Sealcoating is a process used to protect asphalt surfaces from the elements. Some people think it’s a waste of money, while others believe it’s the only way to preserve their asphalt driveway. It can help prolong the life of your pavement, and it makes the surface look nicer too. However, many seal coating myths are circulating on the internet.
This blog post by Laurel Asphalt dispels some of those myths.
Sealcoating Removes Cracks
Sealcoating helps seal the surface of the asphalt, which prevents water and other debris from penetrating the surface and causing damage. However, pavement fissures cannot be filled with sealant. If your pavement already has cracks, you’ll need to fill them with a hot rubberized substance before sealing them. Cracks in your pavement must be sealed as soon as they emerge. Potholes, cracking, and pavement collapse will result if the property owner does not fix pavement cracks within one year of their occurrence.
Sealcoating Materials Are All Same
Sealcoating materials are not all the same. Before it can be used commercially, a good seal coat material must pass several tests. However, some seal coating businesses utilize “lower grade” sealers to save money. A property owner should employ a reliable, professional seal coating contractor who can give expertise and literature about the seal coat materials they use.
Sealcoating Is Not Durable
Because seal coating is a “topcoat” of material, it may appear that it is not a long-lasting solution. But seal coating is successful because it aids in the preservation of asphalt resilience by filling up and coating the small holes that enable water infiltration.
These tiny holes are called “macro-pores” and are about the diameter of human hair. The sealant is more viscous than water, making it easier to linger in these pores before evaporating into thin air.
Sealcoating Is Expensive
Many property owners have the misconception that seal coating is costly. In reality, seal coating is very cost-effective, especially when you consider the cost of repair and replacement that it will prevent. Think about saving money in the long run by seal coating the pavements now.
Sealcoating Is Only Important for New Pavements
Sealcoating is important for both new and existing asphalt pavements. It helps to protect the surface of the asphalt from damage and extends the life of the pavement. Even if your pavement looks great and isn’t showing signs of wear, sealing the asphalt will help protect it from spills and cracks.
Laurel Asphalt in Ebensburg, PA, is a leading asphalt paving firm serving residential and commercial clients. Laurel Asphalt prides itself on providing high-quality services on time to avoid overruns, inconvenience, and dissatisfaction.
We have an experienced team of paving professionals who can overcome any challenges they encounter in a paving project.
Read more about our seal coating services and get a free estimate now!
When it comes to your home, you want it to look its best. You have already started thinking about the landscaping and what kind of plants you want to use. But have you thought about the driveway? A well-constructed and attractive driveway can add to the overall appearance of your home. There are many hardscape options to choose from when you are looking to improve the aesthetics of your home. You can use brick, stone, or concrete to create a beautiful driveway, patio, or walkway. But have you ever considered using colored asphalt? Colored asphalt can be used to create stunning effects that will enhance the appearance of your home.
Laurel Asphalt can give you several reasons to consider colored asphalt for your residential hardscapes. Not only is it a more affordable option than other expensive materials such as stone, but it can also be more aesthetically pleasing. Let’s explore the different colors of asphalt available and some of the benefits of using this material for your home in Cambria County, PA.
1. Why Choose Colored Asphalt?
Colored asphalt has become a popular choice for residential hardscapes in recent years. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is aesthetics. Colored asphalt can add color and personality to your driveway, enhancing the appearance of your home. In addition, colored asphalt is also very durable and long-lasting. It can tolerate the test of time and look great for many years to come.
If you consider using colored asphalt for your residential hardscape, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that you choose a color that complements your home’s exterior. Second, be sure to hire a qualified contractor to install the asphalt. Finally, be ready to pay a bit more for colored asphalt than you would for traditional black asphalt.
Despite the higher cost, colored asphalt is a great way to add personality and style to your home’s exterior. It can also appreciate the value of your property, so it is worth considering if you are in the market for a new hardscape.
2. How Does the Color Selection Process Work?
The color selection process for colored asphalt is relatively simple. You can choose from various colors or create your custom blend. Most contractors will have a library of colors to choose from, or they will be able to match the pigment with the color of your home’s exterior.
Once you have selected a color, the contractor will need to do a small test area to ensure color consistency across the entire driveway or patio. If everything looks good, they will then begin work on your project.
Solution
Laurel Asphalt specializes in creating the perfect hardscape design that will make your house in Cambria County, PA, look like a million bucks! The best part is it’s not just about home aesthetics; colored asphalt can be used for many purposes, including walkways and driveways, which means they do wonders for functionality. Contact us today if you want to get more curb appeal for your homeor need advice on brick, stone, or concrete options because we know these materials inside out! Get a Free Estimate!
It’s that time of year again, winter! Recreational facilities’ owners are looking for ways to keep their facilities in good shape during the winter months. This blog post will discuss different methods you can use to protect your asphalt surface during these cold months.
Reliable paving companies like Laurel Asphalt help businesses like yours in Somerset, NJ, spend less money on maintenance costs while providing a safer recreational area for the community!
Method 1: Keep It Clean
This may be the most obvious method – keeping your court clean! Keeping up with snow removal during winter can help prevent damage to asphalt surfacing. Not only that, but regularly removing all trash, leaves, and debris from the area will also help prevent any long-term damage.
It’s also essential to make sure that any spills are cleaned up as soon as possible. If left untreated, even a tiny oil or gasoline spill can cause significant damage over time. By making such clean-ups part of your routine, you’ll be able to avoid a lot of potential damage not only in winter but throughout the year.
Method 2: Ensure Proper Drainage
Snow isn’t the only thing that can cause issues with your asphalt. The natural freeze and thaw cycle of the season also impacts this material, making it crucial to ensure proper drainage and snow removal.
If water pools around the area due to poor drainage, it could seep through cracks or other openings in the surface and lead to severe issues. These problems could include potholes, uneven surfaces, or even damage to the sub-base.
Method 3: Use Sand or Salt
A great way to keep ice off your asphalt surface is to apply sand or salt. While this method isn’t always the most effective, it’s certainly better than letting ice accumulate on top of your court and potentially cause damage during freezing temperatures.
Be sure that you don’t use too much of either material, which could end up clumping together at specific points. In addition, excess salt can corrode the asphalt surface over time.
Method 4: Protect Your Asphalt Surfaces
An excellent way to protect your asphalt surface is by applying a sealant to the pavement. Doing so will help protect it from the cold weather and prevent water seeping in, leading to cracking and other drastic problems.
You should apply this method to asphalt surfaces ONLY if they are already in good condition. If your court is cracked, crumbly, or broken up at all, the sealant will not do your surfaces any good. In this case, you would need to repair the damage before applying a sealant.
Conclusion
Asphalt maintenance can be challenging, but you can keep your asphalt surfaces in great shape throughout the winter season by following the aforementioned methods.
At Laurel Asphalt, our experts provide you with all of the information that you need when it comes to protecting your recreational facilities in Somerset, NJ, during cold weather!
Have you invested in high-quality decorative asphalt? Then you must know of the long-term maintenance it requires. You need to invest in routine cleaning and upkeep for its long lifespan. To help you take care of your stamped and decorative asphalt pavement, the experts at Laurel Asphalt in Johnstown, PA, have gathered the essentials for your perusal.
Tips On Maintaining Decorative Asphalt
Stamped asphalt, also known as decorative asphalt, needs regular maintenance to keep its integrity and visual appeal intact. Read these tips on maintaining decorative asphalt or have a professional company like Laurel Asphalt do it for you.
Tip 1. Pressure-Washing is a Bad Idea
You should resist the urge to pressure-wash your decorative asphalt pavement. Why? Because over time, the intensity of the pressure-wash will result in the breaking of the sealant used. This significantly compromises the visuals and the appeal of the decorative asphalt. Alternatively, you could rinse the asphalt with some low-pressure stream of water to be safe.
Tip 2. Trapped Dirt and Grime Need to Loosened
Dirt and grime can get trapped in the nooks and crannies in the asphalt. You can quickly rid your asphalt of this by using a mild, gentle cleanser. This will help loosen the dirt and grime. You can then rinse it away with a stream of low-pressure water.
Tip 3. Resealing Is Important; Don’t Ignore It
You need to reseal your decorative asphalt every eighteen to twenty-four months. When you follow this routine, you will see that the color on your asphalt lasts long and becomes impervious to environmental deterioration.
There are a few ways to reseal your decorative asphalt. You can either use a penetrating sealer or a topical sealer. Penetrating sealers go into the pores of the asphalt and fill them up, while topical sealers form a film on the surface of the asphalt. You should use a penetrating seal if you have a newer driveway or other asphalt surfaces. If your asphalt has already been exposed to harsh elements, you should opt for the topical sealer.
Tip 4. Say No To Salt and De-Icers
You have to avoid salts and de-icers on your asphalt. Why? Because both are caustic, they can quickly penetrate your coating and then break it from the inside.
Tip 5. Avoid Metal Shovels
Want to know why we are advising you to avoid using a metal shovel and similar tools? They might cause chips and scratches on your otherwise durable asphalt. With the appearance of the slightest crack, dirt and grime start making their way in. If your asphalt is old, it might also break if you are not careful with these tools.
After reading all these tips, you are probably looking for a dependable asphalt company in Johnstown, PA. Contact Laurel Asphalt; we offer a wide variety of services. Contact us today and get started.
A line striping plan is a process of determining where to place line markings on a parking lot before winter. The goal is to make it easier for drivers and snowplows to see where they should be driving, hopefully reducing the risk of accidents during harsh winter weather conditions.
Many factors go into line striping a parking lot – snowfall, vehicle traffic patterns, and more. These are all things that should be considered when devising the perfect line-striping plan for your business before winter falls upon us.
We’ll go over what you should keep in mind when devising your line striping plan and some tips that will help you develop an effective one.
Develop a Layout Plan Before Line Striping
Planning out your line striping layout for the parking lot before you do any actual line striping is just as important as actually line striping. When planning, consider all of your weather factors and what they can mean to how long certain types of line marking last.
The first step in creating any line stripe pattern for your parking lot is determining where everything should go. You will need to consider where the lines should be placed, how many line striping patterns you want, and what colors they should be.
Also, plan on where it would be best to stripe first so that you can start line marking in the right areas before moving on to others.
Clean the Surface of Your Parking Lot
Before line striping, it is important to make sure that your pavement surface is clean and free of dirt. Sweep the entire area with a broom or use a pressure washer if stubborn patches of debris remain on the lot. You can even hire a commercial power washing business from around where you live to get all of this done for you.
If you paint on a surface full of dirt, the line striping will not last as long and can easily flake off. It is important to have a clean parking lot before line striping so that your lines look great for years to come.
Choose the Right Paint Based on Your Surface and the Weather in Your Area
If you are line striping in an area with harsh winters, the paint you choose for your line stripe needs resistance against cracking. Various types of paints on the market will give you different results depending on how long they last and their application procedures.
Ensure ADA Compliance
ADA requires a certain ratio of handicapped parking spaces to be available on a lot. ADA also has a minimum size requirement for these spaces. Be sure your line striping plan is ADA compliant, or else people with disabilities will find it difficult to navigate your parking lot. Furthermore, it will be considered a federal law violation and you may end up paying some hefty fines.
With winter quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about your parking lot. If you want the perfect pre-winter line striping plan for your parking lot, get in touch with Laurel Asphalt in Mt. Pleasant. We offer free estimates on line striping services and are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Whether you need asphalt paving or just some new paint lines in your parking lot this winter, we can help.
The importance of pavement maintenance cannot be overstated. Asphalt crack sealing and filling is one such maintenance procedure that can keep your roads in good condition for years to come. The process involves the application of a sealant or filler material into cracks, defects, and other surface distresses to reduce water penetration and subsequent deterioration of the pavement structure.
While seal coating and crack filling help extend your pavement’s lifespan, a sub-standard crack filling job can hurt the surface in the long run as it ends up requiring frequent repairs and maintenance.
This blog post lists the best practices for crack filling and seal coating that create a distinct identity for freshly paved surfaces and separate them from other sub-standard pavement.
1) When to Perform Crack Sealing
A critical step to crack filling or sealing is determining whether your pavement conditions are appropriate for the service. For instance, you should never perform seal coating if water is present in cracks and joints since it could interfere with the adhesion of the material onto the asphalt surface.
Crack fill measures can be performed at any time during dry weather when there isn’t excess moisture or humidity on both sides of the paved surfaces. However, for best results it should be done after rainfall when the conditions are bright, sunny, and dry.
The seal coating and crack filling experts know the conditions of the place well and suggest when the time’s right for sealing the pavement. They also consider factors such as weather forecasts before starting crack-filling work!
2) Preparing the Surface for Sealing and Crack Filling
Working with asphalt sealcoating experts who know how to prepare the surface before applying the material ensures that everything goes as expected without any problems arising. Asphalt isn’t something you should try DIY; leave it up to professionals like Laurel Asphalt.
When ready for crack-filling work, the first thing we do is clear out what’s already there on your pavement. We remove old cracks, debris, and anything else sitting around – ensuring this leaves behind a new foundation where we will apply new coatings on top later on during the job.
3) Preparing the Right Material
Before the asphalt crack filling starts, we gather all the suitable materials required. For this process, our professionals utilize high-quality hot oil materials that are carefully calibrated and tested over years of experience in the field.
It’s essential to use suitable materials and the right device when applying liquids onto pavement cracks – else you will end up with uneven surfaces, which are not ideal for the surface. The material must be evenly spread out across your road surface so it can adequately dry after being heated by sun exposure throughout daytime hours.
If you want to enjoy professional seal coating and crack filling for your pavement, then Laurel Asphalt is the right choice for you. We offer first-rate commercial and residential paving services in Johnstown, ridding driveways and parking lots from the curse of excessive cracks and potholes. Get a free estimate from our team now!
Asphalt is a durable and resilient material that provides an excellent surface for your property. However, it’s prone to cracks and other defects that are a result of various factors. These cracks can lead to water infiltration, which can cause further damage to the asphalt surface.
Hiring professional contractors like Laurel Asphalt for regular asphalt maintenance is a great way to counter crack formation and restrict the damages they cause. Regular maintenance will prevent crack deterioration and ensure your surface gets the regular checkup it needs.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how crack sealing works and keeps your asphalt pavement strong for years to come.
1) What is Crack Sealing?
Crack sealing is the process of repairing cracks using an asphalt sealer. A crack sealing plan is a schedule for regular maintenance that addresses cracks and other issues before they turn into more significant problems.
The right time to repair cracks in your pavement depends on various factors; professional contractors recommend doing it every two years or so to keep the damages at bay. The pavement can sustain damage due to heavy traffic or natural elements like extreme weather conditions, so keeping up with the necessary repairs is crucial for its lasting strength.
When left untreated, even small cracks can cause significant wear and tear over time because water seeps under the surface when the road gets wet due to rain or snowmelt, causing more deterioration and leading to potholes.
2) When is the Best Time to Seal Cracks?
Some companies will only crack seal during the summer months, as asphalt can dry enough to allow for a practical application. Other professionals wait for the spring season to apply the sealant.
If you want a more personalized recommendation on what season works best for you, talk with a professional contractor about the best time of the year to seal the pavement cracks.
3) Set a Budget and Choose Contractors
Prepare a pavement maintenance budget, ensure that your asphalt maintenance and repair spending are within range, and invest smartly by hiring the right contractors.
You should also choose a contractor who has been in business for several years and can provide you with references from previous customers so you can learn more about their performance history.
Finally, try to find a company that offers warranties on their materials and any workmanship issues after the job is completed. These added services will give you peace of mind knowing if problems arise down the road, there are resources available to make it right again.
Cracking the asphalt sealing code can be challenging for inexperienced homeowners. This is why you need to hire professional crack sealing repair experts in Johnstown. Laurel Asphalt is your one source for all asphalt solutions, as we provide a range of pavement maintenance services designed to keep your property in check. So, get a free estimate from our team now and start working on the crack sealing plan.
Pavement repair contracting firms exist to install, repair, and maintain pavement the right way, but due diligence is required before hiring one. Ergo, it becomes essential for clients to know their right to ask questions before signing anything with a firm that could be potential scammers. We don’t mean to discriminate, but the world is made a certain way, and during times of crisis, one lousy apple pie can ruin the appetites of many.
Hiring a pavement repair contractor might be more complicated than simply picking the best one for the position. There are quotes to consider, portfolios to be verified, and project ethics to be asked about; you need to be a smart client to sniff out the truth behind a few good Yelp reviews!
Here are some great tips from Laurel Asphalt regarding some areas to look out for when you are in talks for a pavement repair project.
1. How long have they been active?
Always inquire about the years of experience under their belt. Make sure they have a valid license and authentic credentials for all the services they offer. Ask if they have had experience in repairing flood-damaged pavement. It’s not imprudent to ask about their credit history, as it defines their ability to perform on major pavement repair projects.
2. How long have they ‘successfully’ worked in the vicinity?
Local contractors tend to be the most reliable of firms since they have supplied to local demand over the years and are familiar with local sourcing costs and zone requirements. They probably know the locality like the back of their hand. Ask about their projects, their success with obtaining permits, any legal assistance they can provide, and clients who can attest to their services.
3. Are they licensed and up to date?
Never look at a shoddy certificate and decide the contractor is legitimate; get a hold of the local municipal authorities and confirm their license. In foresight, it will save you in legal matters if the job goes awry.
4. Do they have insurance & financing?
Some prestigious contractors provide project financing, and some require funding to complete their tasks until client payday arrives. Both tactics are suitable; however, ensure that the contractor is insured for construction-related damages. To keep the ball in your court, obtain a waiver, too, so you are safe from liabilities.
5. Do they have dedicated subcontracting?
These days it seems that everyone has trust issues, and they’re great for character development. Contractors can’t always have specialized equipment or engineering personnel on hand for complex paving and repair projects, so they have trusted subcontractors to get the job done. A contractor with a fluctuating subcontracting pool is a red flag, so best to avoid them.
6. How do they plan out the project?
Never agree on words; insist on a representation of how the repairs are scheduled. A timeline of sorts needs to exist, so you know how long the project will take. Communication channels and cost estimation is the most important in representing the scale of the project.
7. Would they mind if you documented the progress?
Lastly, if a contractor is okay with you making the rounds on a worksite out of the blue, then that is your gold star in securing the services of an honest repairs contractor who has nothing to hide.
If you are looking for all the necessary qualities we just elaborated on above, then (not boasting, but) Laurel Asphalt in Windber, PA, serving Cambria County, takes the cake!
If you require our services, we are available with one-stop solutions, and you can consult us freely on estimates here.
Asphalt stamped paving is an excellent option for homeowners who want to update their property with a new look. Stamped asphalt comes in many different colors and textures, allowing you to customize your driveway or walkway so it matches your home’s exterior design. In addition, stamped asphalt does not need to be sealed like traditional blacktop, meaning less time spent maintaining the surface and more time enjoying your stamped driveway!
This blog post will take an in-depth look at stamped asphalt pavement and how they can be customized to suit your needs.
Colors
Stamped asphalt paving is an excellent alternative to traditional stamped concrete because it can be colored and stamped to look like natural stone or brick, which means you can get the same kind of beauty without the cost of installing expensive materials. Stamped asphalt is available in many different colors and shades to give you just a right look for your home or business.
Textures
Stamped asphalt comes in various textures and designs that can be stamped onto any driveway, parking lot, or road surface. There are stamped asphalt colors that mimic brick, flagstone, and slate. Other stamped designs can look like cobblestone or wood decking. These different shapes and patterns give stamped asphalt paving a unique appearance.
Environmentally Friendly
Stamped asphalt is made using recycled materials and is eco-friendly. Its construction process uses up to 80% less CO² emissions than traditional asphalt paving, according to the Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR Program for Asphalt Pavement (EPA, 2012). In addition to being more eco-friendly than other types of asphalt pavements, stamped surfaces are also highly durable and long-lasting.
How is Texture Imprinted on Stamped Asphalt?
To imprint a texture onto stamped asphalt, workers first start by heating the surface of the blacktop with an infrared machine. The blacktop is stamped with a pattern once heated to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 Celsius). The result of this process leaves permanent imprints on the surface.
Coloring Stamped Asphalt
After the asphalt stamping procedure is completed, an acrylic-based paint coating is sprayed or rolled onto the surface using a roller or machine. This provides a subtle, non-slip finish available in various colors to complement your design.
Acrylic-based paint coatings are a great way to add a touch of style and personality to your stamped asphalt design. They are also an excellent way to protect your investment and keep your stamped asphalt looking its best for years.
Laurel Asphalt has been building roads for over 25 years. We provide asphalt paving services, including commercial and residential projects, parking lots, airport runways, and more. We offer free estimates on our service so that you can take advantage of our stamped asphalt paving services without any worries about cost. Get in touch with us today in Pennsylvania, to see how installing stamped asphalt can add to your curb appeal.
Asphalt is the most widely used material for paving road surfaces globally, and this has been the case for over 100 years. Asphalt pavement is made of a mixture of asphalt binder, aggregate (generally sand), water, and additives that give asphalt its unique properties. An asphalt pavement is often designed to be flexible with minimal cracking, which is why they are so popular. Asphalt pavement has other advantages too: low cost, durability, long life span, and ease of installation.
Asphalt pavement requires maintenance to ensure its longevity and continued serviceability. As such, asphalt paving companies typically provide preventive maintenance services and repair or reconstruction services when necessary. This is how the life expectancy of an asphalt pavement can be extended by many years – or even decades.
Asphalt preventive maintenance should be done at least twice a year or more. As a property owner, you want to make sure your pavement is in good condition. Routine preventative maintenance ensures the safety of all who use it, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. It also reduces repair costs because most major damage occurs as a result of neglecting minor issues.
To help you maintain your asphalt pavement and keep it in tip-top shape, we have compiled this brief checklist. Do your best to follow it strictly to get the best return on your asphalt investment.
Sweep the Premises
You will need to sweep your property to remove any debris which can damage the pavement. Dirt and debris cause water to accumulate on pavement, creating the perfect environment for erosion. Thus, debris and dirt should be removed from all surfaces by regular sweeping.
Also, make sure to remove all weeds as they can grow into the cracks in your pavement and cause damage.
Find the Cracks and Seal Them
Look for cracks in your asphalt pavement. A crack is a break in the surface of an asphalt pavement. Cracks may be caused by many different factors, including:
- Aging or shrinking asphalt
- More than one pavement which do not line up well during construction
- High-traffic zones where vehicles are constantly driving over the same spot on the road and creating repetitive stress points at that point
- Soil settlement
The most common crack in asphalt is the longitudinal crack that appears parallel to a roadway lane. In addition, transverse cracks may appear perpendicular or at an angle to the direction of traffic flow in areas with high repetitive stresses from heavy vehicle loads and vehicular turning movements.
It is essential to seal the cracks as soon as you identify them. Asphalt sealant is a liquid material that can be applied to asphalt surfaces to patch cracks and holes and waterproof the surface from moisture penetration.
Sealcoat Your Asphalt
Sealcoating not only gives your surface aesthetic appeal – it also creates an invisible barrier which protects the asphalt from harmful elements including water seepage, dirt and debris, and exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Without sealcoating, asphalt pavement will be more susceptible to wear. It is best to sealcoat every 2 – 3 years.
Restore Faded Pavement Markings
Faded pavement markings can be a severe safety hazard for both motorists and pedestrians. Faded pavement markings must be repainted as soon as possible to avoid any vehicle accidents or pedestrian injuries.
The team at Laurel Asphalt is committed to providing you the best asphalt services in Ebensburg, PA. Our highly experienced staff would be happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have about preventive maintenance on asphalt surfaces. Get in touch for a free estimate today!
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