Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Wed, Jul 21, 2010 @ 02:29 PM
I just want to share a video I came across on Youtube today. What do you think about turning our roads into a power grid? This idea would create jobs and no doubt improve the roads we are driving on.
Click here to watch this asphalt solar road video on Youtube. Let me know your thoughts. Would you vote for this?
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Fri, Jun 04, 2010 @ 05:33 PM
Repairing your driveway is not as simple as just backing a truck up to unload some asphalt and smoothing it out with a roller. There are some key factors to know about when you begin to get quotes for your asphalt driveway repair. If you want to make sure your driveway lasts as long as it should, it needs to be professionally designed, well-built, and properly maintained.
Let me give you three tips for to be assured you get a good quote and a great driveway.
1. Compaction is Critical
Compaction locks the asphalt aggregate together to reach stability and provide resistance to deformation while also reducing the permeability and improving its durability. The most important factor that affects the contractors ability to achieve proper compaction is temperature. The compaction temperature of the asphalt is effected by the weather and wind which cool it at a more rapid pace, the asphalt thickness of the layer which helps it hold heat more or less, and the actual temperature at which the asphalt was placed on the ground.
2. Lifts
The lifts (layer of placed asphalt) effect compaction and durability. The thicker the asphalt lift, the easier it is to compact and the longer it retains heat. The lift thickness should be at least three to five times the nominal maximum aggregate size. So, a typical thickness of the asphalt lift will be about three inches. A typical homeowners driveway is usually between 2.5" to 3" thick, with each additional lift placed in thickness of two to three inches. It's important to have the lift thick enough to support the load of the traffic it is being built for.
3. Seal coat
If you want a lasting pavement surface, the asphalt needs to be protected from water, oxidation, oil, and other elements that erode it. The National Asphalt Pavement Association recommends homeowners seal coat their driveway every two to five years to maintain a great driveway. You want quality materials with a good design, and then maintained using the best construction practices. Seal coating will extend the life of the asphalt and save money on "repairs" down the road. Oh yeah, we don't dilute our sealant with 50% water...that's just unethical and misleading. You can count on us to use the industry standard of 13-17% water.
We like to say that pavement maintenance can be simplified. We'll educate you on the process, and help you have great curb appeal with a great driveway. You deserve a beautiful driveway to go along with your landscaping.
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Wed, Mar 31, 2010 @ 01:23 PM
Here is a recent trench we completed in Newark, CA on Cedar Blvd. Check out the quick video shot of our crew working.
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Wed, Mar 03, 2010 @ 01:19 PM
We all have certain misconceptions that we've heard over time, read on a blog, seen on TV, or just believed we had reliable information. I'd like to address some common misconceptions about asphalt, and the paving industry, that I've heard before.
Misconception 1: There shouldn't be any rocks showing in the asphalt.
When asphalt is made it has a few ingredients in it. It has crushed rocks and a mix of petroleum composites that are produced in oil refineries. The asphalt ingredients are heated up and then mix together. After the asphalt is placed on the ground, it can be different sizes. Typical rocks in asphalt are ¾ inch, some are ½ inch, and some are 3/8 inch. The different sizes will obviously have different appearance once it is spread and compacted. Because concrete usually has high sand and water content and is smoothed with a steel trowel it is a smooth surface appearance.
Misconception 2: Asphalt should be like concrete.
Some consider that most pavement surfaces are alike, when in reality they are made with different mixtures, ingredients, chemicals, and rocks. Asphalt is petroleum based and concrete is water based. There are different installation procedures, various equipment used, and concrete is more labor intensive than asphalt.
Misconception 3: The black top asphalt color will come off on my shoes?
Some people think that because it's hot, black, and looks like clay sometimes, that it will cling to your shoes. Asphalt, once installed and compacted should not get on your shoes. Seal coat, however when freshly applied will get on your shoes, so don't walk on it for 24 hours.
Misconception 4:Paving contractors always try to give you a change order.
We have been in business more than 20 years and the jobs that have kept us in business are not from change orders. The times a change order arrises into the project is when an unforeseen problem develops that was not part of the original scope of work. Paving contractors do not create the change orders, the issue that comes about as a surprise to everyone creates the change order. We are in business for the long term, not to make a quick dollar on a change order. We use high quality materials, well-trained employees, and well-maintained equipment and we are considered by current and previous customers as a reputable contractor. Feel free to read some testimonials.
Of course many misconceptions arise when expectations are unclear. To learn more visit www.hotmix.org
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Thu, Jan 07, 2010 @ 07:15 PM
Well, we're here and it's 2010. Happy New Year everyone. We hope you had a great holiday season and are ready to get back to work. We are right at it again with some projects going on in San Jose, Mt. View, Santa Clara, Oakland, and Seaside.
We're doing concrete ADA ramps in Mt. View and Santa Clara. We've got a church parking lot going on right now in San Jose. There is work to be done and we are trying to service everyone after our two weeks of closure for Christmas and New Year's.
We just want to wish everyone a prosperous and healthy year. We hope the best for everyone's business endeavors and personal success. We believe 2010 is going to be better and brighter.
Some feel there will be job growth this year and let's all hold on to that and keep our mindset positive.
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/video/127962.aspx
We look forward to working with you and if we can be of any service, give us a call and ask us a question.
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 @ 03:45 PM
As contractors in the paving industry, there are some things we do because they fit our category of work and there are some things we are just fantastic at. When you need work done on your driveway or parking lot it usually fits into one of the categories that is our bread and butter.
You might need help with asphalt paving, which could be new pavement, maintenance of cracks and repairs, overlaying the existing pavement with new asphalt, or regrading an area to have better drainage and slope to help water run-off. That is how we started 20 years ago paving. Now we've added to that sealcoating, crack sealing, line striping and stencils, signage, ADA upgrades, etc. with our long-term maintenance plan. Most recently in the past three years we have been doing concrete flatwork, curbs, gutters, slabs, saw-cutting, sidewalks, and ADA ramps. So now I would consider these three areas our bread and butter: asphalt paving and repairs, sealcoating and striping, and finally concrete work.
We can install drainage and do other basic underground work, but we're specialists at making pavement maintenance and upgrades SIMPLE!
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Tue, Dec 01, 2009 @ 07:18 PM
A shoddy looking parking lot is a possible sign that interior improvements might be lacking as well. I'm not trying to sell anyone on paving, but your entire exterior image is the first indicator of a well maintained facility. With all the distressed commercial sites on the market, you don't want to be lumped in the "distressed" category. Now, we all know it can get costly doing upgrades and improvements. But keeping the lot clean is a matter of making preventative maintenance a priority. You've got to do not just what some of the competition is doing, BUT OUTDO ALL THE COMPETITION.
Have the #1 best exterior at every site, and you'll get more calls, more tenants, more business, better contracts. The news is full of stories about how commercial real estate is hitting it's bottom and how office space will continue to lease low...even as low as 2002 prices according to this article. The year is ending, but it's a good time to set yourself up for success by doing a few minor maintenance items on your checklist. If it's time to check all the exterior lighting, the landscaping, the drainage, the cracks and potholes in the parking lot, etc. then choose to do it today before you find yourself in mid-2010 and the competition creeping ahead of where you are today.
People get to places because they purpose to get there. You can get there by seeing what difference it makes in staying ahead of the game and taking action.
Pavement Maintenance Should be SIMPLIFIED.
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Thu, Oct 15, 2009 @ 11:10 AM
Cracking Repairable with Sealant or Fill
Asphalt cracks that form in the pavement surface can allow many harmful substances - including water, salts and engine oils - into the base and subgrade, effectively leading to the failure of the pavement surface. There are many types of asphalt cracking and many causes for these differing problems. In many cases, cracks develop because of the expansion or contraction of the base or subgrade or because of voids that form between the layers or courses of pavement. These cracks can form randomly or in the following specific forms. In all cases, if repaired while still within ¼" to ½", these cracks are easily repaired and maintained.
Transverse cracking
Transverse cracking, or cracks that occur across the pavement surface about perpendicular to the parking lot center, are often caused by the asphalt expansion and contraction due to temperature changes and or this movement due to asphalt aging. Initially, these cracks will be relatively equally spaced depending on traffic but will eventually become more prevalent in the parking lot or roadway. In some cases, as these cracks become more prevalent, block cracking forms where the Transverse cracks develop into squares throughout the pavement.
Also, these cracks may extend either entirely or partially across the pavement area or roadway.
Transverse cracks begin as "hairline" cracks - or cracks up to ¼" wide - but will widen to ½" or wider with age and lack of proper repair. Because these cracks are allowing water into the pavement base and subgrade, lack of proper asphalt repair or maintenance will lead to more cracks developing parallel to the original transverse cracking. If not properly repaired, these transverse asphalt cracks will be appear with greater prevalence and the cracks will become wider; eventually, the cracks will be so prevalent that entire areas will be broken or "alligatored" (see Alligatoring section) leading to a more serious, cutting and patching asphalt repair.
Next we'll cover longitudinal asphalt cracking...
Source: U.S.Pavement Services
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 @ 02:24 PM
Sometimes Asphalt is better than concrete, and life-cycle costs can be one of those benefits where you'll save money.
- Reduces costs for initial construction.
- Requires less maintenance over the life of the pavement.
- Repaired and maintained cost-effectively with HMA overlays instead of complete removal and reconstruction with concrete.
- When maintenance is needed, HMA offers the widest variety of alternatives geared to solve the precise problems on the surface.
- Can be overlaid to add structural capacity to account for increased traffic loading.
- Eliminates the need for costly reinforcing materials, which are subject to corrosion, which lead to more frequent and more costly repairs.
- Properly designed and constructed HMA pavements will last 50 years or more with occasional resurfacing, relieving road agencies of the need for costly, time-consuming and disruptive reconstruction.
- HMA can be recycled (milled and replaced along with fresh materials), saving dollars and preserving nonrenewable natural resources.
Posted by Jesse Willoughby on Mon, Aug 17, 2009 @ 07:47 AM
When it comes to protecting your asphalt pavements against deterioration. There is no greater value than a correctly applied emulsion. Sealcoating substantially reduces maintenance costs and at the same time extends the life of asphalt pavements by as much as 300%. The cost of sealcoating is truly a minor expense when compared to the cost of pavement replacement.
A few of the benefits of sealcoating:
Appearance
The dark charcoal black color of newly applied pavement sealer improves the appearance of new and old asphalt pavements. Unprotected asphalt surfaces gradually lose their rich black color due to oxidation and weathering. We can preserve the smoothness and resilience of asphalt surfaces and help hide rough spots, small cracks, patches and some surface depressions. Pavements coated with a pavement sealer look cleaner because rainfall washes dirt and debris easily from the smooth, non-porous surface. Traffic lines become more visible.
Stops Oxidation
Actinic rays in sunlight can oxidize the Asphalt oils in pavement, causing brittleness and resulting loss of aggregates which may rob up to 50% of the original asphalt thickness in just five years. A pavement sealcoated will resist oxidative degradation and retain its value.
Reduces Costs & Increases Value
The intrusion of moisture into asphalt pavement structure accelerates it deterioration and is strongly related to pavement distress. The sealing of well-cured asphalt prevents the seepage of moisture from snow and rain, thus preventing damage from freeze-thaw cycles.
Resists Fuel Penetration
Resists gas, oil, salt and chemical penetration. Asphalt is a petroleum derivative, soluble in distillates such as gas, jet fuel and oil drippings. Sealcoating prevents damage from distillates and chemicals.
Prevents Water Penetration
The intrusion of moisture into asphalt pavement structure accelerates its deterioration and is strongly related to pavement distress. The sealing of well-cured asphalt prevents the seepage of moisture from snow and rain, thus preventing damage from freeze-thaw cycles.
Protection
We only use the best OVERKOTE sealer that is specifically designed to protect bituminous pavements. It forms a tough, durable and flexible coating that protects asphalt pavements from the damaging elements of weather, water, salts, gas and other petro-chemicals.
Application
Asphalt sealer must be applied to structurally sound pavements by experienced applicators. Asphalt pavement should be protected by two coats; however, the quantities and coverage rates must conform to manufacturer's detailed specifications. Average coverage rates are 0.18 to .20 undiluted gallons per square yard. A latex rubber additive and silica sand may be added for increased traction and durability.
You can trust ALANIZ CONSTRUCTION to maintain and custom blend only the best possible mixture of sealer to meet the specific need for you pavement. We usually recommend a one (1) or two (2) coat squeegee application.