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Posts Tagged ‘PTG Enterprises’
Friday, October 7th, 2011
At PTG Enterprises, we get tons of questions about asphalt pavement. What is it made from? Can it be recycled? Is it cost-effective? Well, we will answer those questions and more. Below you will find the most Frequently Asked Questions about Asphalt Pavement:
Q: What is Asphalt Pavement made from?
A: Asphalt pavement is made from heated Asphalt cement mixed with crushed, dried stone called aggregate.
Q: Isn’t Asphalt pavement made entirely of price-sensitive petroleum products . . . crude oil.
A: No. Only about 5-6% of asphalt pavement is actually petroleum based.
Q: Is Asphalt Pavement cost-effective?
A: Yes. When compared to other pavement types, asphalt is the economical choice in both the short and long run. When you combine asphalt’s strength and durability with its affordable installation and maintenance, asphalt just blows other pavements away.
Q: Does Asphalt production contribute to greenhouse gases and global warming?
A: No. Asphalt has the smallest overall carbon footprint of any pavement and neither the asphalt itself nor its production are major sources of green house gasses.
Q: Can Asphalt pavement be recycled and reused?
A: Yes. It is by far the most reusable pavement material in the U.S.
Q: Is Asphalt good for anything other than roads?
A: Yes. Asphalt can be used for parking lots, airports, sidewalks, driveways and basketball courts…just to name a few of its uses.
If you have any additional questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777or click here today!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Asphalt Pavement Frequently Asked Questions
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!
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
Asphalt Crack Sealing AsphaltSealCoatingPro.com
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Asphalt Crack Sealing
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
Tags: accidents, anchor tenants, Building Owner, building owners, efficient traffic flow, high volume, increase the efficiency of your parking surface, inefficient parking, inefficient parking surface, Maximizing Efficient Traffic Flow in Your Parking Lot, Maximizing Traffic Flow, My Pavement Guy, newly resurfaced parking lot, parking, Parking lot, parking spaces, parking surface, Pavement Maintenance, professional opinion, property managers, PTG Enterprises, resurfaced parking lot, shopping district, Traffic, Traffic Flow
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Maximizing Traffic Flow
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
There are several benefits to sealcoating, which we will address later. It does much more than just make your asphalt look like new.
When the liquid asphalt holding the aggregate together oxidizes, your asphalt becomes brittle and prone to cracking. Sealer helps to protect your parking lot or other asphalt surface from the harsh effects of nature.
So how often should you seal your asphalt? The general rule is every two years, but there are exceptions. For example, when an asphalt surface is new, it should be sealed the first two years (the first application doesn’t cover as well as the coats that follow). But be careful not to overdo it. When a surface is sealed too much, the sealer will build up and can begin to crack.
Your asphalt should look and feel like asphalt. If it starts to resemble a black skating rink, you’ve sealed to much.
The Benefits of Sealcoating Includes…
Beautifies Pavement
Regardless of the material that is chosen, the property manager or owner can expect instant curb appeal. As these photos show, the difference is quite remarkable. A fresh sealcoat will restore a fresh-black color to your lot and fresh paint will make it look new again.
Stops Weather Damage
Unsealed pavement allows water to penetrate in and through it. This leads to base erosion, freeze-thaw damage and ultimately pavement failure. sealcoating provides a protective barrier to stop water penetration.
The Asphalt Institute states: “The accumulation of moisture in pavement is probably the greatest cause of pavement distress.”
Prevents Oxidation
Asphalt pavement is made up of asphalt binder and little rocks called aggregate. As the pavement cures, the sun’s rays harden and dry out the asphalt binder and cause the surface to dry out. This causes the asphalt to become dry, brittle and break apart. This oxidation will cause accelerated raveling and erosion, and, if left untreated can reduce asphalt thickness by as much as half in five years.
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!
Sources:
How Often Should I Sealcoat My Driveway? AsphaltAdvisor.com
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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!
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Sealcoating Should be left to the Professionals
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!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | 2 Comments »
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
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Asphalt, Curing, and Sealcoating
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
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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
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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
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
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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