.
Your driveway may be corroded, worn out, or have cracks, which could all warrant a resurfacing job if the condition is severe enough. As a general guide, if repairs are needed on more than 25 percent of the surface, it is more cost-effective to do a hot mix asphalt resurfacing job over the entire driveway.
Say no to cracks!
Asphalt pavement is hard and brittle, and as a result, cracks will develop over time. Ranging from hairline to an inch wide or more, cracks are your driveway’s worst enemy because they let water in. In colder climates, freeze-thaw cycles can be very destructive, and can wreak havoc on your driveway if water penetrates the cracks, then expands as it turns to ice. And even in warmer climates, water penetration can cause serious damage. The larger the crack, the more serious the problem, and the sooner it needs to be fixed. Cracks that are left un-repaired will lead to serious deterioration of the pavement and even to the base layers, requiring complete replacement of the driveway – sooner rather than later in colder climates.
Can it be fixed or do you need a new driveway?
Whether you’ll need to rip out your existing driveway and install a new one, or if you can get away with resurfacing – or even some patchwork and crack-filling – depends largely on the condition of the base layers, or foundation. However, if cracking covers 3/4 of the driveway, the surface is too far gone to repair. The root of the problems may come from lower down, and a complete overhaul should be considered.
If your driveway has been resurfaced several times with hot mix asphalt and keeps deteriorating prematurely, it is likely a problem with the foundation, and you should consider installing a whole new driveway. Likewise, if there are areas that have depressions or mounds, they should be completely reconstructed from the base. If you have several of these areas, a new driveway might make sense.
For any of your asphalt needs or if you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: asphalt, Asphalt cracks, Asphalt driveway, Asphalt installation, Asphalt Maintenance, asphalt maryland, Asphalt Pavement, Asphalt repair, Cost, distress, driveway, driveway repair, expand, fill cracks, liquid asphalt, Maintenance, maryland, My Pavement Guy, pave, pavement, Pavement cracks, Pavement installation, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement Maryland, pavement repair, paving, paving contractor, paving maryland, paving project, Preventative maintenance, PTG Enterprises, re-striping pavement, repave, repaving
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on How to Repair Your Old Asphalt Driveway
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Even the most durable paved surfaces, like asphalt pavement, are susceptible to deterioration, distress, and cracking. However, knowing what causes these problems can help you prolong the life of your asphalt. This article from PaveManPro.com can help. It outlines the major causes of pavement deterioration.
Overtime, the materials that make up asphalt begin to break down and become more easily affected by the elements: rain, sunlight, snow, etc. Furthermore, the liquid binder that holds the asphalt together begins to lose its natural resistance to water, allowing liquid to seep into the pavement. Once this happens, the surface can quickly be affected.
Yet, while pavement will naturally breakdown over time, there are a few outside factors – poor construction or human error – that may speed up this process, causing premature deterioration.
The factors leading to asphalt deterioration include:
• Insufficient or improperly compacted base below the asphalt
• Over or under compaction of asphalt
• Improper temperature of asphalt when applied
• Poor drainage
• Water – over time and especially without proper maintenance water penetrates the asphalt, washes out the base underneath it, causing it to crack, break down and collapse.
• Sunlight – Oxidation breaks down and dries out the once flexible liquid asphalt that holds the aggregate together. This causes raveling and shrinking cracks, which allow water to penetrate beneath the surface.
• Chemical/ petroleum exposure – the introduction of chemicals to asphalt, including gas and oil, can soften the asphalt and cause it to break down more rapidly.
When asphalt pavement is constructed and maintained properly it wears out slowly and can last up to 25 years or more. Proper maintenance is key to protecting it from the external factors that wear it out.
If you notice your driveway, parking lot, or any pavement displaying any signs of deterioration, it is probably time to call a professional to patch your asphalt and prevent further damage. 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.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: affected by the elements, aggregate t, asphalt, Asphalt Pavement, break down a, Causes, Chemical, Cracking, Cracks, Damage, deterioration, distress, driveway, Durable, external factors, factors, flexible liquid asphalt, human error, Improper temperature of asphalt, improperly compacted base, Insuffieciently compacted base, liquid binder, maintained properly, Maintenance, Major causes, major causes of pavement deterioration, Materials, materials that make up asphalt, My Pavement Guy, Over compaction of asphalt, Oxidation, Parking lot, patch your asphalt, patching, Paved, paved surfaces, pavement, pavement deterioration, pavement will naturally breakdown over time, Petroleum Exposure, poor construction, Poor drainage, premature deterioration, Prevent further damage, Problems, Professional, proper maintenance, PTG Enterprises, Rain, Raveling, Re-paving, resistance to water, Road, Shrinking cracks, signs of deterioration, Snow, sunlight, The Deterioration of Asphalt Pavement and its Causes, under compaction of asphalt, Water, what causes these problems
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on The Deterioration of Asphalt Pavement and its Causes
Friday, June 24th, 2011
It’s a hole in the road. How hard can it be to fill a hole, right? Well, you might be surprised. Pothole repair is tough work and requires a trained crew and some specialty equipment. This article from PaveManPro.com explains the lengthy repair process.
How to repair a pothole:
1. With a pavement saw or pneumatic hammer, cut the outline of the patch, extending at least 0.3 m (I ft.) outside of the distressed area. The outline should be square or rectangular with two of the sides at right angles to the direction of traffic.
2. Excavate as much pavement as necessary to reach firm support. If a patch is to be an integral part of the pavement, its foundation must be as strong or stronger than that of the original roadway. This may mean that some of the sub-grade will also have to be removed. The faces of the excavation should be straight and vertical.
3. Trim and compact the sub-grade.
4. Apply a tack coat to the vertical faces of the excavation.
5. Backfill with the asphalt mixture. Using a shovel or skid steer loader place the mixture directly from the truck into the prepared excavation. The maximum lift thickness largely depends upon the type of asphalt mixture and the available compaction equipment. Asphalt concrete can and should be placed in deep lifts, since the greater heat retention of the thicker layers facilitates compaction. From a compaction standpoint, patches using asphalt concrete can be backfilled in one lift. However, when placing a patch that is deeper than 3 cm (5 in.) it is often useful to leave the first lift 2.5 to 5 cm (I to 2 in.) below the finished grade, making it easier to judge the total quantity of mixture required for the patch.
On the other hand, patches constructed with mixtures containing emulsified or cutback asphalt must be placed in layers thin enough to permit evaporation of the diluents that make the mixture workable.
6. Spread carefully to avoid segregation of the mixture. Avoid pulling the material from the center of the patch to the edges. If more material is needed at the edge, it should be deposited there, and the excess raked away. The amount of mixture used should be sufficient to ensure that the after compaction the patch surface will not be below that of the adjacent pavement. On the other hand, if too much material is used a hump will raise.
7. Compact each lift of the patch thoroughly. Use equipment that is suited for the size of the job. A vibratory plate compactor is excellent for small jobs, while a vibratory roller is likely to be more effective for larger areas. When compacting the final lift (which may be the only lift), overlap the first pass and return of the vibratory roller or plate compactor to no more than 5 cm (6 in.) on to the patch on one side. Then move to the opposite side and repeat the process. Once this is accomplished, proceed at right angles to the compacted edges, with each pass and return overlapping a few inches on to the uncompacted mix. If there is a grade, compaction should proceed from the low side to the high side to minimize possible shoving of the mix.
8. When adequate compaction equipment is used, the surface of the patch should be at the same elevation as the surrounding pavement. However, if hand tamping or other light compaction methods are used, the surface of the completed patch should be slightly higher than the adjacent pavement, since the patch is likely to be further compressed by traffic.
9. Check the vertical alignment and smoothness of the patch with a straightedge or string line.
So next time you complain about that pothole down the street not getting fixed or next time you think to yourself, “hey, I could do that in half the time,” remember that pothole repair is not a quick fix. Properly patching a pothole takes time, know-how, and a lot of energy.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: asphalt, Asphalt cracks, Asphalt driveway, Asphalt installation, Asphalt Maintenance, asphalt maryland, Asphalt repair, Asphalt repair Maryland, Bidding a Pavement Project, Contractor, crack fill, Cracking, distress, driveway, driveway pothole, driveway repair, driveway repair Maryland, failure, fill cracks, FUll-depth patching, Hiring a Contractor, How can you quickly fix a pothole in your driveway?, How do potholes happen, Maintenance, maryland, My Pavement Guy, Parking lot, patching, pave, pavement, Pavement Contractor, Pavement cracks, Pavement installation, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement Maryland, pavement repair, paving, paving contractor, paving maryland, paving project, Permanent fix, Pothole, Pothole driveway, Pothole quick fix, Pothole repair Maryland, Potholes and Repair, Preventative maintenance, PTG Enterprises, quick fix, Re-striping, re-striping asphalt, re-striping pavement, Repair, repave, repaving, reverse bidding, RFP, Sealcoating, Sigsn, Temporary fix, trouble area, troubled area, Wheel Stops
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Pothole Repair: It’s a Bigger Job Than You May Think
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
It is so hard to find your father a descent present. After all, all you dad really wants for Father’s Day is some peace and quiet and a little relaxation. But how do you give him that?
In a recent poll done by Harris Interactive, 80% of fathers admitted they wanted gifts related to home improvement. So instead of buying dad another tie or some socks, get him something he really wants, a new driveway. Let your father relax as you have your driveway professionally re-paved.
And who better to do the work than PTG Enterprises, a company that has completed well over 2,000 driveway projects. They will deploy an entire team of professionals to quickly install your brand new driveway.
The paving machine, paired with an experienced operator and a trained crew, will make paving look easy – it’s not. Assuming fabric was not in the scope of work, than the paving team will have a man designated to either spray or spot apply tack coat material. Another ground personnel will be responsible for controlling the movement of trucks. It’s crucially important that the trucks stay in order and the next one up is always ready to go. The hotter the asphalt, the easier it is to work with, hence the longer a truck sits, the cooler the asphalt gets. The asphalt is dumped from the truck to the paver where two men control each side. One man is responsible to make sure the joint lines up with the previous paving pull and the other side is responsible for determining thickness, grade, pitch and fall. Accompanying the paver are usually two ground personnel known as “Lute men”. They take direction from the paving foreman and will spread / rake high and low spots out of areas that were just paved but need minor adjustments. Finally, there is the roller man. He is responsible for the compaction of the freshly laid asphalt. Usually this person will work the roller and also plate tampers and hand tampers in the tight areas where pavers cannot go.
So give your dad something he really wants this Father’s Day – a new, professionally installed driveway and some relaxation. If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: adjust, asphalt crack filler, Asphalt driveway, Asphalt installation, Asphalt Maintenance, asphalt maryland, Asphalt repair, Beautifying Your Driveway, breaking, Brick driveway, cheaper to maintain, cold winters, Concrete installation, Concrete Maryland, conform, contract, Cost, crack filler, Cracking, driveway, Driveway installation, Driveway maintenance, Driveway maintenance tips, driveway repair, driveway sealer, Driveway tips, Driveways, Ease of Repair, expand, Father's Day, Father's Day Celebration, Father's Day Gift, Father's Day Gift Idea, Father's Day Gift Ideas, Father's Day Ideas, Father's Day Present, Father's Day Present Ideas, Father's Day Surprise, Father's DayIdeas, fill cracks, Fill holes, Flexible Material, Flower bed, Flower beds, Gifts for Father's Day, heat, Home, hot summers, House, How To Maintain An Asphalt Driveway, Improving the look of your driveway, initially cheaper, Landscaping your driveway, less cracking, liquid asphalt emulsions, looking like new, maryland, move, My Pavement Guy, no-brainer, oil leaks, oils, Parking lot maintenance, pavement, Pavement installation, Presents for Father's Day, PTG Enterprises, reseal your driveway, Residence, rigid concrete, seal your driveway, sealant, settle, solid cold patch, specific requirements, squeegee, Stone driveway, sun, sway your opinion, tar mixed with fine gravel, The Benefits of an Asphalt Driveway, wear and tear, Weather Resistance, What to do for Father's Day
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on A Father’s Day Driveway
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
If you are going to put up the money to install a brand new driveway, or if you are just unhappy with the way your current driveway looks, why not try to add a few accents to make your driveway really standout? It is a lot easier than you may think. As this article from eHow.com explains, there are several ways you can turn that boring driveway into the perfect an eye-catching addition to any front yard.
- If you have a long driveway, make it curved instead of a straight line. Installing curves in the driveway to follow the natural contours of your yard can also soften the appearance.
- Place stone or brick edging along the edge of the driveway. This will add the perfect accent to your driveway.
- Install flower beds along the edge of the driveway. This forms a natural boundary between the driveway and the lawn, and planting flowers can brighten the driveway with an array of colors.
- Plant trees along the edge of the driveway. This works better for longer driveways because you have more space to plant trees. One drawback is that it will be years before the trees are fully grown, but once grown the trees provide a shaded canopy over the driveway. Anytime you plant trees near pavement, place them far enough from the pavement that the root system will not grow underneath the pavement and dislodge it.
- Install lighting along the driveway. While this doesn’t do anything to soften the appearance of the driveway during the day, it can provide dramatic effects at night. The lighting can be as simple as a post light near the end of the driveway or as complex as lights placed in trees along the driveway that cast their glow down onto the driveway. Another option is to place path lights along the edge of the driveway. Using many lights can provide a runway effect; using a few path lights spaced far apart can mark the edge of the driveway without making you feel like you’re landing a 737 in front of your house.
Now that you know what to do, you can go liven up your front yard. If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Tags: adjust, Asphalt driveway, Asphalt installation, asphalt maryland, Beautifying Your Driveway, breaking, Brick driveway, cheaper to maintain, cold winters, Concrete installation, Concrete Maryland, conform, contract, Cost, Cracking, driveway, Driveway installation, Driveway maintenance, Driveway maintenance tips, Driveway tips, Driveways, Ease of Repair, expand, Flexible Material, Flower bed, Flower beds, Home, hot summers, House, Improving the look of your driveway, initially cheaper, Landscaping your driveway, less cracking, liquid asphalt emulsions, maryland, move, My Pavement Guy, no-brainer, pavement, Pavement installation, PTG Enterprises, Residence, rigid concrete, settle, solid cold patch, Stone driveway, sway your opinion, tar mixed with fine gravel, The Benefits of an Asphalt Driveway, Weather Resistance
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Beautifying Your Driveway
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
How do potholes happen?
Potholes are severe manifestations of pavement fatigue cracking resulting in a total loss of asphalt integrity in a localized area. This creates a hole in the road. It is not uncommon to have a pothole extend through or into the aggregate stone base. Potholes occur when water seeps into cracks in the asphalt surface of a road or driveway. This water will freeze and expand in the cold weather. A pothole forms when dirt and gravel are forced out leaving a hole. The ice will eventually melt away, leaving a pothole.
How can you quickly fix a pothole in your driveway?
For a very wide crack or pothole, shovel in packaged cold-patch blacktop, leveling large areas with an iron rake. Compact the material with a rented tamper or the end of a 4-by-4. Add more material until the hole is slightly overfilled. Cover it with scrap plywood and drive over it.
If you are looking to fix a pothole on a commercial parking surface or if you want a top quality repair, it is probably best to call a professional.
In the winter, potholes should be temporarily filled with a cold-patch mix material to protect against vehicle damage and/or lawsuits. Please note that this is only a temporary fix and left untreated correctly the pothole will most likely reappear. In the spring and summer months, potholes should be permanently patched.
Full-Depth Patching is the most common type of patching. This is where the pavement is completely removed in the troubled area and replaced. These areas are usually suffering from severe distress and / or sub-base failure. This is a permanent fix.
For professional pothole repair, contact PTG Enterprises – My Pavement Guy by calling 443-463-1536 or click here today!
Tags: asphalt, Asphalt repair, Asphalt repair Maryland, distress, driveway, driveway pothole, driveway repair, driveway repair Maryland, failure, FUll-depth patching, How can you quickly fix a pothole in your driveway?, How do potholes happen, My Pavement Guy, patching, Permanent fix, Pothole, Pothole driveway, Pothole quick fix, Pothole repair Maryland, Potholes and Repair, PTG Enterprises, quick fix, Repair, Temporary fix, trouble area, troubled area
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Potholes and Repair
