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Posts Tagged ‘pavement’

Concrete vs. Asphalt

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

Concrete vs Asphalt

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!

History of the Inner Harbor & Federal Hill: Cobblestones & Concrete Pavers

Friday, September 28th, 2012

Baltimore, Maryland’s famous Inner Harbor almost never existed. In the early 1960s, a proposed road project threatened what would become the Inner Harbor. Luckily, residents of Federal Hill joined forces with other Baltimoreans and defeated the highway project. This proved to be the right move not only for Federal Hill, but also Baltimore.

The completion of Rouse’s Inner Harbor in the early 1980s brought acclaim to Baltimore and quickened the pace of revitalization in nearby Federal Hill. Then in 1994, Federal Hill park underwent a facelift. Residents wanted a better pavement than the existing gravel. They needed a pavement that would accommodate both carriages and heavy commercial trucks.

The Solution: Concrete pavers!

Reminiscent of the cobblestones used in many of Baltimore’s streets, concrete pavers provided an aesthetically pleasing, incredibly durable, and cost effective solution for Federal Hill. Since the use of concrete pavers in the park, they have spread to several blocks of sidewalks within the neighborhood.

The pavers were placed over 1 in. (25 mm) of bedding sand on 12 in. (300 mm) of compacted aggregate base.

Commercial Concrete Paving Services in and around Baltimore, Maryland

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.

PTG Enterprises performs concrete work for:

If you have any further questions, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Federal Hill Park–A Key Place for Concrete Pavers

Wide Lines Lead to Safer Highways

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

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

Study Findings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Study: Wider Line Markings Make Highways Safer

Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Next Thursday, March 15, 2012, compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III becomes mandatory. Title III guarantees persons with disabilities are provided accommodations and access equal to, or similar to, the general public into commercial facilities and areas of public accommodation.

The 2010 updates are enforceable under civil rights law. This means that a person is able to file lawsuit if he/she has “reasonable grounds” for believing that discrimination is about to occur, rather than filing a grievance after the fact. A civil law suit can be filed with penalties of up to $100,000 imposed per offense.

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

2010 ADA Guidelines

  1. Facilities that provide goods or services directly to the public: These facilities will be required to remove architectural barriers in existing buildings, and must make sure that newly built or altered facilities are constructed to be accessible. 
  2. Facilities that do not provide goods/services directly to the public: These facilities are only subject to new construction and alteration requirements.
  3. Small businesses with very limited parking (four or fewer spaces): These businesses must have one accessible parking space; though no new signage is required.
  4. Medium-Large Businesses: Non-van accessible parking stalls need to be 8’ wide with a 60″ aisle. For van-accessible parking, the van parking stall should be 11’, with a 60″ access isle. Plus, disabled parking signs are required on all accessible parking spaces, and should be easily visible, a minimum of 60″ off the ground.

However, specific ADA regulations will vary depending on location.

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

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

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

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

Asphalt and the Environment

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Believe it or not, asphalt is actually not bad for the environment. Don’t believe me, then check out the facts:

  • Between 1960 and 1999, while production of asphalt pavement material increased by 250 percent, total emissions from our operations decreased by 97%.
  • Asphalt is an environmentally sustainable pavement.
  • Once constructed, asphalt pavements have minimal impact on the environment. Studies show that asphalt pavements and stockpiles of reclaimed asphalt pavement do not leach.
  • Asphalt and the processes used to produce asphalt are green.
  • Asphalt pavements require about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct than other pavements.
  • Asphalt pavement is America’s most recycled product, with about 70 million tons of asphalt pavement material being reclaimed. And more than 99% of that total is reused or recycled. In 2010 alone, asphalt recycling conserved over 20.5 million barrels of asphalt binder.
  • Porous asphalt pavements offer a tool for storm water management with both environmental and economic benefits.
  • Warm-mix asphalt reduces fuel consumption, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and enhances the quality of pavement.
  • Porous asphalt pavements have been shown to lower nighttime surface temperatures as compared to impervious pavements.
  • Asphalt pavements are faster to construct and rehabilitate.

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

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Environment, Health, and Safety

Asphalt, The Sustainable Pavement

Recycled Asphalt Pavement: What You Probably didn’t know About Asphalt

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Here is something you probably don’t know about asphalt. It is America’s most recycled material. That’s right. Not aluminum cans or plastic bottles…asphalt! In fact, asphalt pavement is now being recycled and reused at a rate over 99%. In 2010 alone, asphalt recycling conserved over 20.5 million barrels of asphalt binder.

Here are a few highlights from the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s (NAPA) report titled, Asphalt Pavement Mix Production Survey: 2009-2010 (NAPA Information Series 138):

Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP): With 96% of asphalt contractors and asphalt companies using RAP, the amount of RAP used in asphalt pavement was 56.0 million tons in 2009 and 62.1 million tons in 2010. This represents over 3 million tons of asphalt binder conserved over that time.

Warm-mix asphalt (WMA): Total tonnage of WMA is estimated at 19.2 million tons in 2009 and 47.6 million tons in 2010, a 148% increase in that one year alone.

RAP and WMA conserve raw materials; conserve energy; cut emissions from production and paving operations; and improve conditions for workers.

To view/download the full report Asphalt Pavement Mix Production Survey: 2009-2010click here.

To view/download State-by-State Use of RAP and WMA, click here.

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

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

New FHWA Survey Finds Asphalt Recycling Reaches 99 Percent; Warm Mix Usage Skyrockets National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA)

Commercial Parking Lots, Paving Contractors, and Your Business

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Your business parking lot is the first point of contact your customers/clients have with your business. It is what they will base their first impressions on. Because of this, it is important to keep your parking surface free of oil stains, debris, cracks and potholes. But all the asphalt maintenance in the world won’t make a difference if your asphalt pavement was not properly installed by a qualified pavement contractor.

But before you call a potential asphalt contractor, educate yourself on the important qualities of any good commercial parking surface. These include:

  1. Smooth Integration: If you are expanding an existing parking lot, you want to be sure that your new parking surface blends seamlessly with the old asphalt. Feel free to ask your potential parking lot contractor for photos of a similar job he already completed.
  2. Good Base: Without a proper gravel base, your business parking surface will collapse under the weight of traffic.
  3. Drainage: Water and asphalt are not friends. Proper drainage prevents standing water and long-term damage to your parking lot.
  4. Attention to Detail: A good asphalt professional pays attention to the tiniest of details, ensuring that your parking surface is installed properly.

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

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

4 Keys to Quality Commercial Parking Lot Paving

Maryland Sealcoating Service: The Benefits of Sealcoating Your Asphalt Parking Lot

Friday, January 6th, 2012

Asphalt parking lot maintenance is important. But of all the precautions you can take to ensure your parking surface lasts for a long time, sealcoating is perhaps the most important. If applied properly and at the right time, sealcoating provides the following benefits:

Slows Oxidation and Water Penetration: Over exposure to oxygen will harden asphalt binders, resulting in brittle pavement prone to cracking. And cracking allows water to seep into the asphalt sub base, further weakening the entire parking surface. This leads to more cracks, potholes, and eventual total parking lot failure.

Sealcoats fill surface voids, reducing exposure to oxygen and water and prolonging pavement life.

Protects Pavement Against Ultraviolet Rays: The sun’s rays can break the links between carbon bonds and your asphalt. Sealcoat prevent ultraviolet rays from further damaging the asphalt pavement.

Protects Against Spills: Gas and oil spills can soften asphalt, making it more susceptible to other damage. Sealcoating reduces the depth to which oil or gas can penetrate.

Easy to Clean Pavement: Sealcoating results in a smooth, even texture allowing for much easier cleaning.

Increased Pavement Flexibility: Sealcoating keeps your parking lot black. This attracts more heat from the sun, which, in turn, makes your parking surface more pliable and increasingly able it is to withstand traffic volume changes without cracking.

Beauty: Well, this one is a given.

Cost Effective: It is far less expensive to sealcoat your parking lot every few years than it would be to overlay or completely replace your parking surface.

If you have any questions, contact an experienced asphalt company today – a company like PTG Enterprises. The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement sealcoat 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!

There are many different options available to property managers and owners today than there were when I started in the Industry. This works to the advantage of the property and to the pavement. Now, depending on the current condition of the asphalt, I have the ability to recommend several different options depending on the condition of the lot, previous maintenance schedules and budgets. The cost of sealcoating is only pennies a square yard versus repairs and rehabilitation which can be as much as twenty times higher.

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Asphalt Pavement Maintenance 101

A Few Frequently Asked Sealcoating Questions

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

It dawned on us that many of our customers have questions about the sealcoating process. So we have compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked sealcoating questions we could find. These include:

Why are two thin coats of sealcoat better than a single thick coat?

The answer is quite simple. Applying two thinner coats allows the sealcoat to dry and cure much faster than one thick application. Sealcoating is water-based and cures through evaporation. Because of this, the top layer dries faster than the bottom layers. If applied in one thick coat, sealcoating has a tendency to hold water and stay soft for a long period of time.

One thin coat of sealcoat looks good enough; why do I need a second coat?

Aesthetics is only part of the reason for sealcoating. The larger purpose for this process is to protect the asphalt underneath. One thin coat only provides half the necessary protection.

Applying one thin coat also means that you will have to sealcoat more frequently.

Why does sealcoat fail or peel?

Oil spots and other contaminants, like grease and dirt, will prevent the sealcoating from properly bonding with the asphalt. This is why the pavement should be thoroughly cleaned before the sealcoating process begins.

Why are there white streaks in the sealcoating?

This could be a sign that there is a problem with your base. The limestone from the base may be making its way through pre-existing cracks in the pavement.

Hopefully these FAQs have answered some of your sealcoating questions, but if you still want to know more, contact the asphalt experts at PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources

Sealcoating Performance: Frequently Asked Questions

How to Fix Potholes and Uneven Pavement Problems

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