4 Things You Should Know Before Your Commercial Asphalt Job in 2018

The new year brings brand new opportunities for professionals in the commercial asphalt industry. The slow, but steady five percent growth trends of prior years are expected to continue through 2018. As a result, you might be seeing an influx of work opportunities coming your way. When the work comes in, you will want to be ready to outperform your competitors and become the best asphalt company in Colorado. Thankfully, you can attend to the four following areas to make sure you are prepared for your upcoming commercial asphalt jobs.

Partner Strengths and Weaknesses

Your business partner is your greatest asset and also your greatest liability. You must know your partner’s strengths and weaknesses to make sure you can collaborate on all your projects. Assess your partner’s abilities along with your own to ensure your company can meet the challenges that come your way. If you cannot create a balanced team, consider restructuring your commercial asphalt companies before moving on with large-scale commercial asphalt jobs.

Lot Location and Restrictions

Numerous challenges can arise due to the lot size and location, so it is important to clearly understand the project limitations from the beginning. Look at all the possible scenarios and make sure to have several contingency plans on hand in case any of the identified potential challenges actually arise. You should also research the building restrictions in your target work areas to understand how to proceed with your projects. If you start jobs without paying attention to local regulations, you may end up having to redo portions of the project or even halt your work altogether.

Job Size, Start to Finish

You must adequately plan for small and large-scale projects to complete your jobs by the deadline. You can provide quality work for projects of all sizes by finding a way to easily scale your operations. You should have fluid access to a workforce and materials to projects of any size moving forward as expected. Open up your network of asphalt maintenance companies and professionals to have overflow workers available when the job demand extra hands.

Seasonal Weather Patterns

As an asphalt professional, you must pay close attention to seasonal weather patterns to avoid project disruptions. Adverse temperatures and conditions can affect the quality of your finished product, so you must know how to proceed when those situations arise. You can look at weather patterns from prior years to see when it would be best to start your outdoor projects. For this area, you also need to have contingency plans in case weather conditions rapidly change in the middle of your projects.

Starting Your Commercial Asphalt Job in 2018

By addressing the above issues ahead of time, you can achieve great results on all your commercial asphalt jobs in 2018 and beyond. Remember to readdress each category at the start of every project you receive to ensure you are on the right track. In the end, you will never be caught off guard and unprepared to complete the job by the deadline by taking a measured approach to your business activities. If you are ready to acquire support for your company’s endeavors, contact Superior Aggregates today.

The process of laying concrete & asphalt

You may need concrete replacement or asphalt replacement. No matter how well-laid the surfaces are, they will eventually wear out. You also may need new asphalt or concrete on a substrate that previously did not have a prepared surface. This article will provide you with an easy to understand overview of these processes.

Laying Concrete & Asphalt: Preparing the Substrate & Remove the Existing Surface

The first step in laying both concrete and asphalt is to remove the existing surface. Obviously, if the surface is simply earth, this step is not necessary. However, many times when laying concrete and asphalt there is already a surface there. Removing the existing service often includes jackhammering it apart and removing it piece by piece. It is not as time-consuming as you might think, however.

Compact the Soil

Once the existing service has been removed, it is time to compact the soil. This will be the first step in the process if there is not already concrete or asphalt in the location where you’re laying the new surface. Compacting this soil may not seem like an important process to someone who is not familiar with laying concrete and asphalt. However, it is very important. It actually may be the most important part of the process. Properly compacting the soil will help ensure that the concrete or asphalt laid on top of it does not crack and does last a long time.

Cover Soil With Crushed Rock & Pack It (for Asphalt)

Once the soil has been properly compacted, the contractors will need to cover it with crushed rock and pack it tightly if they are applying asphalt. This step in the process is not necessary if concrete is being laid, but it is an integral part of the process for asphalt. This crushed rock substrate offers an excellent surface for asphalt to sit on top of. Just putting asphalt on top of the soil would not work because it would not adhere properly to the soil. This could lead to an unstable and even dangerous surface. Once the crushed rock has been applied, it must be packed. This is usually done with the roller vehicle. Next, the contractors will allow the soil to settle for roughly seven days.

Choose a Thickness

Before the concrete or asphalt can be laid, a thickness must be decided upon. The standard thickness ranges from one and a half to three inches. The decision is yours in the end, but it is highly recommended that you listen to the recommendation of the contractor you’re working with. They are highly experienced and trained professionals and they have done many similar jobs so they will know the thickness that will work best for your situation.

Pour the Surface

As you might have guessed, the next step is to pour the surface. Concrete can simply be poured out of a contract mr. into the ground and leveled out. Asphalt must be applied with the rocky material first and then that are on top of it. This makes a little more of an involved process, but it is not as time-consuming as you might expect.

Let the Surface Dry (Concrete) or Compact It (Asphalt)

Once the surface has been poured, it is time to let it dry, provided the surface is concrete. If it is asphalt, it does not take nearly as long to dry. However, it must be tightly packed to ensure that it is weather resistant.

Making the Right Decision for Your Asphalt and Concrete Needs

In many applications, getting a new asphalt or concrete surface can actually save you money. Residential and commercial asphalt resurfacing, for example, can be more expensive than replacement in some circumstances. Commercial and residential concrete maintenance can also be prohibitively expensive. Even concrete driveway repair expenses can add up.

6 Ways Commercial Asphalt Paving Can Help Your Business Save Money

1. The first way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is that you will not have to worry about improper installation. One of the important factors in the lifespan of your asphalt paving is whether or not it was installed properly. Improper installation can drastically reduce how long your asphalt paving lasts, so it is worth to have the process done by professionals. Professionals will know how to properly install the asphalt, including the sub-platform, so that your asphalt paving lasts as long as possible. This saves money because you will not have to pay to have the asphalt removed and reinstalled by professionals, which is both time-consuming and expensive.

2. The second way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is to ensure your asphalt drainage is excellent. Poor asphalt drainage will force you to spend money on maintenance and or commercial asphalt repair. Meanwhile, it will cost your business even more money since you will likely have to close your business temporarily until the area is clean and dry again. If your asphalt drainage is adequate, you can keep your business open and continue making profit without worrying about this problem. Proper asphalt drainage also eliminates the problem of standing water accumulating close to your business thus maintaining its professional appearance.

3. The third way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is that you can find asphalt companieswilling to do a porous asphalt project. Porous asphalt is a green alternative to traditional asphalt and your business may receive a tax credit for using it. Additionally, porous asphalt is semi-permeable in that water can go through it and this allows water to go back to the ground easily. Porous asphalt also helps with stormwater in that it acts as a natural drainage system so you will not have to spend as much money to follow stormwater regulations about your drainage systems.

4. The fourth way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is with regular maintenance. Saving your business money and spending money on regular asphalt maintenance may sound contradictory, but this is not the case. Maintaining your asphalt regularly prevents serious problems such as potholes or structural compromise, which could require commercial asphalt resurfacing. Instead, have your asphalt company check for cracks and fill them as well as apply sealcoating in addition to other services your asphalt requires. This will cost your business far less money than solving more serious problems with your asphalt.

5. The fifth way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money involves finding a reliable asphalt paving company. This saves your business money because interviewing and quoting many different asphalt companies every time you need a project done can prove costly and time-intensive. If you have a reliable asphalt paving company in mind, you can simply turn to them whenever you need work done on your business’ asphalt. Additionally, a reliable asphalt company will not overcharge you for repairs or maintenance which saves your business yet more money. A reliable asphalt company will also attend to any emergency repairs when you need it and thus reduce the amount of time you need to close your business, if at all.

6. The sixth way in which commercial asphalt paving can help your business save money is it prevents your business from paying for a satellite parking lot for your employees and customers. Commercial asphalt paving allows you to have your own parking lot and this eliminates the cost of maintaining a satellite parking lot. Having your own parking lot also helps you comply with safety regulations and prevents your business from paying fees for noncompliance. It also saves your business money by giving your customers a place to park and thus providing your business greater potential profit from those customers.

Need our services? Get in touch with us today!

How to Decide on the Right Contractor

Concrete services are incredibly versatile, and homeowners have a lot to choose from. The residential concrete market is booming, and today’s contractors are installing floors, patios and driveways at incredibly high rates. Available concrete professionals have their work cut out for them, and homeowners need to ask a few questions before settling on any specific provider. Finding the right concrete contractor can be tough. Settling on a single provider is a gamble, and it’s not one which should be taken lightly.

Before choosing a contractor, a few things should be considered. Below, we’re covering the best way to choose a concrete contractor.

Step One: Do a Little Research

First, you should research. A simple Internet search can return a list of potential contractors able to provide service in your area. If you want to get personal, ask your family members and friends for referrals and recommendations. Or, reach out to your area’s local concrete supply company and ask about commercial asphalt repair. Ask them to refer some decent concrete contractors. If you can compile a good list of contractor options, you’ll have a healthy supply of service providers to choose from.

Step Two: Assure Insurance Coverage

Next, you should make sure any contractor you work with has insurance coverage. Sometimes, things go wrong. A job site needs to be protected, and your service provider should have insurance coverage. Make sure you’re not going to be liable if an accident occurs. Before picking a contractor, make sure they have adequate insurance coverage. Their coverage should be enough to cover your home, the project and any injuries in the event of an accident. To help you determine whether a contractor’s insurance coverage is enough, contact their insurance company directly. Then, ask them to verify the contractor’s insurance—as well as their coverage policy’s dates.

Step Three: Determine Their Experience

A good contractor will have years of proven experience. Whether you’re looking at a commercial asphalt resurfacing provider or a number of driveway repair contractors, years in business is a huge indicator of direct potential. A lot of asphalt companies present their years in service up front for this reason—it’s a good advertising strategy. Some residential paving companies, meanwhile, can be difficult to pin down—experience-wise.

Choose between the providers which have at least five years of experience. Concrete contractors and businesses with at least five years of business tend to be more stable and reliable than most. Experienced contractors are, more often than not, highly active on different projects while also being capable suggestion and insight providers. You’ll want to choose a provider which can offer the right concrete mixes, who can suggest ongoing project options and who can enhance your home’s overall look.

Step Four: Ask for References

In the concrete contractor world, successful providers are backed by reputable references. Before signing any contract, ask your contractor for a list of references. Then, contact these references. Learn more about your potential contractor and their operations. Ask all references questions about the type of project they received service on, the project’s length and the project’s overall quality. Then, compare this information to other references.

Once you’ve compared several contractors, you can compare prices. While price should be a large determining factor of which services you’ll pick, it should be one of the last considerations you view. Insurance coverage and a solid track record are more important. They’ll assure high-quality work, and they’ll give you an idea of your project’s overall quality. Many residential paving companies exist, but not all can provide long-term project sustainability and great repair jobs. Be smart, check out several providers and make an informed decision.

 

Get in touch with us today. Check out our services or send us a quote for your next project.

The Benefits of Beautiful Concrete in Your Office Parking Lot

Do you want to revamp your commercial property? Whether you’re a property management leader, a regional decision maker or a local store owner, it’s in your best interest to spice up your property with accessibility, reliability and long-lasting appeal. A concrete parking can completely revitalize your store’s appeal, attract more customers and make the day-to-day work grind incredibly easygoing.

 

If you haven’t yet, you should consider reworking your parking lot to be concrete-centric, and for these reasons.

 

Reduced Energy Costs

Concrete surfaces are lighter colored, so you won’t need to spend as much on lighting costs. By installing a concrete parking lot, you can eliminate between three and 10 light fixtures regularly needed to enhance your commercial property’s visibility. Installing concrete can make a safer parking lot, reducing energy costs while protecting your customers.

 

Reduced Maintenance Costs

Concrete maintenance costs are virtually zero. Sure, you might need an annual concrete cleaning job. You might also need to seal some joints, here and there. In general, however, asphalt parking lots need to be re-coated with liquid asphalt once per three to five years. They only need to be resurfaced once per 10 years.

 

Symmetry

Nothing says “great aesthetics” like a freshly-coated concrete parking lot section. Is your store moving up in the world? If so, maybe it’s time to revamp its exterior parking area. A concrete parking lot can greatly enhance a store’s perceived professionalism, assuring symmetry while enticing new buyers. A symmetrical parking lot is a parking lot which boasts positivity. A lot of asphalt companies specialize in creating enticing installations which provide years of allurement.

 

Cool Customers

You want to keep your customers happy, right? By installing a concrete parking lot, you can greatly reduce the “heat factor” of passerby and would-be shoppers. Parking lots can greatly reduce reflected sun rays, lowering the area’s overall heat. In doing so, they can provide comfort to store-goers who’re either on foot or leaving their cars to check out your store.

 

Environmental Friendliness

Concrete is created from natural resources, and using it can positively impact the environment. You can even install a sustainable concrete product, bringing rainwater back to the earth in your store’s area. In fact, some concrete contractors can complete custom projects to assure your sidewalk and greenery area are both protected and nurtured whenever it rains, directing any waterflow through intelligent concrete installations. Meanwhile, commercial asphalt repair professionals work to sustain such a setup.

 

Overall Strength

Concrete is a lot stronger than asphalt, making it a top choice for parking lots. Because of its durability, concrete can withstand the weight of many vehicles, heavy traffic use and day-to-day passerby. No store owner wants a cracked, crumbling asphalt lot. If any areas sustain damage, a commercial asphalt resurfacing job can completely fix it. These contractors work on a project-to-project basis, too, so every service request is fulfilled with a high attention to detail.

 

Cost-Effectiveness

A lot of businesses choose concrete over asphalt due to its sheer cost-effectiveness. While asphalt might cost less initially, it isn’t as sustainable—price-wise—over the long term. Business owners will find that concrete surfaces can be maintained for far less, freeing their annual budgets to focus on other improvements, invest in other areas and balance their store’s needs in much more effective ways.

 

Your business’s parking lot is a huge asset. Once you’ve acquired a commercial space, the parking area becomes your responsibility. It’s your job to create a safe, cost-effective and long-lasting space for your coworkers and customers alike. Make sure your parking area is constructed with the right material, and secure the many benefits of a concrete installation.