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Not having a concrete driveway designed to support your vehicle’s drive (car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.) or a space dedicated to their temporary parking can be very problematic. Imagine getting out of your car and lugging the mud/dirt on the undersides of your shoes into your homes. Not a great thought? Hence the need to build a driveway for your cars! Here, a suitable material for making an efficient track is concrete. Let Straight Edge Contractors install a durable concrete driveway for you anywhere in El Paso, TX. We are a team of professional and well-qualified driveway contractors who can expertly handle all your driveway installation needs. Click here to book your slot today! We’ll discuss concrete driveway, their type, and the installation process in today’s blog. Concrete Type For Driveway Following are the top three type of concrete that you can choose for your driveway to enhance its aesthetics and durability. Printed Concrete Printed concrete is one of the best options for a robust floor covering. This material has the advantage of being resistant to bad weather and corrosion. The aesthetic aspect is also one of the strengths of this type of concrete. You have many possibilities to personalize it. For example, you can choose the shape, appearance, and color of the driveway. However, the installation cost may be slightly higher. Colored Concrete If you don’t appreciate the grayish tint of classic concrete, brighten your exterior with colored concrete. With this material, you can give your driveway a creative look, which is appealing both aesthetic and originality wise. You will find a whole range of colors from colored concrete suppliers, as well as floating, swept, or smooth effects. Since it is colored, this type of concrete is distinguished by its durability but is a bit costly. Deactivated Concrete Deactivated concrete is categorized as decorative exterior flooring. It is characterized by a rough surface. In other words, its external appearance resembles a gravel driveway. But, with a few differences, you can easily customize this type of concrete. Thanks to the colored pigment in the elemental composition of concrete, deactivated concrete can be tinted according to the owner’s taste. Apart from its aesthetic appearance and its non-slip property, deactivated concrete is known for its high resistance to external aggressions. On the price side, this material costs more. Installing A Concrete Driveway No matter how tough or rough the “concrete” word sound, its installation is straightforward and easy. All you need to do is follow these five steps to install a brand new concrete driveway. Preparation Of Concrete Following the foundation completion and the formwork installation, you must define the quantity of concrete you will need. Then you have to mix up your concrete with a concrete mixer. Use a wheelbarrow if the concrete mixer is not available or usable. Payment Pour the concrete inside the formwork. Spread the concrete evenly (pay particular attention to the corners of the formwork where the concrete has the most difficulty accumulating due to friction). Settlement Pack the concrete. Remove the excess with a float or shovel. Fill in roughness and inhomogeneity. Finishing If you want to get deactivated concrete, you can pour a deactivator on the surface of your still fresh concrete. Then, using a high-pressure cleaner, you will be able to expose the aggregates to obtain an exceptionally aesthetic look. You can also use a pressure washer while the concrete is still fresh, without resorting to a deactivator, to obtain the same result as above. Drying Time Like all surface and outdoor work, it is necessary to cover the structure with waterproof protection (remember to hold the cover with brick or concrete block to prevent it from blowing away). Allow 3 to 5 days maximum before removing the formwork if you are not pressed for time. Otherwise, 48h is a good compromise, often chosen by professionals. Need more help with concrete driveway installation? Click here to talk to Straight Edge Contractors ‘ experts today. We offer asphalt and concrete paving services for all residing in El Paso, TX at reasonable rates. Schedule Your Free Estimate!

Commercial and residential property owners have a lot they need to contemplate and many choices to consider. However, not all options are appropriate for all kinds of projects, so you need to make an informed decision regarding your paving project. One such choice is between flexible and rigid pavement. Straight Edge Contractors offers matchless paving solutions to commercial and residential clients in Las Cruces, NM. Click here to receive a free estimate for line striping your parking lot. All hard surfaced pavement can be categorized into two groups – flexible and rigid pavement. However, in order to know exactly what kind of pavement is the perfect addition to your property, you need to learn more about both. Flexible Pavement Flexible pavement are made from asphalt or bituminous aggregates. They are more adaptable when exposed to elements – they deflect and bend according to external factors like weather and traffic loads. The initial cost of installing flexible pavement is low, and with regular maintenance, they can last around 10 to 15 years. Also, as flexible pavement require regular maintenance, repair work becomes easy. Since flexible pavement are applied in thick layers, they can withstand frequent and heavy traffic, which makes them ideal for highways and roadways. Flexible pavement are applied in layers. The weakest materials are layered at the bottom, while the more durable materials are layered at the top in order to ensure adaptability and structural integrity of the structure. Since the top layer alone does not have to bear the entire load of traffic (weight is distributed amongst all the layers), flexible pavement are more structurally sound and much less likely to collapse due to heavyweight. Rigid Pavement Rigid pavement are difficult to install and maintain. They are made of cement concrete with a sub-base and base. Rigid pavement have a high flexural strength, which is why no layer bends under pressure. Since there is no grain to grain load transferring, the top layer of concrete absorbs most of the weight and pressure from external factors like traffic. Rigid pavement are less susceptible to grease and oil stains. Although the installation of a rigid concrete pavement is very expensive, the maintenance cost is reasonable. And since rigid pavement are durable and have a long service life, they are a worthwhile investment. Flexible vs. Rigid – Which One Is Right for Your Property? Suppose you have a commercial property that receives a lot of traffic, then your parking lot will require a lot of maintenance. In that case, you will need a flexible pavement as it is more cost-efficient and doesn’t require frequent repair or replacement, maybe once a decade. On the other hand, rigid pavement have a long service life of around 30 years, yet they need a great deal of maintenance so they can remain functional for that long. Therefore, you need to consider your installation and property maintenance budget before deciding if that is the ideal pavement choice for you. Another factor that you need to consider while choosing a pavement type is the aggregate thickness. As it has more layers, the thickness of flexible pavement is greater than a rigid pavement that has fewer layers, which is why a rigid pavement is susceptible to more repairs. Straight Edge Contractors offers durable and long-lasting paving and maintenance solutions in Las Cruces, NM. Click here to get a free estimate. Schedule Your Free Estimate!

Are you trying to decide whether to get stamped concrete or concrete pavers for your driveway/walkway, front, or backyard? This guide will help you make the right decision! Straight Edge Contractors is a professional paving firm ready to fulfill all your paving needs in Las Cruces, NM. Click here to hire us today! While there will many people advocating for stamped concrete, others may think concrete pavers to be better. But what is the right choice for you? Let’s find out. Design and Construction Stamped Concrete: Liquid concrete is poured onto the surface to be coated and leveled. Then, before it starts to dry, patterns are stamped (pressed) to give it an aesthetic appeal. This is quite a complicated job because you have to be both fast and precise. If the concrete dries before it is completely stamped, or if you make a mistake in the stamped patterns, then you have no choice but to redo the entire slab! It may take up to five days for the stamped concrete to dry and harden. Concrete Paver: Pavers are prefabricated blocks of cement, placed one after another on a prepared surface. Before laying the blocks, the surface is dug to a suitable depth and filled with the “base” or foundation. This involves pouring concrete over the excavated surface, then spreading the base over it. The weight of each block causes it to adhere to the concrete base. The paving blocks are placed on the base in the desired pattern. Once installed, they are open to traffic. Look and Feel Stamped Concrete: Stamped concrete is more customizable. You are free to add any color you want to the mix. There are several stamping designs available in the market too, and with a little mixing and matching, they are sure to look unique. When finished, the surface looks and feels quite hard and solid. Concrete Paver: While smaller in comparison, paver blocks are also available in many colors, patterns, and finishes. And with a little creativity, you can make many unique designs. Durability and Resistance Stamped Concrete: The concrete material cannot expand with heat or contract while it is cooled. So, during the rainy or snowy season, the external pressure from the vehicles’ load can cause cracks in the surface. The repairing can be costly and time-consuming. However, one way to cover the cracks is by modeling a textured finish to hide cracks better. Or you can seal coat the surface every three or four years to prevent it from deterioration. Concrete Paver: Concrete patio paver blocks are molded under very high pressure, making them much more resistant to environmental changes. The only weak link in this otherwise durable chain is the sand infill between each block and weed growth. However, if you carefully lay the foundation and choose the right quality and sand infill grade, the paver can be more durable and resistant than stamped concrete. Safety and Convenience Stamped Concrete: Stamped concrete tends to be more slippery, especially during rain and snowfall. But, one way to avoid this is to use a suitable non-slip coating. Moreover, if leveling is not appropriately done during construction, water could collect on the surface, making it slippery and dangerous to use. Concrete Paver: Because the individual blocks come together during construction, there are many grooves between the blocks, allowing for more efficient drainage of water from the surface. However, this hinged design has a drawback. Over time, individual blocks can start to detach or lift, which can cause sudden tripping accidents. Initial Cost and Maintenance Stamped Concrete: There are no such initial costs of stamped concrete, but the grim fact is that periodic maintenance costs are likely to be considerably higher. Since these surfaces are prone to cracking and much more wear, repairing requires heavy machine tools and equipment. At times, you might need to replace the entire slab. Concrete Paver: The initial investment on pavers may be higher in comparison, but a well-constructed paver can be virtually maintenance-free. The higher durability of these blocks ensures your track withstands the harshest weather conditions, stress, and friction-induced wear without breaking down. And even when they do break down, fixing them is much easier than stamped concrete. Need professional assistance before you decide on the best paving option? Click here to get a free estimate for your paver installation project with Straight Edge Contractors today. We also offer expert asphalt and concrete paving services in Las Cruces, NM. Schedule Your Free Estimate!

Whether it’s your residential or commercial property, determining which pavement paint to use is not a cakewalk. It involves various factors that ensure your pavement is durable and provides maximum performance at all times. At Straight Edge Contractors, we provide concrete and asphalt paving solutions for all commercial or residential properties in Las Cruces, NM, at the best prices. Click here to book your slots today! This guide can help you choose the best pavement paint, along with excellent marking materials, to make your paving project a success. Factors Determining The Best Pavement Paint Durability First, you need to identify the intended use of your asphalt paving. If it’s built for heavy traffic, it will require durable markings, which calls for a durable painting product. On the other hand, if the pavement is a back road or a lightly used lot, regular paint will suffice. Weather Conditions Do you experience heavy rainfall throughout the year? Or does it get particularly sunny during the day? The point is to choose a paint that protects your pavement surface from the elements. You can use traditional, high-quality paint in areas with mild climates. Reflectivity Please note that in adverse weather conditions, pavement markings are required to reflect when light strikes them. This ensures that the pavement markings are visible to drivers. That’s why it is crucial to stay informed about any reflectivity requirements for your project. By doing so, not only can you take necessary actions but also meet the safety codes. Paint Types Used for Pavement Marking/Striping Although there are several different kinds of pavement paints, these are the most popular options: Water-Based Paint One of the cheapest yet durable products, water-based paint is the go-to choice for many pavers. It causes the least interruption to the traffic as it dries very quickly, typically in 15 minutes of application. It is also the most environment-friendly paint of all. Oil/Solvent Based Paint Unlike water-based paints, oil-based colors are more effective and durable, even in cold temperatures. You can choose from the varying qualities of oil-based paints as per your needs. Reflective Paint If parking lots or roads are situated in a low-lit area, reflective paint is your safest bet! This paint includes glass beads that reflect pavement markings when the light from the car’s headlights strikes them. Thermoplastic Paint As the name suggests, thermoplastic paint consists of plastic. This makes the material more durable than others, meaning you won’t have to re-apply the paint often. However, the only downside is the cost. Thermoplastic is one of the most expensive pavement paint available. Types of Pavement Line Striping Dimensions Standard Lines The standard line is 100 to 150 mm wide and represents the driver’s position on the pavement. The colors used are white and yellow. Wide Lines Wide lines are 40 to 50 cm wide. It represents pedestrian crossing or end-stopped lines on the pavement. Skip Lines Skip lines are formed by breaking one line segment. They separate traffic flow and allow drivers to go straight. And skip lines also delineate the cycle lane boundary. Double Lines Double lines are found in the center of the pavement to separate the traffic flow. Moreover, they indicate whether crossing between the lanes is allowed or not. Diagonal Lines Diagonal lines on the pavement indicate that the area in a non-driving zone. They are straight lines applied to give a slanted look. To obtain more information about the perfect pavement paint for your next project in Las Cruces, NM, click here to get a quote from Straight Edge Contractors today! Schedule Your Free Estimate!

A cracked or strained driveway not only degrades your property’s aesthetics but also depreciates its value and performance. Therefore, it’s crucial to treat your driveway with the best driveway concrete sealer. This way, not only can you extend its service life but also enhance your driveway’s appeal and performance by double. As experts say, sealing a concrete driveway is not too expensive, nor does it require heavy machinery. If you plan to use a sealer on your driveway, feel free to connect with Straight Edge Contractors. We are an asphalt and concrete paving company ready to fulfill your pavement needs anywhere in Midland, TX, at affordable rates. Click here to get an estimate of our premium services today! Choosing the best driveway concrete sealer can be overwhelming but not when you have our experts’ assistance. This blog includes top-class concrete sealers that can stave off stains and prevent discoloration from chemicals on driveways. 1. Quikrete Concrete Cure and Seal Have you freshly laid your driveway? Quikrete Cure and Seal for concrete surfaces can be the best sealer for you. You have to apply it with a roller or a sprayer on the fresh concrete and wait for it to dry and harden for a few hours. Once the sealant has been applied and has thoroughly dried, it will be left with a soft satin look, indicating that the driveway is ready to take on the vehicle’s weight. Moreover, your driveway won’t dry, crack, or flake quickly or easily after this concrete sealer has been applied. 2. Foundation Armor Clear Concrete Sealer While other sealers tend to protect your driveway for a maximum of three years, Foundation Armor’s penetrating concrete sealer can protect for seven to ten years. A single coat of this concrete sealer can keep the appearance of your driveway as good as new and prevent all de-icing chemicals, stains, salts, and other materials from ruining your driveway’s structure. Plus, the superior water-shedding ability and ease of application of this concrete sealer make it one of the top seller products around town. 3. Quikrete High Gloss Concrete Sealer Often, property managers like giving their driveway a wet look. Here, Quikrete’s Concrete and Masonry High Gloss Sealer protects your driveway from grease and oil spills as well as food stains and de-icing chemicals. However, ensure cleaning the spilled acids before it leaves a stain as it can dull the surface. Experts recommend two coats of this concrete sealer applied with a high-density foam roller for optimal results. It gives the driveway a beautiful wet look while enriching the blackness of the surface. Lastly, before buying a concrete sealer for your driveway, ensure reading the product label and the technical sheet. You can search keywords such as dust proofing, resistance to oil, grease, acid, breathability, waterproofing, non-yellowing, and many more to get the best quality sealer with proven performance and results. At Straight Edge Contractors, we offer premium driveway sealing, coating, and installation services in Midland, TX. Click here to explore our asphalt and concreteservices and book your slot for your next sealing project. Schedule Your Free Estimate!

Ensuring that the lines in your parking lot are fresh and visible is something all property managers and owners should make sure of. While it might not appear to be a big issue, even if the lines fade, it is. Line striping is a critical feature for commercial parking lots, which is why they need restriping every 12 to 14 months. The maximum amount of time the line striping can last is two years. Straight Edge Contractors offers matchless paving solutions to commercial and residential clients in Las Cruces, NM. Click here to receive a free estimate for line striping your parking lot. Below are five solid reasons why your parking lot might need a line striping makeover. Increase in fender-benders An increase in fender-benders, broken taillights, and accidents in your parking lot, indicate faded line stripes; The lines in the parking lot alert drivers where they need to drive carefully, where to stop or wait, like pedestrian crossing and lanes. Thus, if the indicators fade, drivers’ will end up making mistakes, and since those accidents were caused due to your negligence and ill-maintenance, you can end up with a lawsuit. Sloppy parking An indicator that your parking lot needs line striping is sloppy parking. If drivers cannot see the lines clearly, they will park their cars outside a parking stall or against the fishbone. Line striping highlights parking spots so drivers know where they can and cannot park. Line striping maximizes parking space by the smart allocation of the space. If no space is wasted due to incorrect or inefficient parking, drivers can leave the parking lot without inconvenience. Also, drivers will be able to climb out of their cars easily without scratching the neighboring vehicles. Misuse of accessibility stalls As per the ADA guidelines related to parking lots, a specific number of accessibility spots need to be dedicated to people with disabilities. Furthermore, it is the property manager’s job to ensure that handicapped parking spots are not used by regular drivers by putting up signs, line striping, and placing fines. Therefore, if the line striping fades and ADA guidelines are violated, the commercial parking lot owners can be sued or incur hefty fines. So if drivers are repeatedly misusing accessibility parking, consider getting the line striping redone. Obscured visibility Line striping needs to be visible even in the worst conditions. However, if drivers cannot see the lines in your parking lot due to a thin cover of snow or rainwater after a storm, then it is probably time that you get a fresh coat painted over your existing line striping. Worn down wheel stops Line striping around a stall also indicates the presence of wheel stops to clients. However, if the marking in your parking lot fade, drivers cannot break in time due to the lack of a proper indication. As a result, the wheel stops disappear under the vehicle’s bumpers and wheels, which causes damage and scuff marks. Straight Edge Contractors offers long-wearing parking lot striping in Las Cruces, NM. Click here to get a free estimate. Schedule Your Free Estimate!

A pretty pavilion surrounded by an equally stunning garden is the dream of many project managers. But, so that the dream does not turn into a nightmare and that you do not find yourself having to spend your days cleaning your interior, it is crucial to think about your exterior’s organization. At Straight Edge Contractors, we offer expert asphalt and concrete paving services to make your driveway or parking lot durable with optimal performance. If you are residing in Midland, TX, click here to hire our professional team to work on your next paving project at economical rates! In this blog, you will find some factors that will allow you to properly consider your spaces’ organization and keep your paving strong for years to come. 1. Moisture You may like rainy or snowy days, but it is not a good time for installing new pavement. Because the moisture formed can destroy the quality of the material used, it ultimately comprises the pavement’s performance. That’s why it is recommended to choose the weather other than winter or fall so that the paving material has enough time to compact within the surface. 2. Maintenance Like most property owners, you might also believe that the maintenance process starts once the project is finished. This, however, is not true as the maintenance of the pavement is done side by side during the installation process. By doing so, you can check whether the material you are using is good and the surface forming is sustainable enough to last a specific period. 3. Site Preparation Whether it is for a road, driveway, or parking lot, paving requires thorough planning and preparation. It is not something that you can begin and end in a day. Therefore, firstly, you need to prepare the location where you want to lay the asphalt or concrete. For this, you are required to create a solid subgrade foundation that is strong enough to support a pavement structure. Suppose the weather at the location remains cold throughout the year. In that case, you may also need to evacuate any unsuitable soil from the surface to ensure greater strength and resistance in the pavement. 4. Vehicle Anticipation This is one of the most critical factors that property managers often neglect while paving. If you don’t anticipate the vehicle type and its weight before laying the pavement, your pavement might not be strong enough to support it. Experts recommend thick layers for small cars and trucks. On the other hand, thicker pavement layers are ideal if you are installing parking lots. Remember, the pavement’s design and longevity of the paving material largely depends on the traffic load. Property managers residing in Midland, TX, recognize Straight Edge Contractors as the most competent and reliable paving and maintenance contracting company. Connect with us today, and we can help you design and plan your next project in no time! Click here to get a free quote on your project today! Schedule Your Free Estimate!

A blacktop surface typically lasts around 20 to 25 years, depending on the traffic it receives and maintenance. Timely repair and regular maintenance can extend your asset’s service life and keep your asphalt driveway looking brand new, thereby boosting your property’s curb appeal. Are you looking into paving solutions in El Paso, TX? Do you need an idea about all that goes into an asphalt repair project? Consider Straight EdgeContractors. Just click here to get a free estimate. Two factors determine the best time for an asphalt driveway repair: Damage Season Let’s explore them in greater detail. Damage: Although it is ideal to carry out immediate repair as soon as any damage emerges, sometimes it becomes impossible due to budgetary constraints and other issues. That is where the extent of damage comes in. Get a professional inspection done of your asphalt surface to determine the kind and extent of damage it is exhibiting. If the damage is minor, like hairline cracks with little side deterioration, it can be delayed for a few days or weeks. However, potholes and alligator cracking require immediate repair. Potholes and larger cracks allow water into the pavement, damaging the foundation and speeding up the deterioration. Tip: If the top layer of your blacktop driveway is badly damaged, then get it resurfaced before the base and sub-base get damaged too. Also, resurfacing adds an additional 8 to 15 years to the life of your pavement. Season: Certain projects require specific weather conditions for their proper execution. While in some cases, these conditions can be achieved artificially, in others, it becomes impossible. Generally, the best time to carry out most asphalt paving projects is during summer when the weather is hot and dry. Take pothole repair, for example. During winters, when the temperatures are low, and there is snowfall, fog, or rainfall, a hot mix asphalt cannot be applied, so patching and other permanent solutions go out the window. However, a throw-and-go cold mix asphalt can be used to fill the pothole temporarily, so no moisture can enter into the pavement and cause further damage. Keeping both these factors in mind, the best thing you can do is get a professional paving firm to come and assess the condition of your asphalt driveway. The results of their inspection will give you a better idea of what the best time would be for you to get your pavement repaired. Experts will also better guide you of the course of action and possible solutions (both temporary and permanent) depending on the situation. Yet, if we are to give a precise answer, here you go. Question: When is the best time for an asphalt driveway repair? Answer: During the summers, as soon as the damage is visible on the asphalt surface. Straight Edge Contractors provide premium paving solutions in El Paso, TX. Click here to get a free estimate. Schedule Your Free Estimate!

Asphalt is considered the strongest paving material, which is why majority of the roads, parking lots, and driveways today are made of asphalt. Are you looking for expert paving and maintenance services in Midland, TX? Straight Edge provides high-quality services at reasonable rates. Click here to get a free quote now. We are available for you 24/7. Regardless of how sustainable asphalt is, it isn’t by any means indestructible. It can develop cracks, depression, and potholes, especially if the seal coat has worn off. What causes potholes to appear? Weather and wear are to asphalt, what kryptonite is to Superman. In other words, exposure to weather elements, and being in use for years, are what damage asphalt. Majority of the potholes appear in spring. It sounds unbelievable, but it’s real and there is a very reasonable explanation for it. Over the years, asphalt’s water resistance reduces, especially as seal coats wear off. This results in water seeping below the surface, into the lower or foundational layers of asphalt. The water that has seeped inside expands and contracts with changes in temperature. So the water that was compact in winter will start to expand in spring and will need more space. These expansions and contractions of water weaken the materials inside the surface, leading to weak spots. When heavy-duty vehicles pass over these weak spots, the previously compact material will now give way, causing potholes to appear. How can potholes be repaired? There are a number of methods for pothole repair, including cold patches and spray-injections. However, a more durable solution is a hot asphalt patch. Here’s how you can put a hot asphalt patch. Steps for asphalt repair 1. Use a shovel to clean the pothole. Remove all dirt, debris, rocks, and pieces of proven asphalt. Any of these materials left behind can weaken the new pavement. 2. Heat the pothole to remove all moisture that is in the existing pavement. Heating also softens the material for the asphalt application. 3. Use a diamond blade saw to cut out the edges of the pothole, so all damaged asphalt is removed. The good asphalt that is left will provide a strong foundation for the new material. 4. Add the hot asphalt mix into the hole. 5. Compact the new asphalt that is added to the pothole to increase water resistance and reduce penetration. Also, compaction bonds the old asphalt to the new one to form a smooth and strong surface. 6. Let the asphalt patch cool and remove debris that may be left around the repaired area. Most asphalt patches are ready to be driven on within a few hours. However, as precaution, it’s better to avoid driving over them for a few days. If your asphalt surface has developed more than a few potholes, then the best thing to do is getting it repaved. Straight Edge provides a matchless pothole repair service in Midland, TX. Contact us for more information, or click here to get a free quote now. Schedule Your Free Estimate!

As a property manager in El Paso, TX, you may have some asphalt pavement assets to take care of. Asphalt maintenance can become a nuisance, especially if you have an aging parking lot that keeps asking for repairs. But what if you are running on a budget? How do you apportion funds for asphalt repair while at the same time keep expenses in check? This is where your annual maintenance budget comes in. At Straight Edge Contractors, we help property managers evaluate the condition of their pavement and recommend the necessary repairs. This makes budgeting easy. Click here to get an estimate for our services. Here we list four ways you can prepare yourself financially for asphalt projects. 1. Evaluate The Pavement’s Condition Your asphalt pavement’s condition determines how much money you will have to spend on maintenance and repairs. This is especially true for commercial pavement like parking lots, as they get high daily traffic. Also, see whether the damage is in a particular area or spread over the surface. For instance, you may notice depressions in your parking lot’s loading area caused by heavy traffic. Fixing such issues is less expensive than, say, resurfacing the entire lot. This brings us to the next point. 2. Repair Or Replace? When it comes to paving materials, asphalt offers excellent durability. The average pavement can last up to two decades. That said, there comes a time in the pavement’s life cycle when it is no longer feasible to spend money on repairs. That money would be better spent on repaving your pavement. So, determine whether you need to repair or replace your asphalt pavement when creating a budget. 3. Consider The Lifecycle As we just discussed, you need to know your pavement’s lifecycle. If you installed a parking lot less than a decade ago, you probably wouldn’t have to bear any major repairs. However, if the pavement has crossed the 15-year mark, it is prudent to start budgeting for a replacement. 4. Check For Cracks Not all cracks are dangerous. You can easily repair cracks that are less than an inch deep with crack filling and sealing. But if they are not fixed on time, cracks can expand with the freeze-thaw cycle and damage the entire surface. The size of the cracks will determine how much you need to spend to get them fixed. Before summing up, you should also factor in the time required for maintenance. As a property manager, you have to consider the time and work-flow needed for each parking lot paving project and inform your residents, tenants, employees, customers, etc. The best way to go about it is by partnering with a reliable asphalt paving contractor. Your contractor will not only provide accurate estimates but will also offer emergency services. Ultimately, a reliable asphalt paving contractor will help you save time and money with asphalt repairs. Property managers in El Paso, TX, can always reach out to Straight Edge Contractors. Click here to get an estimate for our services. Schedule Your Free Estimate!

Recycling anything is good for the environment. When we talk about asphalt, paving your parking lot with recycled aggregate is an excellent and cost-effective option. Recycled asphalt is all around us. More than 80% of the asphalt removed from roads and highways is recycled and used for residential and commercial applications. Overall, asphalt is one of the most recycled materials in the US. At Straight Edge Contractors, we pave parking lots in Las Cruces, NM, with both new and recycled asphalt. Click here to get an estimate. Here’s why you should use recycled materials for paving when constructing or repairing your parking lot. 1. Conserve The Environment To start off, recycled asphalt is an eco-friendly paving option. It reduces construction wastage since the paving materials will not be sent to a landfill. Moreover, natural resources are conserved when mineral particles produced are recycled during the parking lot paving process. Looking at the big picture, using old asphalt reduces the amount of oil needed during construction, leading to lower demand for foreign oil. You can also create a positive image for your business by using recycled paving materials. Promoting yourself as a socially responsible company also helps to attract more customers. 2. Save Money Moving on, you can save money by using old asphalt. And if asphalt is recycled on-site, you can also lower transportation costs. For asphalt contractors, recycled asphalt reduces costs on energy, materials, and transportation, which will lower the project’s overall cost. Moreover, asphalt can be recycled and reused multiple times. This means you can continue to use the same asphalt for milling and overlays or minor resurfacing. 3. Improve Quality Asphalt is one of the best materials for paving. And you can increase the quality of your asphalt pavement by using recycled asphalt. Recycling asphalt improves HMA mixes and asphalt stiffness, which protects against cracking and rutting. This, in turn, helps to save maintenance and repair costs over time. 4. How Is Asphalt Recycled? Asphalt recycling begins with milling – a process where the pavement’s top layer is removed without disturbing the sub-base. Recycling is usually performed on asphalt taken from the top layer when the foundation is still intact. The milled asphalt is taken to the plant, where it is screened for impurities and sized again for reuse. As already mentioned, asphalt companies can also recycle on-site using pulverization. This process involves grinding up the surface layer and blending the asphalt layers with the sub-base layers. Essentially, pulverization creates a new foundation using recycled paving materials. This is an excellent way to make your existing pavement stronger. Pulverization also saves time and money since the old base layers don’t have to be removed, and you don’t need to pay or wait for hauling new material. To sum up, recycled asphalt is a viable option for paving. You can save money, ensure a sturdier pavement, and play your part in conserving the environment. Business owners in Las Cruces, NM, can reach out to Straight Edge Contractors for parking lot paving. Click here to get a free estimate. Schedule Your Free Estimate!

When it comes to paving, nothing beats the strength and durability of concrete. However, at some point, all concrete pavement surfaces experience cracking as well as other signs of damage. If your pavement has worn out or showing signs of aging, don’t ignore the warning signs and get it repaired immediately. At Straight Edge Contractors, we provide high-quality concrete paving and repair services in Midland, TX. Click here to get a free quote. Today, we will list down some possible scenarios where it is better to call your contractor instead of handling concrete repairs on your own. Cosmetic Issues To start off, cosmetic issues arise on a concrete surface if the initial paving was handled poorly. For instance, you may notice small pieces of concrete popping out of the pavement or hairline cracks on the surface. Repairing these cosmetic issues mostly requires a thin resurfacing job. If you performed the initial work yourself, chances are you may not have mixed the cement properly. In this case, you should call your contractor to fix the cosmetic issues. And if a contractor performed the initial paving, then it’s time to call a new one! Structural Cracking Not all concrete cracks require professional expertise. In most cases, property owners can fix minor cracks on their own without spending a lot of money. However, you need to call your contractor if there is structural cracking on your driveway or parking lot. This is the kind of cracking that can deteriorate the structural integrity of your pavement. Structural cracking commonly affects areas like support beams and columns, as well as load-bearing areas. Drainage Issues Some concrete issues are easy to ignore. But they end up worsening over time, putting your property at risk of significant damage. Drainage issues are a good example of factors that can severely deteriorate your concrete pavement, leading to costly repair work. That is why it is always a good investment to hire a certified contractor who can inspect your property to look for underlying drainage problems. If there is water trapped beneath the surface, you can expect water damage and cracking. This can worsen in winters when the water turns into ice and expands the cracks on your concrete. Moreover, fixing issues with broken or clogged gutters and drains goes well beyond the expertise of the average homeowner. One has to remove the concrete to spot the problem, fix the issue, and patch the repaired area again. Sunken Slabs Whether it is residential or commercial property, sunken concrete slabs are a trip hazard for pedestrians. You can patch sunken concrete as a quick fix (or to save money), but we strongly recommend that you call your contractor to provide a long-term solution. This is because concrete sinking is usually caused by sub-base erosion, which requires professional expertise to add fresh concrete under the surface. If you are looking for reliable concrete paving services in Midland, TX, click here to get in touch with Straight Edge Contractors. Schedule Your Free Estimate!