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Posts Tagged ‘Parking lot’

Safe Snow Removal for Your Asphalt Parking Lot

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Although the weather is unseasonably warm for December, the odds are that it will not stay that way for very long. Winter is right around the corner. And in Maryland, that means one thing; snow is on the way.

While this is more than enough reason for school children to jump with joy, the thought of snow and thus snow removal is enough to give any business owner a headache. Not only is removing snow from your parking lot an expensive endeavor, it can also damage your asphalt, costing you even more money down the road!

Here are some things to keep in mind this winter:

1. Safety: Proper snow removal is not just recommended; it is required. The last thing you need is for a customer or client to slip and fall outside of your store/office, because you failed to properly clear the walkway and parking lot. If this happens, you could be held liable.

What’s worse, a snow removal bill or lawyer fees?

2. Quality: While you can try to tackle snow removal on your own, it is probably best to leave this job to the professionals. They have the knowledge and equipment to get the job done right. Plus, a professional plowing service is far less likely to damage your parking surface.

If damage still occurs to your asphalt parking lot, leaving it in desperate need of a little TLC, then contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement repair 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.

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The Importance of Parking Lot Striping and Re-Striping

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Like the cover of a book, the exterior of your building and your parking lot are what your customers base their first opinions on. I know, I know…don’t judge a book by its cover. Well, guess what? People still do. That is just the way it is. And you only get to make one first impression, so it is important to make it a good one. After all, who wants to lose business because their parking lot is a mess?

New paint, signs and wheel stops give your parking lot a “WOW” factor. Unfortunately, this wow factor doesn’t last forever.

Your parking lot striping wears away over time, which is why re-striping is the most common and routine type of asphalt maintenance. As soon as the paint is applied to your parking surface, it begins to deteriorate. This deterioration is sped up by such factors as severe weather, the amount of traffic coming in and out of the lot, and the thickness of the paint.

So how often should you re-stripe your parking lot?

Because of the deteriorating paint, the relatively low cost of re-striping, and the instant curb appeal it provides, it is recommended that you re-stripe your parking lot every 12-18 months. And as long as the temperature is above freezing, striping can be performed year-round.

So if your parking lot is in desperate need of a little TLC, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of these 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!

The Asphalt Driveway Repair Process

Friday, November 25th, 2011

Is your asphalt driveway in desperate need of repair? Well, the only way to truly rehabilitate your parking pad is to hire a professional asphalt contractor to come in, assess the situation, and repair the problem.

While you can attempt small do-it-yourself asphalt patching jobs on your own, these will be little more than temporary solutions. In the end, the only way to truly repair your driveway is to have an asphalt professional, like PTG Enterprises, handle the project.

Here at PTG Enterprises, we adhere to the following Asphalt Driveway Repair Process:

1. Pre-Construction

The purpose of a pre-construction meeting is to clearly communicate expectation levels and set a time to allow a question and answer session. A successful pre-construction meeting results in everyone leaving with a clear understanding of what’s going to happen and when it’s happening. Most of the time, this information is discussed at the time of estimate.

2. Traffic Controls

Usually this consists of cones and caution tape. We will place cones around construction vehicles and at both ends of the work zone. Maintaining the safety on a work zone is of the utmost importance. Once the driveway repairs have been completed, caution tape will be placed across the entrance to allow the asphalt time to cure.

3. Base Patching – (IF NEEDED)

As described in several places through-out this website, most patching is conducted the same way. The damaged asphalt is excavated, in this case to the sub-grade stone, and all damaged asphalt is removed from site and disposed of at a recycling plant. Assuming the sub-grade is stable, (see “Undercutting” if not), new asphalt is installed within the excavated area and compacted within industry standards. With base patching, the finished grade of the patch is even with either the old existing pavement that is about to be overlaid or even with the milled out elevation of the parking lot. In both cases, base patching is designed to repair isolated damaged areas prior to an overlay.

4. Undercutting / Stone Replacement – (IF NEEDED)

Soft spot or unstable soil is usually easy to see and evaluate. A simple on-site test is a proof roll. For this you take a fully loaded dump truck (approx. 50,000 pounds) and drive it over the area. In smaller areas, a bobcat will work. If the truck / bobcat cause deflections or makes deep wheel rut impressions in the sub-grade, you have a soft spot. The area is excavated as needed until a stable soil is reached and all debris is removed from site. New stone is then reinstalled in lifts, building the area back up to pre-construction elevations. The area is then capped with base course asphalt if overlay is to follow or base and surface course asphalt if it is to be a finished patch.

5. Asphalt Installation

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.

If you have any questions or wish to schedule a pre-construction meeting, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

I started my career in 1996 working on driveways. I learned how to work with homeowners and how to successfully manage driveway projects. Since then I have completed more than 2,000 driveway projects. Although the majority of my work today is parking lot or roadway oriented, I have never lost touch with my roots and have maintained and kept my Home Improvement License current, ( MHIC # 51204 ). I know driveways and understand driveway issues. I have crews that specialize in driveway installations and repairs. They are also committed to my ideals that “Attention to Detail” is the key to a successful driveway project.

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!

Asphalt Crack Sealing

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Asphalt cracks do not form over night. They slowly grow, 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.

However, if you monitor your parking lot carefully and catch these tiny cracks early enough, you can patch the problem before it gets any worse.

Asphalt crack sealing is the solution. Some fillers require special equipment for heating and applying and some are ready to go out of the box or can for the do-it-yourselfer. But to get that professional look, you should probably 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. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have, such as…

What is Sealcoating?

Sealcoating is a widely used and accepted preventative measure that helps safeguard a parking lot against the harsh effects of gas, oil, salt, weather conditions and oxidation. This coating will significantly reduce the impact of these harsh effects. When applied properly, a sealcoat cures on your parking lot leaving a fresh black finish. There are many ways that sealer may be applied and material mixes may vary as well.

How often should you have your parking lot sealcoated?
One of the most important things you can do to ensure a long life for your parking lot is to fill cracks and seal it every two years.

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. This has proven to be an excellent approach to avoid expensive repairs and maintain an aesthetically pleasing parking lot. There are many factors to consider when deciding how often to sealcoat.

If you have any other questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777or click here today!

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Sources:

Asphalt Crack Sealing AsphaltSealCoatingPro.com

Maximizing Traffic Flow

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Traffic flow can either make or break your newly resurfaced parking lot. Often ignored, but no less important than pavement maintenance, efficient traffic flow can really affect the experience of your customers. Remember, first impressions count. Customers who have a negative experience are less likely to patronize a business or shopping district because of those experiences.

You never knew how important your parking lot was, did you?

In such a competitive world, you cannot afford to lose business because of an inefficient parking surface. Neglecting efficient use of parking spaces and systems can be perilous to the continued success of any business.

Here are a few things to consider:

•      Put yourself in the place of the driver who has to navigate and use the lot. Would you get lost here, not knowing how everything works?

•      What about high volume periods? How does your parking lot cope with lots of traffic? Does it get backed up easily?

•      Are there any trouble areas where accidents are likely?

Answering these questions will help you understand how to increase the efficiency of your parking surface. Or, if you would like a professional opinion or if you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

PTG Enterprises will work closely with the building owner(s), property managers and anchor tenants to satisfy any and all concerns in an attempt to limit distraction to normal center activities.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Maximizing Efficient Traffic Flow in Your Parking Lot AsphaltSealcoatingPro.com

Sealcoating Should be left to the Professionals

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Anyone who has had a bad sealcoating job can attest to the value of choosing a qualified contractor. Look for a professional to do the work and stay away from amateurs. With sealcoating work, you really do get what you pay for

This article from AspahltAdvisor.com explains the pitfalls of trusting your sealcoating to an amateur.

A new sealcoating business is fairly easy to start. Supplies are easy to come by, but experience takes time. It is important to be able to differentiate the professional pavement company from the guy who sealcoats asphalt on the weekends.

Be sure to look for a company that has insurance. If a problem does arise, they will be easier to find and more likely to have the problem fixed.

So do your research and next time you have a parking lot that requires a fresh sealcoat, trust the job to a company with a proven track record of professionalism and excellence, like PTG Enterprises, Inc.

Over the last 10 years PTG Enterprises, Inc. has thrived and owner Patrick T. Gillen III has…

• Prepared approximately 3,000 written Requests for Proposals (RFPs);

• Contracted and managed approximately $20 million in work;

• Supervised and performed quality controls of other contractor’s work;

• Assisted with budgeting and estimating for future and upcoming pavement projects, and

• Performed “Special Pavement Projects,” usually specific tasks within certain timelines.

If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

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Asphalt Parking Lot Replacement vs. Resurfacing (Overlay)

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Eventually, all asphalt parking lots become too deteriorated to maintain and require restoration or rehabilitation. The asphalt condition (as well as your budget) will usually determine the extent of the project. Some will require a total excavation and replacement, while others may only need to be resurfaced.

So how can you decided if your parking lot needs a surface overlay or a total replacement? This article from AsphaltAdvisor.com can help. It outlines the conditions of each procedure.

Total Excavation and Replacement

There eventually comes a time when every parking lot has outlived its useful life – it is more cost effective to excavate the entire lot and re-install a new one. The property manager or owner needs to evaluate the cost of maintaining the deteriorating pavement over time vs. the cost of replacement. Performing non-stop patching can be expensive.

Assuming the decision has been made to perform a total excavation and replacement, the process, in theory, is a simple one. The entire parking lot is machine excavated, usually by an asphalt milling machine, but this can vary with the size and shape of the lot. Once excavation is completed, the sub-grade stone is evaluated for its condition. Any soft spots will be undercut and new stone installed. Then the base and surface courses of asphalt are re-installed. With this option, the life cycle of the parking lot is reset to zero. The lot is brand new.

Surface Overlay
In some cases, if the sub-grade is good and there is no surface cracking, an overlay only is the proper fix. This is the correct option if the surface is dry, brittle, and raveling. In this situation, a new and additional layer of asphalt is installed over what is already there. It’s important to evaluate the project properly because the grade of the lot will change. Edge milling is required along gutter pans and transition points.

Resurfacing can be a viable option if removal and replacement does not fit your budget. But remember, if you are looking for a long-term solution, it is usually more cost effective to opt for the expensive total excavation and replacement. But in the end, the choice is yours.

If you would like a professional opinion or if you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Asphalt, Curing, and Sealcoating

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

You have paid to have your parking lot re-paved with asphalt. So everything is perfect, right? Well, not quite. Replacing or repairing your asphalt parking lot is just the first step in the process.

It can take up to 12 months for liquid asphalt to fully cure. Until this time is up, you should use caution and avoid the following situations:

•     When driving on your new asphalt, be conscious that your car should remain in motion as you turn the steering wheel. Turning your wheel while the car is stopped will cause your tires to skid across and grab your new asphalt, causing the surface to scar.

•     You should also avoid parking in the same spot every day, as it could cause depressions where the tires sit.

•     Anything parked on the pavement with kickstands or trailer jacks can sink into the asphalt. Make sure the surface is protected with a board to displace the weight.

•     Gasoline, oil, transmission and power steering fluids can all penetrate into asphalt, softening it and causing structural damage.

Once the asphalt has been sealcoated a few times, the chances of penetration will be diminished.

Sealcoating is a widely used and accepted preventative measure that helps safeguard your parking lot against the harsh effects of gas, oil, salt, weather conditions and oxidation. This coating will significantly reduce the impact of these harsh effects. When applied properly, a sealcoat cures on your parking lot leaving a fresh black finish. There are many ways that sealer may be applied and material mixes may vary as well.

There are several different options available depending on the condition of the lot, previous maintenance schedules and budgets. The cost of sealcoating is only pennies a square yard versus repairs and rehabilitation, which can be as much as twenty times higher. The different types of sealer include:

1. Asphalt Based Sealer
This is the most common type of sealer. This is a tried and true method that has been around forever and is the most economical option. Asphalt based sealer is made from tar emulsion and clay and is applied at approximately 40% – 43% solids. Once applied to the parking lot it cures to a hardened, almost petrified state, and prevents water, oils, etc. from penetrating into the asphalt and deteriorating it. This type of material is best used for two reasons. If the lot has been sealed with coal tar in the past, there are advantages to staying with the same material. Secondly, asphalt based sealer is the least expensive material of the three. The material dries to a flat black and the client can expect a life cycle of 24-48 months depending on the current condition of pavement, volume of traffic and weather.

2. Polymer Modified Asphalt Sealer
Relatively new, this is an asphalt emulsion material that has distinct and ideal applications. It is blended with polymers and special surfactants for superior adhesion, flexibility and durability. Unlike conventional sealer, Polymer Modified Sealer is applied at 58-62% solids. The higher solids count produces several tangible advantages: it will last longer than standard sealers, and it dries faster with exceptional skid resistance in both wet and dry conditions.

3. Rejuvenator Sealer
This is a petroleum based penetrating material designed to absorb into the asphalt. It is best used when the asphalt has never been sealed. Pavement Rejuvenator/Sealer is applied in a one coat application. As pavement ages, essential oils are lost as they volatilize from the pavement leading to cracks and pavement failure. Rejuvenator penetrates the asphalt, restores essential oils, rejuvenates the asphaltic binder and repairs damage within the asphalt matrix.

Regardless of the material that is chosen, the property manager or owner can expect instant curb appeal. A fresh sealcoat will restore a fresh-black color to your lot and fresh paint will make it look new again.

If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here

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White Stains on Freshly Sealed Asphalt

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.

  1. 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.
  2. Calcium Carbonate is also common in soil and gravel and can leave a white residue.
  3. 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

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Thicker is Not Always Better

Friday, August 5th, 2011

Remember the old adage, less is more? It applies to sealcoat as well, as this article from PaveManPro.com explains. Sealcoating is not meant to be applied in thick patches. So let’s look at some of the disadvantages of thick sealcoating. They include:

•     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

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.

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.

So trust your next sealcoating to an experienced pavement expert, like PTG Enterprises. If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here

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