By admin Construction • • • 0 Comments

5 Types of Spring Road Hazards

Did you know that many people believe that during the spring season is the safest period to venture into the roads, unaware of the concrete problems that await them? Research undertaken by the US department of transport shows that drivers are cautious during winter when its ice snowy as compared to the warmer spring season.

As winter fades away and ushers in longer days and intense sunshine, more drivers in the country will be hitting the concrete roadways with overconfidence attitude because the ice has started to thaw. This assumption is not the case because, with the melting ice, new hazards crop up, creating real problems which end up disastrous.

During this anticipated and exhilarating moment of the spring season, hazards range from wet parking lot pavers, a proliferation of motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and animals emerging from their hibernation to constant rainfall and hailstorms.

If you are a business owner, you should be aware of the following spring road hazards before embarking on a business trip or mission on the roads.

Active animals

Many animals hibernate during winter. When spring season starts, these animals initiate their nature and start migrating, mating, and looking for food. These animals can cross the roads abruptly without signaling, especially at dusk or dawn, when its harder to spot them.resulting to an accident.

Potholes

After the snow and ice vanishes through the thawing process in winter, it leaves dents on concrete roadways.plowa are deployed to tend the road during winter boring out chunks of the way leaving behind enormous potholes. Consequently, during the cold season, potholes are filled with ice and snow; hence their impact on automobiles and drivers is greatly minimized. When spring sprouts, ice, and snow thaws leave deep potholes that damage vehicles, they lead to accidents. Hitting potholes culminates in concrete problems like bent rims, malignment of your car, popping tires, and damaging suspension. Freezing and thawing lead to contracting and disintegration of concrete on pavements and parking lot pavers, leading to more extensive and expensive repairs.

Frequent rainstorms

According to a survey released by the federal highway administration, the rain was responsible for 46%of all weather-related accidents from 2005-2014. Storm proves to be the most treacherous weather-related driving hazard, especially when it mixes oil residue on wet pavement inducing hydroplaning. Heavy rainfall laden with wind can impede visibility and flood out roads quickly, making the paths slippery. These slippery roads reduce your vehicle handling ability leading to concrete problems like swerving, hydroplaning, and reduced tire traction caused by big puddles

Increased Motorcyclists and Bicyclist

During the warmer spring season, many motorcyclists and bicyclists will be hitting the road, this means that there will be increased traffic culminating into increased accidents. Due to the small sizes of motorcycles and bicycles, it becomes difficult to see them at a distance. This invisibility can result in an increased risk of accidents/deaths if the drivers don’t exercise extra caution since there are many distractions within his/her visibility. Drivers are encouraged to share the roads with them cautiously when nearing them to mitigate the chances of accidents.

Floods

The emergence of spring brings warm weather and longer days. However, it supersedes a variety of conditions that could be hazardous. These include heavy rains and rapid snowmelt, which aggravates the risk of flooding. This peril becomes a nightmare for drivers because fast-flowing water exerts pressure to contact areas like concrete pavements, hence reducing your vehicle’s handling ability.
Road trips during lovely spring weather can be the most breathtaking expedition as a driver. However, it’s of paramount importance to remember this can abruptly turn into a catastrophe. Being aware of spring road hazards can help you to navigate safely hence reducing chances of probable accidents.

By admin Asphalt Paving • • • 0 Comments

How To Reuse and Recycle Asphalt

During the past few years, there has been a massive push to develop green practices, particularly when it comes to the construction industry. Now, this practice has been woven into all aspects of construction, from construction to residential spaces and even paving. This has provided massive benefits for the environment, as everyone works to preserve the planet.

One of the major shifts has been the growth of asphalt recycling. When people think about recyclable materials, they usually think about plastic, cardboard, and glass; however, pavement and asphalt are actually the most recycled materials in the country. Annually, around 80 million tons of asphalt is recycled. This goes to show that asphalt is considered a green technology. It is also environmentally friendly. For those wondering how they can recycle and reuse asphalt, there are a few points to keep in mind.

How To Recycle Asphalt

Asphalt is a part of a recycling category that is called C&D, which stands for construction and demolition. Some of the other products that are included under this heading include wood, glass, and fixtures from buildings. This type of waste is treated differently from typical recycling products that come from a household, such as plastic. This means that it might be a bit harder to find a recycling center that can handle asphalt; however, there are numerous asphalt contractors that have connections with these recycling centers, so it is a good idea to reach out to them.

In this fashion, it is important to be open and honest with the asphalt contractors that recycling asphalt that might not need to be used is a priority. Therefore, talk with them about ideas regarding where and how they can take the asphalt.

One of the first places to look for a recycling center that can handle asphalt is the local solid waste management district. These are relatively common throughout most cities; however, people should call them to make sure they can handle asphalt, as not everyone can. There are also helpful search tools on the internet that can help people find places that can accept asphalt recycling. Even asphalt shingles from the roof can be recycled; however, it is important to make sure the asphalt recycling plan accepts these shingles, as not all plants do.

Recycling Asphalt Is Important

Back in 2002, one of the first organizations to announce that they would be recycling asphalt was the Federal Highway Administration. They announced that they would be reusing and recycling asphalt throughout their roadway projects whenever possible to minimize the impact on the environment. In this manner, this is the biggest reason why it is so important to recycle asphalt. It saves the environment. Furthermore, the FHWA realized that there was actually a functional benefit to using recycled asphalt. The roads appeared to last longer.

Furthermore, recycling asphalt is important because it saves money. If projects can use recycled asphalt, they do not need to invest in brand new materials, which are more expensive. When this is combined with the environmental impact of using recycled products, such as asphalt, the reasons to reuse and recycle this material become clear.

Recycle Asphalt During Future Projects

This is a brief overview of how to recycle asphalt and why it is so important. Those who are looking to recycle asphalt should reach to asphalt contractors or take a look at local solid waste management plants. These sources usually have information on where and how to recycle asphalt as well as asphalt repair services.

By admin Asphalt Driveway • • • • • 0 Comments

When to Patch, Resurface, or Repair

Repairing a driveway can be very expensive at times. Even though the driveway is made of concrete or bricks, installing a new driveway makes things very expensive. All you have to decide is whether you need your driveway to be patched, resurfaced, or repaired.

Since repairing a driveway could be very expensive, most of the homeowners fail to replace their driveway and instead choose to patch the cracks and the awful spots on the driveway. This could be cheap at that time, but in the long run, it could turn out to be more than expensive for you. Before you decide what to do in your driveway, you need to consider several factors to ensure you are getting the right option for your driveway repair.

With so many cars moving on your driveway for a long time, your driveway will begin to show signs of damage. The first thing that you will start to realize is having small cracks as well as some divots on the material that is used in making the driveway. If the cracks on your driveways are not that deep, it is good to decide to repair your driveway. All you need is some liquid crack fillers for filling the cracks in the driveway. In case the cracks are more substantial, maybe a width of more than a quarter-inch, it is clear that your driveway is in a mess. If you repair such cracks on your driveway by just filling them using liquid crack fillers, the problem will be solved but temporarily.

Driveway patching

In case your driveway has some holes in it, you need to ensure that you patch the holes using some patching materials. Although you will have your driveway patched, water will still find its way through the patches. With time the water will begin opening the holes on your driveway again. Some homeowners will choose to patch the driveways by themselves rather than hiring concrete contractors to repair. Patching your driveway pushes the replacement of your driveway for quite some time.

Driveway replacement

The look on your driveway could be the main factor that gives your home a complement. If your driveway is in bad shape, then your home will also be in the same shape. Consequently, if you are the type of homeowners who sells houses, you will realize that your buyers will tend to look at whether the driveway has holes and cracks on it. If this is the situation on your driveway, then it would be best to replace it rather than patching it. This type of concrete repair would be best for the driveways whose conditions are deplorable. Although it could be costly, the replacement on your driveway could give your driveway the best look that every homeowner will want.

Driveway resurfacing

At any time you want to hire any concrete contractors to work on the patches that are always on your driveway or redo it, you should think about resurfacing it. When you get the best contractors for concrete repair, they will help you in resurfacing your driveway. Resurfacing your driveway involves removing the topmost layer on the driveway and replacing it with another. The best thing with having your driveway resurfaced is that it becomes brand new. Even if there are cracks and pits on the driveway, when you resurface it, you will not have the same problem for quite some time. When the driveway is resurfaced, all the cracks and the pits will be repaired at the same time. This is the best option if you want to have your driveway looking better at all times.

By admin Construction • • • • 0 Comments

7 Critical Checks for Parking Lot Drains

Business owners commonly think about cracks and damage that lead to asphalt repair; however, it is just as important to think about parking lot drains as well because parking lot repair can be expensive. Water is a good thing when it comes to parking lots; however, too much water can also lead to serious damage. Even shallow puddles can cause the surface to become slippery. Cars can lose control and collide with other vehicles, leading to both personal injuries and property damage. This can cause the reputation of the business to suffer. This is where it is important to check parking lot drainage, starting with the drains themselves.

Checking for Parking Lot Drainage: The Drains

Some of the most important items that need to be on this checklist regarding parking lot drains include:

Water Collection: First, take a look around the drain. Make sure there isn’t any water ponding around the drain. If water starts to pool around the drain, it will collect along the sides. As a result, pressure around the drain will start to increase. During the winter, this water will freeze. When water freezes, it expands. This will cause the drain and concrete to crack, leading to damage.

Flush with the Surface: All parking lot drains need to be flush with the asphalt surface. If it is not, this is a major concern. If the drain is not flush with the asphalt, this can cause water to pool. It can also lead to flooding.

Ring Popping Up: Another potential issue that people might notice with their parking lot drains is that the ring is popping up a little bit. In this case, a small asphalt patch can fix the issue. Just make sure the patch is level. This will prevent a collar from forming that will stop the water from draining correctly.

Inside: Be sure to check inside the drain as well. Take the time to look for gunk, foul smells, and debris. If there is a clog inside the drain, this can also lead to a mosquito nest, which is a major nuisance. To look inside the drain, test the drain by pouring water into it. It should drain properly.

Blockage: Of course, it is also important to make sure that parking lot drains are not blocked by either debris of vegetation. If the drain is blocked, water cannot reach it properly. This will lead to flooding.

Loose Material: Sometimes, there is loose material that forms around the drain. This could be sand, gravel, or other materials. This is a major problem if the drain is near a major road. This aggregate can be brought in by runoff and heavy rain. Ensure this is not accumulating within t the drain.

Pooling: Finally, look at the center of the parking lot. Does the water pool in this location? Parking lots usually slope from one end to the other to help water drain. If water is pooling in the center, this means the center of the parking lot has dropped, causing water to pool and preventing it from draining properly. This will require a parking lot repair.

These are the most important elements when it comes to checking parking lot drains. This is important for making sure that all moisture drains properly. It will prevent property damage from arising down the line and save people money on asphalt repair.

By admin Asphalt Paving • • • • 0 Comments

Pavement and Fuel Consumption: Is There a Link?

Fuel efficiency in motor vehicles has been a major concern ever since the 1970s and has garnered even more attention in recent years due to the global warming debate. Interested parties include environmentalists, government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, the trucking and transportation industries, and the everyday consumer driving their cars. The focus has mainly been centered on creating better vehicle designs, with more aerodynamic forms and fuel-efficient engines, as well as alternative fuels. But recently a whole new field of environmental science has emerged that is taking a close look at the pavement that vehicles drive on and how it affects fuel efficiency. Their findings so far indicate that pavement does indeed have a significant impact on how much fuel a vehicle uses with far-reaching implications for those concerned with road construction and asphalt maintenance.

Roughness And Responsiveness

Asphalt is by far the most used material for building roadways around the world, accounting for about 90% of the 2.5 million miles of pavement existing in the U.S. and 3.2 million miles in Europe. The scientists and engineers who are studying the relationship between pavement characteristics and fuel consumption are generally measuring the effects of three basic factors:

  • Roughness – The smoothness of the roadway affects the drive train components and suspension system of a vehicle as well as the flexing of the sidewalls of the tires. A rough pavement makes these systems work harder, which in turn causes the engine to work harder to overcome these stresses, using more fuel.
  • Macrotexture – This is a measurement of the pavement surface that has an effect on the friction and resistance between the tires and the road.
  • Structural Responsiveness – This is a measure of how much a pavement material will deform, or give, under the weight of a vehicle passing over it.

All of these factors taken together have a big impact on fuel consumption. And they change over time as the roadway is used and as natural elements such as heat, cold, and water deteriorate the pavement and cause potholes and rough surfaces requiring asphalt repair.

Smoother Is Better And Asphalt Is Best

The research has shown that the smoothness of pavement is the dominant factor in fuel efficiency. The rougher the road, the greater the fuel consumption. And the studies have shown that asphalt is the best material for the construction and maintenance of smooth pavements. A U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) report in 1999 stated: “Concrete roads may produce rougher readings than asphalt roads, even if the concrete road is of very high quality. Features such as joints between sections can contribute to the roughness of concrete highways.”

It’s clear that making a bigger investment in asphalt maintenance on the nation’s highways and byways at the federal, state, and local level will have significant benefits for fuel-efficiency. This would not only help to make for a cleaner environment, but it would save the trucking and transportation industries, as well as the average consumer, a lot of money on fuel costs, which would be good for the economy. It would also mean significant savings on vehicle maintenance and repair.

Adequate asphalt maintenance and repair should be a high priority for the nation’s policymakers. It’s the right thing to do.