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Posts Tagged ‘pavement’
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
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Beautifying Your Driveway
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
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on How to Identify Pavement Distress
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011
After Concrete is laid, the inevitable settling, shifting and moving will occur. But in extreme cases, when the ground settles below the concrete or when a tree root comes into contact with the pavement, walkways or patios can break and lift. These unsightly blemishes on your otherwise pristine concrete surface can ruin the entire look and feel of your patio or walkway. And with Memorial Day right around the corner, you are going to want your home to look perfect for your guests.
This article from eHow.com provides 4 ways in which you can quickly repair that broken and lifted concrete.
Instructions
1. The easiest way to repair lifting concrete pavement is to grind it down. Most driveways are at least 6″ thick by code, so there should be sufficient grinding depth. Walkways and patios are 3″ – 4″ in thickness. Renting a scarifier is probably the most practical way to do this yourself. This is not an easy machine to use, so if you are not comfortable with the job, don’t hesitate to call in a professional.
2. If the lifting is the result of tree root growth, you will have to grind your cement down repetitively as the roots will continue to push the concrete up. A better solution is to remove the concrete pavement all together, cut out the offending root(s) and re-pour the cement.
3. A quick fix would be to fill in the ‘step’ created by the raised concrete with a cement adhesive and concrete/polymer fill. Even if you carefully rough up the lower cement, this ramp-like fix will only be a temporary patch at best. It will chip away fairly quickly, especially on a driveway pavement with heavy traffic.
4. Better left to the professionals, you can float a slab of concrete that has sunk into the ground by drilling holes and pumping in a cement mix. This will literally float the slab back up with the pressure of the concrete beneath.
Now you can enjoy your Memorial Day barbeque without having to hear, “What happened to your patio!?” at least 50 times. 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 today!
Tags: 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 repair, Concrete repair Maryland, Contractor, Contractors License, Cost, crack fill, Do not pay full cost in advance, fill cracks, Get it in writing, Hiring a Contractor, Industry, Job, Knowledge, Lot, Maintenance, Meeting, My Pavement Guy, Parking lot, pavement, Pavement Contractor, Pavement cracks, Pavement installation, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement Maryland, Pavement repair Maryland, Pre-bid, Preventative maintenance, PTG Enterprises, Re-striping, re-striping asphalt, re-striping pavement, References, Repairing Lifted Concrete, Repairs, request for proposal, reverse bidding, RFP, Sealcoating, Sigsn, Understanding, warranty, Wheel Stops, Work, Yards
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Repairing Lifted Concrete
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
Pavement ants, also known as house ants or sugar ants, can be quite a nuisance. They set up camp in your yard or inside the cracks in your pavement and eventually work their way into your home. The best thing to do when you find pavement ants is to rid yourself of the infestation as soon as possible.
But how can you do that? You are no exterminator and you don’t want to have to run to the hardware store to buy ant spray, right? Well, you can use one household item to help assist you in your quest for an ant free existence – salt.
That’s right, all you need is everyday salt. This article from eHow.com explains several solutions to rid yourself of those pesky pavement ants using nothing but common table salt.
1. Sprinkle ordinary table salt on cracks in the driveway, along the sides and where the ants are present. Make sure the driveway and surrounding areas are dry before applying salt for the best effectiveness.
2. Repeat weekly until the ants are gone. After consuming the salt, the ants will drink water or other moisture until they essentially explode. Be aware that the salt will also kill any weeds or plants present, so use caution.
3. Draw a line with salt at the end of the driveway on the pavement to prevent the ants from crossing over into the lawn or home.
4. If table salt is not effective, purchase a sweet ant bait trap that contains boric acid salt. (Boric acid is a hydroponic salt.) The ants are attracted to the sugar in the bait, consume the boric acid salt with the sugar, and then take the poison back to their home, where it spreads to the other ants.
5. Place the ant baits along the sides and ends of the driveway. Use caution when using ant baits because boric acid can be toxic to pets and humans as well as insects.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises by calling410-636-8777 or click here today!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | 3 Comments »
Friday, April 15th, 2011
As they say, knowledge is power. The key to making a wise business decision is being educated on the subject. So if you are ready to have any pavement work done around your business, large or small, this is what you need to know before you even think about call a contractor.
Bidding a Pavement Project
1. Request For Proposal (RFP)
This is a method that is widely accepted within the industry when a client has a specific problem and needs that problem corrected. The client has an RFP prepared that clearly specifies the scope of work. This is usually done by an independent source, like a pavement consultant, reserve study engineer or by a contractor you trust. Once this scope is created, it is typically sent to three to five contractors and a pre-bid meeting is scheduled. A pre-bid meeting is another widely accepted practice within the industry. It involves the client, board members, building owners, anchor tenants, and the three to five contractors you picked. This meeting is designed to provide all key parties the opportunity to have a question and answer session. Usually, the RFP is tweaked at these meetings and little changes are made to accommodate either the contractor or the client. A successful pre-bid meeting will have the contractor leaving with a clear understanding of how he/she is to perform the scope of work. And, the client will leave knowing they are going to receive apples-to-apples bidding. It is vitally important that every contractor bid the RFP the same way. The client should avoid at all costs the instinct to send three to five contractors to a site with directions to “evaluate the property and bid the way you think it should be corrected”. This usually produces three to five different scopes of work with wide ranging price swings.
2. Reverse Bidding
This type of bidding has become more popular as budgets have become smaller. When a client needs more work, asphalt patching, sidewalk repairs, etc. then they have budgeted for, the client reveals their budget number to several contractors. For example, “I have $15,000 in the budget for asphalt repairs.” Those contractors then produce competitive bids on the volume of work they are willing to complete for $15,000. For example, contractor A will complete 275 square yards of repair, contractor B will complete 325 square yards of repair, and contractor C will complete 300 square yards of repair. In this scenario, the client would pick contractor B because they are giving you the best value. Once a contract is awarded, the client and contractor would visit the site and determine the worst 325 square yards of repair. If this practice is repeated year after year, a client can usually get a handle on an out of control pavement situation within a few years.
Hiring the Right Contractor
Once you have received an ample number of bids it is time to hire a contractor. You should ask for the following from your pavement contractor:
1. Contractors License: Every state has its own departments of licensing and regulation. This is the agency that issues business and contractors licenses. Make sure any contractor you use is properly licensed. ( My Contractors License Number is MHIC # 51204 )
2. References: Most reputable contractors are eager to furnish references. Check to see if the jobs were performed to satisfaction in a timely, professional manner.
3. A warranty: Too often, business owners or property managers find out after a disappointing experience that there is no warranty on the work. If a warranty is offered, get it in writing. Most contractors place their warranty information on their proposals.
4. A certificate of insurance: These are simple form letters sent out by request from the insurance company that insures the contractor. General liability and workers compensation insurance is easily attainable for legitimate companies.
5. Do not pay full cost in advance: Most state laws prohibit contractors from receiving more than 1/3 of the contract price at the acceptance of the contract. Find out the terms of payment and avoid contractors that only accept cash.
6. Get it in writing: Always get a written contract before you permit work to proceed. This should detail when work is to begin, the exact details of the improvements to be made, the quality of material to be used, an estimated completion date and payment terms. Read the entire contract before signing, including any small print.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises by calling 443-463-1536 or click here today!
Tags: Anchor tenant, Asphault, Asphault installation, Asphault Maryland, Asphault repair, Asphault repairs, Bid, Bidding a Pavement Project, Board Member, Budget, Building Owner, Business, certificate of insurance, Client, Contractor, Contractors License, Cost, Do not pay full cost in advance, Get it in writing, Hiring a Contractor, Industry, Job, Knowledge, Lot, Meeting, My Pavement Guy, Parking lot, pavement, Pavement Contractor, Pavement installation, Pavement Maryland, Pre-bid, PTG Enterprises, References, Repairs, request for proposal, reverse bidding, RFP, Understanding, warranty, Work, Yards
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Bidding a Pavement Project And Hiring The Right Contractor
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
Warm-mix asphalt has been called the wave of the future, but what is it? Well, it is actually a generic term for several techniques used to reduce the temperature, by as much as 50 to 100 degrees, at which materials are mixed and placed on the road. This article from WarmMixAsphalt.com seeks to better explain this revolutionary new technology.
This drastic reduction in temperature has not only slashed fuel consumption, but it also reduced the production of greenhouse gasses, improving conditions for workers by cutting down on dangerous emissions. Warm-mix asphalt also allows for better asphalt compaction on the road, the ability to haul paving mix for longer distances, and the extension of the paving season.
But there are still several questions that must be answered before we crown warm-mix asphalt as the king of the road.
- Can warm-mix pavements be opened to traffic quickly after construction?
- What are the performance characteristics of these pavements?
- In the case of technologies developed in other countries, can they be adapted to the U.S., where climate conditions are often more extreme?
- If the production temperature is lower, does that mean that the binder does not age as much?
- Will the potential for thermal cracking be reduced?
- Will the potential for rutting be different?
- Will the contractor have to use a different grade of asphalt binder?
- What changes for the mix design procedure will be required?
- Will the performance-graded binder in a warm mix perform differently from pavements produced at higher temperature?
If you have any questions about warm-mix asphalt, contact PTG Enterprises by calling 443-463-1536 or click here today!
Tags: asphalt, Benefits, Better Working Condition, Characteristics, Climate, Conditions, Cracking, cut emissions, Cut greenhouse gasses, Degrees, King of the Road, Longer Pavement Season, Materials, Mixed, My Pavement Guy, New Tecnology, pavement, Pavement Season, PTG Enterprises, Reduce emissions, Reduce greenhouse gasses, Revolutionary, Revolutionary New technology, Road, Techniques, Temperature, Temperature reduction, The Benefits of Warm-mix Asphalt, Traffic, Warm-mix asphalt, Wave of the future
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on The Benefits of Warm-mix Asphalt
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
From the moment your asphalt is installed, it begins to deteriorate. This means that to ensure you have a top-notch parking lot for years to come, you will need to take certain steps to maintain that asphalt. This preventative maintenance will not only make your parking lot last longer, but, in the long run, it will save you money.
Here are a few simple steps you should take to keep your lot looking pristine.
Crackfill
Properly filling cracks is a job of tremendous importance. By filling a small crack properly, you will prevent that fissure from growing and becoming too big to handle by yourself. Filling small cracks saves you from paying to have large cracks repaired.
Sealcoating
This is another great way to improve the overall look of you lot while going the extra mile to protect your parking surface.
Re-Striping
Once the original lines are painted on the asphalt, constant re-striping is required ever 12-18 months.
Signage
Not only will your lot begin to deteriorate, but often signs are knocked down, dented, vandalized or even stolen. It is important to properly maintain your signs – not only for that instant curb appeal, but also for safety.
Wheel Stops
Wheel stops play an integral role in maintaining clear sidewalks and protecting signs. If your wheel stops are damaged, it could negatively affect everything around them.
Now you are well on your way to a beautiful, long lasting parking surface.
If you have any questions, please contact PTG Enterprises by calling 443-463-1536 or click here today!
Tags: asphalt, Asphalt cracks, Asphalt Maintenance, asphalt maryland, crack fill, fill cracks, Maintenance, My Pavement Guy, pavement, Pavement cracks, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement Maryland, Preventative maintenance, PTG Enterprises, Re-striping, re-striping asphalt, re-striping pavement, Sealcoating, Sigsn, Wheel Stops
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Pavement Maintenance
Friday, February 18th, 2011
The production and installation of asphalt emits less greenhouse gases than other surfaces, reports this article. According to a recent study, asphalt pavements require about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct than other pavements. The less fuel that is used in the process—the less carbon dioxide that gets released into the air.
The article goes on to say that “Between 1970 and 1999, the asphalt industry decreased total emissions from plants by 97 percent while increasing production by 250 percent. Emissions from asphalt plants are so low, the EPA considers them as only minor sources of industrial pollution.”
Warm mix asphalt is another way that asphalt is cutting down on its emissions. The asphalt is mixed at a lower temperature than before, thus needing less energy to heat up. Asphalt also helps to move traffic along quickly, allowing drivers to get to their destination rapidly. The process for applying asphalt is very fast so traffic does not usually result. This saves drivers time and also helps cut down on carbon dioxide released into the air.
The urban heat island (UHI) effect—the phenomenon that makes cities 2° to 10°F warmer than nearby rural areas on a hot summer day is another issue to consider. However, recently it has been proven that it is not necessarily the color of the pavement in the city that causes this effect but also the texture and thickness of the pavement. This can affect the way a pavement retains, radiates, and/or releases heat. Research is being done to now to look into more porous surfaces that can help lessen this effect.
For any of your asphalt needs contact My Pavement Guy here or at 443-463-1536.
Tags: asphalt, environmental asphalt, green asphalt, My Pavement Guy, pavement
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Asphalt Causes Less Carbon footprint than Other Pavements
Saturday, February 12th, 2011
Practically every industry or business segment in this nation is represented by a local, regional, or national trade group. Ours is no exception. PTG Enterprises, Inc. — MYpavementGUY.com — belongs to the Asphalt Institute (AI), a trade association founded in 1919. Our membership in AI with petroleum asphalt producers, manufacturers, and affiliated businesses, helps us keep current on the engineering, research, and educational aspects of liquid asphalt use. In fact, AI’s members represent 90 percent of the liquid asphalt produced in North America.
This would simply be interesting information of questionable relevance for the average client were it not for the fact that our membership in AI yields specific benefits to the clients of MYpavementGUY.com. Foremost among these benefits are the technical support and environmental oversight that AI offers to its members. Through various committees and partnerships, the Asphalt Institute serves its members as a center of excellence for health, safety, and environmental matters — topics that, like us, our clients care about. AI promotes petroleum asphalt as a safe and environmentally friendly construction material for highways, streets, and roofing systems through a program of scientific research and technological developments. AI’s network of regional engineers throughout the U.S. and Canada provides technical support to member companies and users, and so we can tap fast and accurate information if we have questions about a particular project.
A thoroughly professional organization such as ours is happy to be affiliated with a trade group with the size and scope of AI, and we hope our clients understand how beneficial such an affiliation is when they entrust their projects to us.
Tags: AI, Asphault Institute, liquid asphalt, My Pavement Guy, pave, pavement, paving, paving contractor, PTG Enterprises
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Info about the Asphalt Institute
Friday, January 14th, 2011
For commercial paving and repaving work, clients issue a request for proposal (RFP) to a number on contractors. This is by no means the only method for obtaining bids on a pavement project, but it is an accepted and popular one. Here are a few things to keep in mind about the RFP process.
- An independent professional should assist with creating the RFP. This could be a pavement consultant, reverse study engineer, or a contractor you trust.
- A pre-bid meeting with the three to five contractors who received the RFP is standard procedure. Other stakeholders requesting the bid should be part of the meeting, which should be a Q&A session to make sure everyone understands the scope of the work.
- The RFP should be open for editing during the pre-bid meetings.
The advantage of going through the RFP and pre-bid process is that everyone leaves the meetings understanding the work that needs to be done. That way, when the bids come back they’ll be easy to compare. You can learn more by visiting our education page. For more on paving or to get help with your paving project, contact us.
Tags: My Pavement Guy, pave, pavement, pavement repair, paving, paving contractor, pre bid meeting, pre bid meetings, proposal, PTG Enterprises, repave, repaving, request for proposal, RFP
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Does my paving work require an RFP?
