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What Type of Concrete Is Used for Driveways?

If you are thinking about adding a driveway or repairing your current one, then you are probably wondering what type of concrete is going to be used. The reality is that there are many different types and mixes of concrete. Therefore, the right mixture for one job might not be ideal for a different job. If you are thinking about installing a concrete driveway, then you need to consider the strength of the concrete, its air entrainment rating, its overall size, and even its slump rating. This is why it is a good idea to reach out to a concrete company for help. When it comes to concrete for your driveway, there are a few points to keep in mind.

The Characteristics That Define Concrete for a Driveway

If you are looking for concrete for your driveway, then you need to make sure that you find concrete that is going to be able to withstand the weight of vehicle traffic. Ideally, you need concrete that can stand up to 4,000 pounds per square inch for your driveway. During the cold winter, you also need to look for a concrete mix that has a six percent air-entrainment value. This will create small bubbles in the mix of concrete, providing water in the concrete a place to go when it freezes and expands.

In addition, in order to make the installation process easier, you need to think about the slump rating. Slump is a measurement of the workability and thickness of the concrete once it has been mix. You are looking for a slump rating of around 4 to 5 inches in order to make the installation process easier.

The Installation Process of Concrete for Driveways

Before your driveway can be poured, a contractor has to make sure that the site is prepared properly. This means providing a smooth, firm base upon which the concrete can be poured. Once the site has been formed properly, it is time to mix the concrete with water. Usually, ready-made concrete is used for concrete driveways because it meets many of the characteristics above. Once the mix is ready, the contractor will pour the wet concrete into the driveway, using shovels and rakes to ensure the concrete is laid out properly.

Once the concrete has been poured, it is going to be troweled and finished. This will make sure the final product looks appropriate. Finally, the concrete has to be cured as well. The curing process could last as long as 28 days, with the first few days being the most critical. This will harden the surface, allowing it to withstand the stress of routine foot and vehicle traffic. Then, the concrete driveway is finished.

Rely on an Experienced Concrete Company for Help Installing a Concrete Driveway

These are just a few of the most important points that you need to keep in mind if you are looking for concrete for your driveway. You need to make sure that you find the right concrete that is going to allow your driveway to withstand not only the elements but also routine vehicle traffic. Then, you need to find a contractor who understands the process of installing a concrete driveway. If you have a concrete project in the near future, you need to reach out to an experienced concrete company for help. That way, you can ensure that the project is completed properly the first time around.

 

 

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The History of Concrete: An Overview and How It Is Used Today

Today, one of the most ubiquitous materials as concrete. Many people see concrete on their driveway, and utility buildings, and in numerous other locations. Concrete is popular because it is an expensive, durable, and versatile. At the same time, many people might be wondering where concrete came from. When it comes to the history of concrete, there are a few key points to keep in mind.

Early Concrete Predecessors: Limestone

The history of concrete can be traced back to ancient times. There were numerous ancient materials that were used by early civilizations. These ancient materials formed the foundation of concrete as we know it today. For example, one of the most common materials that is used to make concrete is limestone. When sand and water were added to Limestone, it became a plaster type material that was used to help stones adhere to one another. As a result, these materials were improved. Over time, modern concrete came into existence following these procedures and limestone is an important ingredient in modern concrete.

The Evolution of Cement into Concrete: A Key Part of Concrete History

Another important element that goes into modern concrete is cement. Cement has been around for an extended period of time. Nearly 12 million years ago in the Middle East, natural deposits were formed when an oil shale and Limestone combusted spontaneously, leading to cement. Keep in mind that cement and concrete are not the same things. Concrete is a composite building material that is made out of cement along with numerous other ingredients. At the same time, cement was used thousands of years ago and still plays a key role in concrete today.

Concrete History: Its First Uses in Human Civilization

The first uses of concrete can be traced back to ancient traders in the Middle East. These traders occupied and controlled numerous oases that eventually became a small empire. Eventually, these traders discovered the advantages of using hydraulic lime. This is cement that gradually hardens underwater. Eventually, they learn how to build kilns to supply mortar that was used for the construction of rubble houses. This is where the first concrete floors were discovered. These ancient peoples understood that in order to keep the concrete functional, they needed to keep it dry. Excess water leads to voids and weaknesses in the concrete. The building practices that they discovered form the foundations of making modern concrete today.

Concrete Has a Number of Uses Today

The practices that were used by the ancient peoples formed the foundation of how modern concrete is used today. Today, despite all of our technological advances, we still rely on concrete. Concrete can be found in the floors of utility rooms, in driveways, and in numerous other places. Furthermore, it is even possible to seal concrete to prevent liquid from damaging it. In this manner, concrete is still one of the most useful materials today. Those who are looking to get the most out of their concrete should make sure that they rely on an experienced company that can guide the way. By trusting an expert concrete company that understands how concrete history influences its uses today, everyone can rest easy knowing that they are going to get the most out of their concrete investment.

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How to Sealcoat Edges

No matter why or where you are building a parking lot or sidewalk, sealcoating the edges is important for various reasons. By simply adding a thin liquid layer over the paved surfaces, sealcoating can help you maintain your parking lot or sidewalk for many years to come. That said, the following is an overview of the benefits of sealcoating as well as the steps you need to take to properly sealcoat your sidewalks and parking lots.

Benefits of Sealcoating

If you are wondering why you should sealcoat your sidewalks and parking lots, the most common benefits are as follows:

  • Prolongs Life Expectancy: One of the top benefits of sealcoating is that it helps to prolong the life expectancy of the asphalt pavement by providing a protective layer that helps to safeguard it against water, vehicle fluids, UV rays, and more. It also helps to fill in surface damage.
  • Saves Money: Given that sealcoating is a low-cost method, this helps you to save money over time on maintenance and other repairs.
  • Enhances Appearance: No matter if the asphalt is new or old, a fresh sealcoat will make your sidewalk or pavement look shiny and new.
  • Ice and Snow Protection: One special benefit of sealcoating is that it helps to accelerate the melting of ice and snow. Moreover, it also helps to protect the pavement from related issues such as water penetration, frost and/or snow damage.
  • Repair Minor Cracks and Other Wear and Tear: The process also allows you to repair minor cracks and other issues caused by everyday wear and tear.

How to Sealcoat

Now that we’ve gone over the benefits of sealcoating, let’s take a look at the steps you need to take to sealcoat your asphalt:

  1. Preparation: Before you can begin installing your sealcoat, you must prepare the area you are sealing. This means you will take the type to assess the condition of the area, clean the area with tools such as rotary brooms, commercial sweepers, and hand steel brooms. From there, you need to shut off nearby sources of water runoff, such as sprinkler systems.
  2. Repair: Once you have prepared the area, you must take the time to repair it. This involves filling cracks, repairing areas that have been seriously damaged, and repair things such as potholes.
  3. Application: After that, you will need to prepare the mixture to be applied to the asphalt. For longer-lasting results, apply two coats.
  4. Re-Striping: From there, you will need to re-stripe the pavement and/or apply any necessary markings that were covered during the process.
  5. Clean-Up: Lastly, you need to take the time to clean up and discard or store any trash and materials that are leftover.

Overall, if you are considering applying a sidewalk or parking lot sealcoat, you certainly should. Not only can it help to protect the pavement against ice and snow, extend the life of the pavement, help you save money on potentially costly repairs, and much more. While the process of applying a sealcoat is relatively easy, you should be sure that you have enough experience, knowledge, and stamina to complete such a job if you wish to do it yourself. Other than that, be sure to hire a qualified construction company you can trust.

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The Life Cycle of an Asphalt Parking Lot and How to Care for It During the Different Stages

Starting from the day it officially opens, an asphalt parking lot will progress through various stages, and as the owner or caretaker of one, you must be able to employ the maintenance measures necessary to prolong its life.

How much you need to do will vary depending on which stage of the life cycle of asphalt your parking lot is currently at. To understand more about what kind of asphalt maintenance methods you need to employ, please read on.

First Stage: Years 0 to 5

It will likely be a while before you have to do any kind of major maintenance on your asphalt parking lot beyond regularly cleaning it. Asphalt is a remarkably durable material and for at least the first five years, it should hold up very well.

Still, you can’t just turn a blind eye to the parking lot. What you need to watch for here are unexpected impacts that could significantly damage the surface of the asphalt.

Something heavy falling on the asphalt could cause cracking. It would be better to address that right way if you want to keep the surface in good condition for decades to come.

Second Stage: Years 5 to 7

At around the 5 to 7-year mark, you should see that the asphalt surface itself is still mostly in good shape, but this is also the point when smaller cracks may form.

Small cracks are inevitable, but they should not go unaddressed. Otherwise, they could be the reasons why your parking lot falls into disrepair sooner than expected.

Here is where you can employ maintenance measures such as crack sealing and seal coating.

Per Nashville.gov, crack sealing involves using hot-pour crack sealant on the asphalt. Meanwhile, seal coating refers to the maintenance method that utilizes both an asphalt emulsion coating and a coal tar sealer, according to The Balance.

Both methods are meant to patch up any openings that have emerged on the surface of the asphalt.

Third Stage: Years 7 to 15

Because of the maintenance measures you used in the second stage, the third stage of the asphalt life cycle should prove easy enough to navigate. Here, you may again have to perform crack sealing and seal coating to fix the noticeable blemishes that have shown up.

Given that this stage stretches across a longer period of time, don’t be surprised if you end up having to perform those maintenance measures more than once.

You may even have to perform some patch repairs. This will typically involve cleaning out the cracks and then filling them up with patching compounds.

Fourth Stage: Years 15 to 25

By the time you enter the fourth stage of the asphalt parking lot’s life cycle, you should be glad if all you have to do is just patch a few cracks. Chances are that the asphalt has been used enough that larger fissures have formed on it.

Crack sealing and seal coating may no longer be enough at this stage, and patch repair may be too inefficient to serve as a workable solution.

What you can do is either apply a new coat of asphalt to cover the larger cracks or perhaps resurface the entire parking lot.

You can enlist the help of a milling machine to remove the old asphalt and set a new surface in place with the aid of a paving machine.

Fifth Stage: Years 25 and Beyond

You are now in the final stage of the parking lot’s life cycle and here, the damage that has accumulated on the asphalt may simply be too significant. You can try resurfacing again, but inspect the parking lot closely first. There may be big enough gashes underneath the asphalt that resurfacing will not suffice.

To ensure the safety of everyone using the parking lot, the smart move here would be to look into not just introducing new asphalt but perhaps even rebuilding the structure itself.

Conclusion

The life cycle of asphalt can extend over decades, but it is important to remember that it will only last that long if you care for it properly. Pay close attention to the asphalt as it continue to age and use whichever measures necessary to keep it in the best condition possible.

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The Importance of Removing Oil From Your Commercial Parking Lot

Maintaining a clean commercial parking lot is key to your success. Cleaning up motor oil is particularly important, as it not only damages your greatest asset but ultimately hurts your bottom line. There are three distinct advantages to quickly cleaning oil spills as part of regular pavement maintenance.

Extending the Life of Your Pavement

Asphalt is made from petroleum mixed with stones, sand, gravel and binders. In order for it to perform properly, the mixture of ingredients has to be just right and remain stable over time. Motor oil from vehicles changes the composition of asphalt if you don’t clean it up. This makes the pavement break down, leading to potholes.

You may not want to make the initial investment in cleaning up oil spills yourself or hiring a professional, but keep in mind that maintaining your parking lot isn’t that different from maintaining the roof on your home or other expensive asset. Keeping your parking lot in good shape means not having to shell out thousands of dollars down the road to make repairs.

Attracting Customers

A clean space is more likely to attract customers to any business. Looking in at smooth, clean pavement makes potential customers feel more comfortable about parking, and they may just turn in without even thinking about other options. A parking lot full of oil stains and potholes may keep that blinker off until they see a more attractive option. They may also feel comfortable throwing down their own trash in a lot that already seems dirty.

If uncleaned oil spills do in fact lead to potholes, customers now have another reason to keep driving. They are not likely to risk damage to their expensive vehicles and face costly repairs if there are better options available.

Helping Develop a Pavement Preservation Plan

Your commercial parking lot represents some, or all, of your income, so it is important to take care of it just as you would a building or other asset. Part of taking care of your investment is having a long-term plan to maintain its health so you can predict, and count on, future revenue. You should know your lot inside and out, including the age of the pavement, what repairs are already completed, what repairs should be in the immediate works, and how long you have before future repairs.

By failing to remove oil stains, you throw a curve ball into your future pavement maintenance plans. You may think you have some time before you have to spend the money for repairs, but that timeline moves up if you have damage due to oil leaks that were left behind. Keeping up with cleaning efforts means creating a much better chance that you can accurately predict your future income. Even an average of one lost parking spot per month due to repairs from oil damage impacts your bottom line.

There are many good reasons to quickly remove oil from your commercial parking lot, and failing to do so not only has individual effects, but cumulatively can cut severely into your bottom line. Spend the time and money on proper maintenance to protect your investment in the long term.