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!
One of the essential assets you have on your property is your utility system, which includes all the lines and pipes that bring water to your home or business. It’s easy for these pipes to become damaged by external forces such as tree roots, rodents, or even weather-related issues. When damage occurs in one section of your utility system, it can impact other parts downstream from it.
When this happens, and you don’t know what to do – call a professional utility repair company! If the costs of utility repair make you uneasy, below are five reasons why hiring professionals is worth every penny.
1. Ensures Safety
Utility repairs can be dangerous if not done correctly. Professionals have been trained to handle utility line issues while minimizing any safety risks involved with their work.
This includes keeping others out of harm’s way during the service process and repairing damaged utilities without creating additional hazards like gas leaks or electrical fires.
2. Provides Fast and Efficient Utility Repairs
Utility repair companies have the experience and knowledge to complete utility repairs with minimal outages. The utility repair service providers are always on call 24 hours a day, seven days per week, for emergencies so that they can address any issues quickly when you need them most.
3. Professionals Offer Warranties on Work
A work warranty is a document that guarantees the utility repair company will make repairs for up to a specific year after completing services. A utility service provider with a work warranty often offers more reliable and timelier customer service than contractors who do not offer warranties.
The utility repair company’s warranty on their work guarantees satisfaction if the repair they performed doesn’t hold up for the customer.
4. Provides Accurate Repair Assessment
When utility lines are found to be defective, an accurate assessment is needed to identify the location of the fault. Without this information, any repairs that might be attempted could significantly disrupt utility services for other people.
A professional will have the training and experience to identify utility line faults by using various methods. These professionals will have detailed knowledge of utility locations and tools they can bring with them for accurate assessment in remote areas or when utility lines are underground.
5. Offers Peace of Mind
You can be confident your utility system is in good hands with a professional utility service provider. They have the tools, skills, and knowledge to fix most issues quickly, saving you time and money on repairs that may not be necessary. Plus, they’ll get it done right the first time!
At Laurel Asphalt, we offer professional utility repair services. If you’re looking for a reliable utility repair service company in Cambria County, PA to fix your pipes or sewer line, give us a call today. We have the experience and expertise necessary to provide quality service promptly and at an affordable price.
Our friendly customer support team is always available to answer your questions about the process of getting your utilities fixed quickly and efficiently by one of our expert technicians.
It’s not every day that you find decorative streetscape crosswalks in the United States due to its tricky and challenging process. However, the experts at Laurel Asphalt, with their experience and diligence, never failed to amaze their clients with eye-catching decorative streetscape crosswalks that not only provide added beautification to their businesses but also improve safety around their property.
Did you know that decorative streetscape crosswalks are a great way to improve your business’s curb appeal and generate more foot traffic? This blog post talks about five reasons why your business needs a decorative streetscape crosswalk!
1. Increases Safety
A decorative streetscape crosswalk sends a clear message to drivers that pedestrians are crossing the street and helps create more space between them. Pedestrians will feel safer as they know that cars can’t drive over their path without stopping first, which gives them time to stop if necessary.
A decorative design can also include bold colors for increased visibility at night or in the rain.
2. Creates a Unique Storefront
A decorative streetscape crosswalk will not only enhance your business’s storefront, but it’ll also create a unique identity. It won’t be long before people want to visit you just because of the decorative features in front of your store!
If you’re looking for ways to stand out from the rest, this is one idea that has proven to be a winner.
3. Decorative Crosswalks are Cost-Effective
A decorative streetscape crosswalk does not require any repairs or upkeep, saving you money in the long term!
Additionally, they are available in a wide variety of decorative designs!
4. Decorative Crosswalks Improve Walkability
A decorative crosswalk is an easy way to make your storefront more accessible for customers and pedestrians alike. They’ll also provide the necessary signage so that people will know when it’s safe to walk.
5. They Help Maintain Curb Appeal
A decorative crosswalk is an attractive way to maintain curb appeal. However, the crosswalks must be cleaned and maintained regularly to retain their attractiveness.
Moreover, the installation process should also consider the type of surface that will hold up best under continual heavy traffic. If you need help with this service, then contact Laurel Asphalt today!
6. Provides a Sense of Security to Visitors
A decorative streetscape crosswalk will do wonders for your business. When employees and visitors can safely get from point A to point B, they feel more secure in the area. You want people coming into your establishment to feel welcome and intrigued by what you have to offer, so why not show them a little bit of effort? It’s worth it to have decorative crosswalks – it will provide them with a sense of security.
At Laurel Asphalt, we offer premium quality decorative streetscape crosswalk solutions to commercial property owners in Johnstown. Our experts are well-versed in decorative crosswalk design and installation, so it’s easy to see why we are the best choice for your decorative streetscape needs. Get a free quote today!
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