Posted by Jennifer Picard on Tue, May 10, 2011 @ 01:18 PM
It is important to fix concrete cracking and spalling as soon as you notice it because concrete deterioration is guaranteed to worsen over time. Waiting too long to address these probelms could mean the difference between an inexpensive repair and costly reconstruction.
Here's how to repair concrete cracking and spalling yourself:
- Remove dirt or debris from the area with a broom, garden hose or pressure washer.
- Make a "tack coat," to help the new material bond to the old, by mixing a little concrete powder into a bucket of water, making a soupy consistency.
- Place the tack coat in the cracked/spalled area.
- Add additional concrete powder to the mix to increase the consistency (follow manufacturer's instructions).
- Add this thicker material to the damaged area using a trowel.
- Scrape off the excess product.
- Blend the material to the existing concrete with a paint brush.
- Allow to dry.
This quick repair should keep surface deterioration from worsening, but you should call a concrete contractor for more severe cracking and spalling. If water is allowed into the voids in the concrete, it will eventually seep into the base course and cause your pavement to sink. As with most pavement issues, addressing cracking and spalling early on will be easier and more cost effective than waiting for the problem to worsen.
Posted by Jennifer Picard on Thu, May 05, 2011 @ 03:45 PM
Potholes and uneven pavement surfaces cause pedestrian accidents, as well as motorcycle and bicycle crashes that could have been avoided if the pavement was properly maintained. Injuries can range from small scrapes, cuts and gashes to traumatic head injuries, broken bones, and back and neck injuries.
Property owners are held liable for these sorts of damages, as they are responsible for maintaining their pavement surfaces.
How to fix potholes and uneven pavement surfaces quickly:
Both of these issues are best handled with removal of the affected area and replacement patching with new materials.
Potholes
Since potholes are generally caused by a failed base course, the old asphalt and base materials must be removed. Then, a new base course is added back and compacted, followed by a new layer of compacted asphalt.
While asphalt patching is the best long-term solution, a quicker fix would be to simply fill the pothole with cold-patch asphalt. Please note that this is only recommended in case of emergency because the patch is very temporary and it's durability is unpredictable (in some cases, it may only last a day or so).
Sunken Concrete Panels
Sunken concrete panels signify that the base course has weakened and needs to be replaced. Similar to asphalt patching, the old materials are removed, and replaced with new, compacted layers of base course and concrete.
Again, there is a faster and more cost effective solution to this problem - the concrete slabs that are not sunken in can be grinded down until the surface is flush. Since this does not address the cause of the problem, it will only be a temporary solution until the sunken panel lowers more, and is therefore not recommended.
Lifted Asphalt and Concrete Panels
Lifted asphalt and concrete panels are often the result of tree roots growing in under the pavement. The long-term solution includes removal and replacement, in addition to clipping tree roots or containing them with root barriers. Alternatively, the surface can be grinded down for a shorter-term solution.
Posted by Jennifer Picard on Fri, Apr 29, 2011 @ 12:52 PM
Causes of Uneven Concrete Surfaces
Concrete surfaces, such as sidewalks and patios, may become uneven for one of two main reasons:
1. The concrete pavement has sunken due to unstable base or material warping
2. The concrete pavement has been pushed up by tree roots
Why you should repair uneven concrete surfaces
Uneven pavement should be fixed immediately to avoid trip hazards. People can be seriously hurt and may choose to take legal action against you for negligence.
Solutions
The good news is that you have options.
The first is to grind down the pavement to create a flat, and properly graded, surface. This will not address sub-base or tree root problems and should not be considered a long-term solution in those cases.
The more appropriate solution is to remove and replace the concrete slab. In doing so, you can address the cause of the problem. The subgrade may need to be replaced and properly compacted, or the tree roots may need to be trimmed/contained.
Prevention of Uneven Concrete Surfaces
Cracks in the concrete pavement allow water into the sub-grade, which is a cause of concrete faulting (breaking at the joint) and settling. These cracks should be sealed before they get too big.
Posted by Jennifer Picard on Wed, Apr 20, 2011 @ 03:30 PM
Speed bumps and speed humps can help slow traffic speed, decrease traffic and increase safety in both residential and commercial areas.
Speed bumps are designed for low volume, low speed areas, such as private driveways and parking lots because they cause most vehicles to slow down to 5 miles/hour or less. This is because they are abrupt, with a height between 2-6" over a travel length of 6" to 3'.
Speed humps are designed for residential neighborhoods, such as HOAs, because they have a more gradual rise and fall - so the driver may only have to slow down to 15-20 miles/hour. They generally have a travel length of 12-22' and a height of 3-4".
Drawbacks of Speed Bumps/Humps
Sped bumps and humps can cause vehicle damage, increased vehicle emmissions, increased response times for emergency vehicles and may be dangerous to bicyclists and motorcyclists.
Rubber vs Asphalt
Asphalt is a more solid and permanent solution, with minimal maintenance and easy repair. Rubber, on the other hand, are portable and easy to install, but are not very secure or durable.
Design Tips
Place them near street lights, use warning signs and road markings. Do NOT place them in the middle of a road curve, sloped roads, areas reserved for handicapped motorists or routes frequented by emergency vehicles.
Posted by Jennifer Picard on Wed, Apr 06, 2011 @ 10:30 AM
For equivalent pavement designs, which is more environmentally friendly: asphalt or concrete?
Asphalt
- lower ore and fertilizer input requirements
- lower toxic production emissions
- recycled in larger quantities
Concrete
- lower energy input
- lower levels of hazardous waste generation
- less maintenance
- stiffer driving surface makes vehicles more fuel efficient, reduces emissions
- reduce energy demand for lighting
The verdict
Resource input and environmental outputs are about equal over the life of each material. However, one material may be more appropriate than another in any given scenario, so functionality should be taken into consideration when choosing between asphalt and concrete.
Posted by Jennifer Picard on Mon, Apr 04, 2011 @ 03:49 PM
Asphalt is affected by both natural and man-made elements, such as ultraviolet rays, moisture, oil and anti-freeze. Sun and water oxidize asphalt pavement, causing it to dry out and crack. As water and chemicals get into the pavement, it begins to deteriorate at a quicker rate, until the pavement fails completely and needs to be replaced in as little as 8-10 years.
Crack filling and seal coating your asphalt pavement can help prevent this from happening. If done in the spring time, you can protect your pavement from water for the duration of the rainy season and also reap the benefits of sun protection once summer hits. Seal coat will also add a protective layer between the asphalt surface and harmful chemicals.
Seal coating every 2-5 years will double or triple the life of your asphalt pavement, while keeping it aesthetically pleasing and safe (poorly maintained pavement can cause a tripping hazard).
See the difference a fresh application of seal coat can make? The pavement on the left is about to be sealed, while the pavement on the right has been seal coated and striped.
Posted by Jennifer Picard on Thu, Mar 31, 2011 @ 02:20 PM
Potholes form when the pavement deteriorates and loose material separates from the rest of the road surface. Water in the pothole causes further cracks and breaks in the road surface and can cause the entire road to fail. Repairing a pothole prevents further deterioration of the road. Although not a good long-term solution, asphalt cold patch is an inexpensive and quick do-it-yourself repair.
What you will need:
- Asphalt cold patch (available at most home stores)
- Shovel/Broom/Vacuum
- Hose with a spray nozzle
- Emulsified asphalt liquid (optional)
- 4x4, tamper, trowel or plywood
How to fix a pothole:
It's best to fix a pothole on a warm dry day.
- Remove all loose asphalt from the pothole (you may want to use a shovel, broom or vacuum) so the cold-patch will properly bond.
- Dampen the pothole to keep the dust settled (do not soak it, though).
- Prime the repair area with emulsified asphalt liquid (optional).
- Fill the pothole with 2 inches of cold patch asphalt.
- Compact the patch down, starting at the outside. You can use the end of a 4x4, a tamper or a trowel. You can also drive over the patch with your car tire, although this won't compact the edges.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5, until the pothole is completely filled and compacted. The filled pothole should be even with the rest of the pavement.
- Throw some sand over your patch so it blends in with your driveway and won't stick to your shoes or tires.
- Your cold patch will need 12-36 hours to cure, and you should not drive on it until after then. If you plan to seal coat, wait 2-5 days.
As previously mentioned, cold patch asphalt is not a good long-term solution, and you may want to hire a professional paving contractor to replace your pothole repair when time/weather/money permits.
Posted by Jennifer Picard on Mon, Mar 21, 2011 @ 12:14 PM
With spring starting yesterday and the rainy season well underway, potholes are beginning to pop up everywhere.
So, what causes potholes?
- Tiny cracks begin forming in asphalt pavement as it ages, allowing water to get under the surface and weaken the base layers.
- More water gets into the base and it begins to erode, leaving a void between the base and the pavement.
- The weight of vehicles cannot be supported by the weakened base, and more cracks form and begin to interlock in a pattern known as "alligator cracking”.
- Vehicle traffic eventually works the chunks of pavement between cracks loose and, once a chunk is picked out of the surface, the pothole continues to grow through continued removal of broken chunks of pavement.
If a pothole fills with water the growth may be accelerated, as the water "washes away" loose particles of road surface as vehicles pass.
This process is also accelerated by freeze-thaw cycles, in which the water under the pavement freezes during colder temperatures, pushing the asphalt upward as it expands. When the ice melts, a void will be left between the base and the pavement, causing the asphalt to collapse under vehicle traffic.
If you notice potholes forming in your parking lot, call Alaniz Construction for a free quote before your problem gets worse! (510) 770-5000
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.