http://pavingcorporation.com Residential & Commercial Paving Company | Paving Corporation™ Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:49:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Asphalt Contractor Insight | Best Practices for Asphalt Parking Lots & Asphalt Driveways http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/20/asphalt-contractor-insight-best-practices-for-asphalt-parking-lots-asphalt-driveways/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/20/asphalt-contractor-insight-best-practices-for-asphalt-parking-lots-asphalt-driveways/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:32:16 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=5023 Continue reading →]]> Asphalt Contractor Best Practices In this article we will take a look at the best practices followed by asphalt contractors when it comes to installing a brand new asphalt parking lot or driveway. We will dig into the details of the different layers and offer key information regarding their purpose and important factors that will impact their strength and longevity.

  

Sub-Base Layer

The sub-base layer is absolutely the most important component of any asphalt driveway or asphalt parking lot. If the sub-base layer is not properly and professionally installed, it doesn’t matter how well the base layer and asphalt layer is paved there will most certainly be issues. When you think of the sub-base layer, think of the point where the foundation of your house meets the soil. That soil represents the sub-base and if it is not uniformly compacted it may begin to give and adjust to the weight of your house. If this occurs, it won’t be long until structural issues appear within the foundation and/or the structural integrity of the walls, floors and the ceilings. It is much the same with the sub-base layer of your driveway or parking lot. If it is not correctly cleared, graded and compacted it can lead to many additional problems down the road.

Steps for sub-base layer installation:
  • Clear The Area
    • Before any aggregate or asphalt is applied, it is important that the entire area designated for the driveway or parking lot is completely free of all rock, debris and vegetation.
  • Grading
    • Then grading will be preformed to level the soil.
  • Compaction
    • Compaction and compaction testing will then be performed ro create a sub-base lay.er that does not yield to incredibly heavy weight and offers uniform strength across its surface.
    • If there are particular ‘soft spots’ that do not pass the compaction test, then the area will be cut out and filled in with 3” surge rock. This will create a ‘bridge’ over the troubled area and offer additional support.
    • It is very important during the compaction test to make sure we are down to bare dirt. If stumps and other objects are identified, they will need to be removed before a successful compaction can be completed.
    • The compaction process and compaction test is optional. This adds additional expense to the driveway and parking lot paving project but also will add years to the finished product. A general rule of thumb is that if the compaction test is not performed – a new asphalt driveway or parking lot (with proper maintenance will last 10-15 years. With proper compaction and compaction testing, a new asphalt driveway or parking lot can last up to 30 years.
  

Base Layer

The base layer is an aggregate, such as crushed rock, crushed limestone, etc. For asphalt parking lots and driveways, the base layer will be placed directly on the prepared sub-base layer. This base layer can also be known as the ‘crush run’. This crushed rock will allow the sub-base to breathe. Without the base layer the moisture from the earth would not be able to come up and evaporate. If the moisture is trapped in the sub-base layer, it can be very detrimental to the uniform integrity of the sub-base layer as it expands and contracts in the passing of the seasons. For the base layer of asphalt parking lots and driveways, we will create a 6” layer by installing and packing the crushed rock.

Binder Asphalt Layer (optional)

For asphalt pavement in areas where heavy trucks will be present, such as a trucking terminal, warehouse or factory, it may be necessary to add an additional layer of binder asphalt. The binder asphalt layer will be mixed with a larger aggregate that is used on the asphalt layer, such as a one-inch aggregate. You can think of this layer more as the base layer, but tar is included with the crushed aggregate to hold and strengthen the aggregate.

Asphalt Layer

When most people think of a parking lot or driveway, the asphalt layer is the first thing that comes to mind. The asphalt is the surface layer that we drive and walk on and is specifically designed to handle the wear and tear of traffic. It is very important with the asphalt layer to have just the right amount of density. If the asphalt is too dense, it will be impossible to get the right amount of compaction when rolling the asphalt. If there is too much density, when it gets hot out the asphalt will get marked up and scar from turning tires. With a properly installed sub-base and base layer, we recommend a two-inch layer of asphalt.

If the asphalt parking lot or asphalt driveway also has a binder layer, then we will generally apply a 1.5” asphalt surface mix layer. We will also add more sand and pea gravel to add additional strength to the asphalt layer.

We hope that you have found this article to be informative and helpful. We understand how important it is to makes sure you are getting the best possible paving results at a fair price and hopefully this article will help you make sure you're asking the right questions during your estimating process. Paving Corporation™ is leading asphalt contractor and proudly serves the Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, Raleigh and Tampa metropolitan areas.

You may find some of our additional pages related to asphalt paving useful as well:  ]]> http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/20/asphalt-contractor-insight-best-practices-for-asphalt-parking-lots-asphalt-driveways/feed/ 0 Asphalt Contractor Insight – Perfect For Parking Lots http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/17/asphalt-contractor-insight-perfect-for-parking-lots/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/17/asphalt-contractor-insight-perfect-for-parking-lots/#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2012 02:58:21 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=5017 Continue reading →]]> Asphalt | Perfect For Parking Lots In previous posts, we have offered insight into the maintenance of asphalt parking lots and the importance of sealcoating. In this post we will offer a number of reasons on why asphalt is such a great paving material choice for parking lots.


1. Versatility – Due to the overall strength and malleability of asphalt – it is a great material for pretty much any type of pavement, including driveways, highways, running trails and especially parking lots. A well-paved and protected asphalt parking lot is a thing of beauty that can stand up to extreme changes in temperature, handle moisture and rain and also maintain its strength even up against man-made materials such as gasoline, anti-freeze, oil, etc.

2. Economical – When asphalt parking lots are installed with a proper base and sub-base and well-maintained they can last for 15 – 30 years. This makes it one of the best choices as well as most economical when considering your parking lot options.

3. Quiet – Due to the soft and malleable surface of asphalt, it offers an incredibly quiet surface. This is a great for roadways as well as parking lots, offering a quiet and calm environment for your patrons.

4. Sustainability – Did you know that asphalt pavement is one of the top recycled materials in the United States?

5. Longevity – When asphalt parking lots receive regular maintenance the richness and beauty of the asphalt surface can be maintained for 15-30 years.

Paving Corporation™ is a premier asphalt contractor that specializes in commercial and residential projects, including; parking lots, driveways, running trails, etc. We are known for professionally installing, repairing and maintaining asphalt parking lots and look forward to assisting you in any way that we can. You may also enjoy visiting a few of our other asphalt pages: ]]> http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/17/asphalt-contractor-insight-perfect-for-parking-lots/feed/ 0 Asphalt Contractor Insight – Parking Lot Care & Maintenance http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/15/asphalt-contractor-insight-parking-lot-care-maintenance/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/15/asphalt-contractor-insight-parking-lot-care-maintenance/#comments Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:09:18 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=4999 Continue reading →]]> Protect Your Asphalt Parking Lot Investment In this day and age, it goes without saying that we want our investments to last as well as look great for as long as possible. We’ve put together the following list based upon years of experience on maintaining as well as replacing asphalt parking lots. These important maintenance tips will cover most of the major issues you could face and will save you a lot of headaches and worries down the road.

Sealcoating

An asphalt parking lot’s surface is not impervious to the effects of a hot sun, from the rain or man-made liquids, such as antifreeze, oil, etc. Sealcoating is a great way to protect the asphalt from the sun’s harmful UV rays as well as the potential for cracking. It is recommended that sealcoating be reapplied every two to four years. The asphalt parking lot will need to be properly cleared of debris as well as any liquid stains or substances. It is important to scrub any stained areas with a commercial cleaner and then power wash the entire parking lot surface. Once this is complete, the parking lot is properly prepped and ready for sealcoating. Although a professional asphalt contractor is not required for sealcoating, if you are not experienced with sealcoating we recommend hiring a professional.

Crack Filling

When it comes to cracking, the sooner they are addressed the better. Any reputable asphalt contractor will tell you, being attentive and proactive will protect your investment and add years to your asphalt parking lot. Early treatment will keep the cracks from growing. Crack filling supplies can be found at any hardware store and doesn’t require a professional asphalt contractor. Even if you do not have previous experience working with asphalt, crack filling can certainly be a DIY project.

Pot Hole Patching

Just like with cracking, when it comes to patching holes time is not on your side. You want to address any holes that are forming in your asphalt parking lot as soon as possible. Proper treatment will inhibit the hole from growing in size as well as the limit the results of cars driving over the pot holes. To address the pot hole – it should be cleaned of any and all debris, such as leaves, branches, tire irons, etc. The hole should then be filled with a cold asphalt filler to about one inch higher than the surrounding asphalt surface. The next step is to pack down the cold asphalt filler. For this step we recommend that you leverage the experience of a professional asphalt contractor.

Paving Corporation™ is a premier asphalt contractor that specializes in asphalt parking lots, driveways, running trails, etc. We hope that you have found this particular blog on caring for your asphalt parking lot educational and insightful. We offer our asphalt contractor services in Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, Raleigh and Tampa metro areas. You may also enjoy visiting some of our other asphalt pages: ]]> http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/15/asphalt-contractor-insight-parking-lot-care-maintenance/feed/ 0 Concrete Contractor Insight – Why Do Concrete Driveways Crack? http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/13/concrete-contractor-insight-why-do-concrete-driveways-crack/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/13/concrete-contractor-insight-why-do-concrete-driveways-crack/#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:36:27 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=4982 Continue reading →]]> For starters, let’s talk a little bit about the strength of concrete and then we can get into what specifically causes concrete driveways to crack. The strength of concrete is determined by its PSI, which stands for pounds per square inch. The PSI is determined by the ratio of water to cement. Concrete utilized for driveways is usually in 3,000 – 4,000 PSI range.

 

Factors that cause concrete driveways to crack, include:
  • Shrinkage
    • Shrinkage occurs when too much water has been added to the cement mix, thus leading to a watery mixture that will shrink during the curing process. The shrinkage can be ¼ inch per 50 feet.
  • Expansion and Contraction
    • As temperatures rise and dip throughout the seasons, concrete will expand and contract. If concrete driveway is not properly installed to handle this expansion and contraction it can be the culprit of cracking.
  • Heavy Loads
    • Extremely heavy vehicles or other loads that pass over concrete driveways that were not designed to handle the excessive pressure can begin to crack. Reinforcement within the concrete may be needed for driveways that will experience dump trucks, semi-trucks and other heavy vehicles.
  • Sub-Base Issues
    • If the sub-base layer, that resides between the ground and the concrete driveway’s surface, was not properly diagnosed and installed there can be cracking issues. A sub-base with accurate thickness and proper compaction is of utmost importance.
  • Control Joints Not Properly Installed
    • If the depth of the control joints are either too deep or too shallow or are not installed at the properly intervals – cracking may certainly occur.
The good news is that each of the above factors that cause concrete driveways to crack can be managed and minimized by a professional concrete contractor. Paving Corporation™’s paving technicians have a wealth of experience and take the time to properly diagnose and install a beautiful and structurally-sound concrete driveway time after time. When it comes to paving, shortcuts never pay off in the long run. Make sure you find a reputable concrete contractor that you can trust and that has your best interests at heart.

Paving Corporation™ is a professional asphalt, paver and concrete contractor that specializes in concrete driveways. We service the Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, Raleigh and Tampa metropolitan areas. You may also find some of the following concrete driveway pages useful: ]]> http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/08/13/concrete-contractor-insight-why-do-concrete-driveways-crack/feed/ 0 Paver Driveway Ideas – Color Considerations http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/07/20/paver-driveway-ideas-color-considerations/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/07/20/paver-driveway-ideas-color-considerations/#comments Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:57:36 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=4125 Continue reading →]]> Paver driveways are beautiful and intriguing and can add a heavy dose of curb appeal to any home. The amount of paver driveway options on the market place today can be overwhelming, from choosing the paver pattern, paver style, paver size, paver texture and let's not forget the color of the pavers. Over the years, I would say that choosing the color is the most frightening and exhilarating choice that homeowners make regarding their new paver driveway.

In this post we'll take a look at a few paver driveway pictures and illustrate a number of the color options available in the marketplace today. We hope these driveway images spur some creativity and possibly offer some fresh directions for you on your path to a new driveway.


The paver driveway idea featured in the above picture offers a wonderful blue-grey hue that incorporates five different colors of pavers. These colors create a more sophisticated character that works incredibly well with the smaller square pavers and their cobblestone style.  You can also just barely see the brick walkway to the right that leads to the front entrance to the home.



The above driveway photo illustrates how well a driveway can compliment the Mediterranean character of the home.  The variance in color of the driveway pavers adds additional interest to the pattern and salmon, red and yellowish tones play perfectly against the homes exterior color.



In the paver driveway idea pictured above the homeowners opted for a single color of pavers in a brick color. This color offers a more traditional, craftsmen and/or colonial style to the front yard and perfectly compliments the craftsmen style of the home that is not visible in the above photo. Notice how the pavers also flow into the walkway leading to the main entrance of the home.



In the paver driveway idea featured in the photograph above notice how the warm tones of the roof, trim and mustard-tone of the house has been repeated in the driveway.  The smaller shape and cobblestone-feel of the driveway is right inline with the style of the home as well.  This certainly makes for a grand entrance and you can look at just the driveway and know exactly what to anticipate when it comes to the home.



In the above driveway paver idea the owners decided upon a two-tone color pattern that brings the herringbone pattern to the forefront. The soothing sandstone colors are also incorporated into the hardscape features and the color of the home. One thing we really like about this paver driveway is how neither of the two tones selected for the driveway are an exact match to the exterior color of the house or the hardscape features. By there not being an exact match it create more tension and thus more interest.


Paving Corporation™ hopes that you have found this blog post regarding color selection for paver driveways useful. Thanks for stopping by and we look forward to helping you in any way that we can with your upcoming paver driveway project. We offer paver contractor services in the Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, Raleigh and Tampa metropolitan areas.


]]> http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/07/20/paver-driveway-ideas-color-considerations/feed/ 0 Eco-Friendly Concrete Driveway Ideas – Rural, Modern and Sophisticated http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/27/eco-friendly-concrete-driveway/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/27/eco-friendly-concrete-driveway/#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:21:01 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=3405 Continue reading →]]> Call it a throw back to more traditional driveways that used less concrete, call it a new trend that allows more water to be absorbed into the ground rather than pouring out into the street and down the rain gutters... whatever you call it, call it a great eco-friendly approach that can also look rather dapper. The following concrete driveway ideas and designs offer a few variances in the same approach of adding some green space and/or better water absorption.  One thing that we love about these is that you can really add character to the driveway that compliments the house and landscaping.

The concrete driveway photo above utilizes a strip of pea gravel in the center of the driveway to allow for greater water absorption.  We also love the way the center band, landscaping and huge stacked stone adds to the modern character of the home.



In the concrete driveway design in the above photo it almost looks more like a lawn than a driveway!  Talk about a 'green' driveway!  This definitely allows for more water absorption and certainly less concrete required.  The simple driveway design along with the stone steps and retaining walls compliment the rural, laid-back feel of the house.



We love the eco-friendly driveway idea in the image above.  In this example, the homeowners decided to go a little wider on the concrete slabs allowing for a wider sweet spot for maneuvering your car on the driveway.  Also, notice how the wider slabs feel more contemporary than the thinner slabs in the previous photo. The homeowners also opted to dress up the concrete driveway with a nice paver apron that fans out as it meets the road.

We hope this post gives you a few options to think about as your planning your next green, eco-friendly, permeable driveway whether you're leaning towards a modern drive or just a good ole' fashion rural driveway there are a lot of driveway designs to consider.  Thanks for stopping by!
]]> http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/27/eco-friendly-concrete-driveway/feed/ 0 Concrete Driveway Ideas – The Stone Apron http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/22/concrete-driveway-ideas-the-stone-apron/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/22/concrete-driveway-ideas-the-stone-apron/#comments Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:47:31 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=3304 Continue reading →]]> When its time to repair or replace your existing concrete driveway, you may want to consider adding a some additional personality. A great concrete driveway idea, as we've touched upon in previous posts, is to add an apron to the entrance of your drive. This can be an economical option that really adds more interest and character to the entrance of your home.

The following driveway photos will give you a few ideas on placement and size of these stone aprons.  The stone aprons even gather more visual power when the driveways descend from the street back towards the house, as you can see in these photos.

In the concrete driveway photo above the apron is a little longer than you usually see with this type of apron but it looks great with the width as well as the long length of the driveway.  There is about 4 feet of concrete between the stone apron and the street.

The stone chosen for the apron above includes some red and yellow hues to that work well with the red brick color of the house and the random pattern breaks up the strict pattern of the bricks and the uniformity of the concrete driveway.  Also, a nice touch to use the same stone for the walkway to the front door.

In the above concrete driveway the stone apron is flush to the street and sits at the highest point of the driveway.  What a great introduction to the house and notice how the color of the stone apron corresponds to the stonework on the home.

]]> http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/22/concrete-driveway-ideas-the-stone-apron/feed/ 0 Asphalt Driveway Ideas – Tasteful and Economical http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/19/asphalt-driveway-ideas-tasteful-and-economical/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/19/asphalt-driveway-ideas-tasteful-and-economical/#comments Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:03:50 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=3240 Continue reading →]]>

The above asphalt driveway offers a great option with the paver apron as you enter from the street as well as a wider-than-usual paver border that really highlights the border and introduces the landscaping as well as the color-tone of the home.


The raised paver border in the above asphalt driveway photograph is a great economical choice for long driveways that are looking for a little additional visual interest that also offers a more 'complete look' than the typical edging of an asphalt driveway.


In the above photo, the asphalt driveway has been accentuated with with a brick border as well as brick bands that run the width of the driveway.  We really like the look of brick against well-maintained asphalt and the bands do a great job of breaking up the uniformity of the long driveway.



When working with a driveway that has some natural curvature it can be very impressive to play up the curves with a paver pattern, like in the example above.  The paver area also introduces the walkway at the side of the house and creates a lot more interest than would be achieved if the entire area was just black-top.


The above asphalt driveway shows a simple paver border that is a little more narrow than a few of our previous examples.  This is another option, but seems to feel less successful than previous photos.  We feel there are a few reasons for this:  1) the border is too narrow to create much of a visual impact, 2) landscaping is not pushed up against the border so the border has less impact, 3) a paver apron at the street entrance would have also created more interest in the pavers and broken up the uniformity of the asphalt surface.

Thank you for stopping by!  We hope that these asphalt driveway designs and ideas will get you thinking of how to personalize your next driveway.

]]> http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/19/asphalt-driveway-ideas-tasteful-and-economical/feed/ 0 Concrete Driveway Ideas – Simple Design Elements with Big Impact http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/11/concrete-driveway-ideas-simpledesign-elements-with-big-impact/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/11/concrete-driveway-ideas-simpledesign-elements-with-big-impact/#comments Mon, 11 Jun 2012 22:59:59 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=3121 Continue reading →]]> Let's admit it right up front... few people get excited when they hear the words 'concrete' and 'driveway' used in the same sentence. Sure, it is a great choice when it comes to overall cost, lack of maintenance and longevity but when you walk through these reasons with your neighbor after your new driveway has been poured it quickly starts to sound like your feeling the need to defend your driveway decision.

The key to concrete driveways is that you have to assume you're going to be looking at a vast area of white and its important to find some ways to dress-up the vastness by adding a little character through design elements. These design elements usually work best when they're understated and inline with the style of your home and landscaping. Below we've included a number of concrete driveway designs and ideas that address this 'vastness' dilemma.



The concrete driveway in the above photo has two design elements including the brick border as well as the placement of grass running down the middle of the driveway. The brick border is more of a traditional option but when included with the grass runner makes this driveway much more engaging.



Another approach to address the uniform plane of the concrete driveway is to focus on the surface itself. In the above photo the aggregate that usually resides below the concrete surface has been exposed, creating a nuanced texture. The driveway ending before the garage and the pea gravel border perfectly reflect the modern and eco-friendly feel of the home.



The stone patterns with the grass borders in front of the garage doors breaks up the vast white area of the concrete driveway as it approaches the garage and adds a great design element that is right inline with the style of the home.



In the above image, notice the smaller concrete slabs on either side of the brick herringbone center. This driveway was also really calling for a more defined edge to balance the brick design and so the borders were raised a bit and not sectioned off at the same lengths as the concrete slabs of the driveway.



The concrete driveway in the picture above makes use of three unusual and high-impact design elements, 1) saw-cut markings and control joints that create an interesting grid pattern across the concrete plane, 2) the organic edge of the driveway that mirrors the shape of the tree trunks, 3) the stone borders which also add additional interest to the long concrete driveway.



We love this approach of mixing the modern design of the smaller concrete slabs with the traditional grass runner down the middle of the driveway. The owners also opted for repeating the pattern from the driveway to the walkway running along the front of the house. Once again, the driveway design is right inline with the style and character of the home.



The driveway in the photo above also has the exposed aggregate surface along with a traditional concrete border. You can notice that control joints (deeper horizontal lines that run the width of the driveway) have the concrete border as well. This is a great way to add interest and character that would have been lost if the owners had opted for a traditional concrete driveway.



Usually the horizontal and vertical lines you see on concrete driveways are more structurally focused than design-oriented. The lines are called control joints and they are designed to receive any cracking that could start to form in the driveway. The control joints accept the cracks and thus the concrete's surface remains uniform and undamaged. In the above photograph these control joints (or in some cases just shallow saw-cut lines) are used to create a visual element that adds interest as well as perceived width to a rather narrow concrete driveway.

Thanks so much for stopping by! We hope that the photos and images included with this post introduce you to some design options and ideas when you start to think about your next concrete driveway. It is amazing how a few small design elements can add so much character and interest.

]]> http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/11/concrete-driveway-ideas-simpledesign-elements-with-big-impact/feed/ 0 Concrete Driveways – Care and Maintenance http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/08/concrete-driveways-care-and-maintenance/ http://pavingcorporation.com/2012/06/08/concrete-driveways-care-and-maintenance/#comments Fri, 08 Jun 2012 18:48:27 +0000 admin http://pavingcorporation.com/?p=3103 Continue reading →]]>
One of the biggest advantages of a concrete driveway is the relatively minor amount of maintenance that is required to keep it looking great and protected.  Concrete unfortunately is not 100% maintenance free but can be well-maintained with a minimum amount of effort. As with most things involving our homes or places of business, a driveway can be a significant investment and so it may be worth a little time and attention to get the most enjoyment and longevity you can out of your existing concrete driveway.

When it comes to any type of concrete surface, especially concrete driveways, there are a number of care and maintenance tips to keep in mind.  With our experiencing over the years and coming across concrete driveways in various stages of neglect and disrepair we thought it would be best to offer a proactive list to make sure your driveway stays well-protected and looking the best it possibly can.

1. Keep driveway relatively clean of debris.
For as strong as concrete is structurally, it’s surface is somewhat porous and exposed to the elements.  Leaves and branches that remain on concrete surfaces and are exposed to moisture and rain can stain the surface of the concrete over time.  It is best to sweep or remove debris and clutter from the concrete surface on a fairly regular basis.

2. Utilize concrete sealers when necessary.
When your driveway’s concrete surface begins to show wear its a good time to look into sealing the concrete.  In the areas that we service, such as Raleigh, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando and Dalllas, a good general rule of thumb for concrete sealing your driveway is every two years.

3.  Don’t let those stains hang around!
The longer that a stain sets on a concrete surface the harder it will be to remove.  If you have a well-protected sealed surface it will be harder for the stain to get down into the concrete but the sealant is most definitely not impenetrable.  The best advice is to address any noticeable stains early and often.  If the culprit is gasoline, oil or any other hazardous material associated with automobiles it is best to clean it up immediately.    The use of a pressure washer usually does an outstanding job of removing these potential stains from the surface and it is certainly more cost effective than dealing with a stubborn concrete stain that has had time to fully set in.

4. Avoid chemicals when it comes to snow and ice.
We don’t see much snow in the South, but when and if we do it is always best to use rock salt or sand for de-icing purposes rather than chemicals.  Most of the de-icing products on the market include chemicals such as ammonium nitrates and/or ammonium sulfates which can bring unneeded damage to your driveway by causing moisture to initially thaw and then refreeze which can be the culprit of concrete spalling and scaling.  Also note that newer varieties of concrete can be more susceptible to damage from salt and sand may be the best bet.

Concrete is an amazing building and paving material that is a great choice when paving driveways, parking lots, patios and pool decks.  By following the few tips listed above you can keep your concrete driveway looking great and well-protected for years to come.


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