Not many parking lot paving materials can withstand the test of time and adverse weather conditions, but asphalt does. However, asphalt pavement can become a source of discomfort if you don’t take good care.
As a commercial property owner, you have an added incentive for taking care of your asphalt parking lot. A well-maintained parking lot leaves a lasting impression on the minds of customers visiting your company. Anyone aware of the rules of business knows how big a deal a good first impression is!
However, the question arises: what can you do to ensure your parking lot remains in pristine condition after the asphalt pavement is installed?
If you are unsure about what maintenance routine to follow, then you’re in the right place! This blog post lists the top four maintenance measures that can give your parking lot a freshly paved look for years to come.
- Keep It Clean
It is a no-brainer that keeping asphalt clean will earn you years of comfortable driving and optimal performance. Sweeping the dust and debris regularly or hiring the services of a cleaning company keeps your parking lot clean and tidy. Excess dust and debris on the parking lot give the impression that it is abandoned and no one is there to look after the property.
- Furnish Its Look
Preventing unnecessary damage and the appearance of potholes in your pavement is in your hands. If you don’t take immediate action against the crack formation and water accumulation in your parking lot then you’ll have to face the disastrous consequences that follow. Potholes and expanding cracks are a source of dread for all property owners, especially those looking forward to potential customers visiting their establishment!
- Avail Sealcoating Services
Sealcoating is a temporary fix and a preventive measure against many parking lot problems. Sealing the asphalt surface protects it from water penetration and the moisture that finds its way into the surface’s foundation through tiny pores. You need to schedule a sealcoating routine once every two years.
- Ensure Proper Pavement Markings
Remember, a parking lot must guide visitors around your property and feature spaces for efficient vehicle parking. An unmarked or poorly marked parking lot ends up confusing potential customers as they cannot find their way around the place. Similarly, faded parking lot lines also misguide the visitors as the instructions are not visible.
As an owner of a commercial property, you need to ensure that your parking lot is in perfect shape with proper line striping. Seeking the assistance of a professional maintenance team’s services will help you get the results you are looking for!
Straight Edge Contractors provide El Paso, Texas residents with quality asphalt repair and installation services. We also offer commercial asphalt paving services to boost your property’s curb appeal and make a good first impression on your customers. Get a free quote for our services or schedule an appointment with our professionals today!
Are you a parking lot owner? Do you want to install a new parking lot pavement? Is there an old parking lot you wish to purchase and renovate before opening it for the public? Whatever your plans are, there is one point for sure; owning a commercial property is not an easy decision.
Constructing a parking lot can no doubt generate profit for your business, but there are some laws and regulations you must abide by. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) proposes parking lots should be accessible by all drivers. If the parking area doesn’t comply with the ADA laws and rules, you can be in serious trouble with the law.
Therefore, ADA compliance is vital if you want to keep your parking lot functional and don’t want any problems. In this blog post, we will discuss seven ADA compliance guidelines for parking lots so that you – as a parking lot owner – do not have to face any inconveniences later.
ADA Compliance Guidelines for Parking Lots
Below are seven ADA compliance guidelines for parking lots that you need to know.
1. Accessibility – Check if you have sufficient accessible parking spots. You need to follow the proper ratio of accessible stalls that are ADA compliant.
2. Dimensions – Make sure that the accessible stalls are of suitable dimensions.
3. For people with disabilities – There must be sufficient accessible parking spaces near the entrance and exit to minimize the distance that people with disabilities have to cover from their car to the building and vice versa.
4. Identifiable – All accessible spots need to be identifiable. This way, all drivers will know which ones are reserved for ADA parking. You can paint additional markings in the appropriate color and put up signs to make them hard to miss.
5. Slopes & ramps – Build proper slopes and ramps nearby entrances and exits, keeping protection and adequate safety in mind.
6. No hindrances – Be sure that the ramps on the accessible route leading to the entrance are available. There should be no hindrances.
7. Truncated domes – Build truncated domes on surfaces where you need to warn drivers of grade changes or pathway hazards.
By following these points, you will stay true to the ADA compliance rules and regulations and assure safe parking and entry and exit from the property for all.
Are you looking for a professional paving contractor to construct an ADA-compliant parking lot? Contact Straight Edge Contractors without any delay. We offer you the best quality asphalt paving and parking lot line striping services with guaranteed results anywhere in Midland, TX. Get a free quote today!
Read This If You Want To Avoid A Pavement Disaster
Like other parts of your property, the pavement too has a limited lifespan. Improper installation methods and lack of frequent maintenance reduce the service years of your pavement, leading to a premature failure. A pavement disaster can be gradual or sudden, depending on the installation process and daily wear and tear. While sudden pavement failure is shocking for property owners, it can also increase the likelihood of sinkholes or other significant structural problems.
Regardless of how a pavement disaster occurs, your goal should be to avoid it at all costs. Replacing or repairing a pavement can be frustrating and costly. However, improper installation or lack of knowledge about the appropriate asphalt maintenance measures can lead to problems that leave you scratching your head in disbelief.
To help you avoid a pavement disaster, we’ve compiled a list of factors you need to be mindful of when installing an asphalt pavement.
Poor Soil
Even the best-designed and properly installed pavement will fail if the soil doesn’t meet the structural requirements. Therefore, you must be vigilant of the soil when starting a pavement project.
Structural problems in the soil, such as high-water content, can reduce its efficiency, resulting in pavement failure. A thorough inspection by experienced professionals before starting the project is the best way to prevent this problem. You can extend the lifespan of your pavement by installing drains that keep the soil dry.
Poor Design
Anybody can predict the consequences of inferior installation methods. Extreme cost-cutting measures alter your pavement’s design, causing the contractors to lay the wrong base course. The base course helps to dissipate the load; installing the wrong course causes erosion, resulting in cracks and the pavement’s deterioration.
For example, if the initial design requires five inches of base course, and the contractor installs only two inches due to a low budget, the traffic weight won’t dissipate properly, resulting in pavement failure. As a result, you will have to install layers of asphalt to cover up the missing base layers.
Local Void
Unlike other pavement issues, a localized void is very difficult to fix. This is when there is a hole in the ground. Localized voids spread quickly and make the entire pavement look as if it is standing on a sinkhole.
The problem of a localized void can either be traced to inadequate installation procedures or underground sewage pipes. A breach in the pipe causes a leakage that erodes the pavement’s soil, causing a hole to develop.
When starting an asphalt paving project in Las Cruces, NM, you must keep the above variables in mind. Professional contractors like Straight Edge Contractors LLC carry out a proper inspection before beginning an installation project in order to prevent disasters. Our experienced and well-skilled paving contractors deliver nothing but the best results. Connect with us today!
How To Maintain Your Concrete Driveway
The concrete driveway of your house is robust and durable. It can withstand heavy foot traffic, extreme weather conditions, and of course, your vehicle’s weight. However, just because it can take all of that on the chin doesn’t mean it doesn’t require any maintenance over time.
Keeping your concrete driveway in pristine condition ensures that your driveway maintains its beauty and durability. For this, you need to regularly clean your driveway thoroughly to avoid missing the surface damages. A periodic wash every two months is an excellent way to maintain your concrete driveway.
While concrete doesn’t require as much daily care as other materials might, the grime and grunge eventually builds up, and the dirtier it gets, the more challenging it is to clean. This grime will also spin your driveway into unnecessary havoc. On top of that, the concrete replacement process is much more painful than the simple cleaning process.
Here’s how you can ensure your concrete driveway remains beautiful and durable for many, many years to come.
Understand Your Concrete
First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the concrete basics.
The concrete surface is a giant magnet for dirt, rotting leaves, oil, and other gunk to settle in and stick. Washing the surface daily prevents dirt and dust from collecting. Concrete is also somewhat porous; this means that anything we might spill on our driveways soaks into the material, causing a deeper stain.
To preserve your property’s curb appeal, wash your driveway surface frequently. When something does spill, particularly in the case of a leaking motor, tackle it right away, so that the liquids don’t settle in to the concrete and stain it.
Concrete Driveway Cleaning Method
Never give up on concrete! It’s a hardy material that still looks new after many years, despite its age. The following DIY and professional concrete floor-cleaning method will ensure your driveway stays robust and looks its best.
- First, pick a bright, sunny day with little to no wind
- Clear the debris with an outdoor vacuum
- Rinse the driveway using a high-pressure hose spray
- Spray the entire area from the entrance to the exit
- Be thorough and careful with corners
- Add your favorite surface cleaner while the floor is wet and leave it to soak for half an hour
- Scrub the cleaning solution into the concrete thoroughly with a broom
- Wash with the hose and let it dry.
A power-washer makes this cleaning process much more efficient and effective, and saves lots of time. Also, while this DIY method is effective, an expert cleaning and repairing service will ensure that the cleaning is done correctly and thoroughly.
For professional driveway maintenance and repair, contact Straight Edge Contractors. We offer the finest quality driveway paving services with guaranteed results anywhere in El Paso, TX. Get a quote today!
Concrete is the most sufficient chosen material for driveways. The concrete slabs are substantial and durable and need very little maintenance. Combined strength and longevity make concrete a relatively good value for large stretches of the driveway.
Here, affordable paving contractors around you can get you a beautiful driveway made up of concrete at cost-effective rates.
Straight Edge Contractors is one such concrete paving company that started small-scale from a father-son company and has now grown to provide exceptional paving and high-quality end product across Las Cruces, NM. Click here to know more.
The reason that concrete is used in Texas and New Mexico’s driveways is its atmosphere. Since the weather is hot and very high in temperature, asphalt cannot bear direct exposure to sun rays and require frequent maintenance. In contrast, concrete provides optimal and long-lasting results to all the residents.
If properly installed and maintained well, concrete driveways can last up to 50 years without breaking. And that is quite a long time to have any surface on point. However, to keep the concrete roads intact occasional degreasing is the only maintenance necessary.
While concrete may stay intact for a more extended period, you need professional concrete pavers to perform the installation work. Otherwise, inadequate installation techniques and low-quality material can end in premature degradation of the surface, requiring costly maintenance and repair over time.
Following are some of the reasons that Texas and Mexico residents use concrete in their driveway installation projects.
- Concrete is a reasonably affordable choice if you consider longevity. Whether you own the property or not, concrete will ensure a smooth and robust surface.
- Concrete is an incredibly tough and very durable material. A concrete slab will last 50 years or more when well-built and well maintained.
- The driveways made up of concrete are very strong. However, proper installation, including foundation, materials used, and machinery involved, should be considered. That’s how concrete will bear any vehicle’s weight for the years to come.
Not to forget, concrete is not a DIY-friendly material for driveway projects. Backbreaking work is required to pour a concrete driveway, so skilled and professional installation is the safest choice for most people. Experts can assure you of high-quality driveways that depict optimal performance at all times.
If you plan on installing a new concrete driveway or want to repair the current one, click here to contact Straight Edge Contractors anywhere in Las Cruces, NM, today. Our professional team of concrete driveway contractors can inspect the concrete driveway for you and provide you with a practical solution!
Also, the team of professional and skilled workers at Straight Edge Contractors is available round the clock to cater to any pavement query that you may have at any time.
We Are Reliable. Just Ask The Government!
Construction companies worldwide provide similar work, ranging from asphalt and concrete pavement to residential and commercial pavement projects. What differentiates the good ones from the bad is how well they manage their customer services and product quality.
Despite all the professionalism and hardworking paving contractors show, they are often at the receiving end of backlash due to the enormous work pressure, site environment, and weather conditions that are usually not in their favor. Still, these experts tend to produce well-developed and high-quality pavement for their clients.
Straight Edge Contractors is one such construction company that started small scale from a father-son business and has now risen to provide exceptional paving and high-quality end product all across El Paso, TX. Click here to know more.
Our team excels in providing unmatched asphalt and concrete services to all commercial and residential clients alike. Not only that, but we have also collaborated with the government to build a missile base near El Paso, TX, for our military. Indeed, this was a massive turnover for our company and a highlight of our pavement projects.
Although our paving services may sound similar to other paving companies, our dedication, commitment, and premium quality results made us outshine our competitors.
If you wonder how we did it, the following are our few qualities that helped us get the government contract to build the missile base!
1. Exceptional Quality
At Straight Edge Contractors, we are firm believers of quality over anything. This is the main reason why our clients have always been satisfied with the result.
Our team uses the best quality products combined with high-tech machinery and techniques to fulfill all the specified paving requirements and specifications. Also, the skills and over the years of experience of our professionals allow us to provide consistency in quality to our clients.
2. Cost Efficiency
While many paving contractors claim to provide quality work at reasonable rates, several external costs ultimately increase the paving budget.
However, with Straight Edge Contractors, clients never have to worry about going out of their way to get their pavement installed or repaired. Our professionals ensure delivering quality results within the budget provided.
3. High-Quality Raw Material
The raw material used for different construction purposes at Straight Edge Contractors is of the best quality to create the best possible product for the long run.
Our experts cater to all pavement requirements and environmental factors to buy suitable products for paving. With their immense knowledge and familiarity in handling various pavement projects, clients are guaranteed nothing but excellent quality results.
4. Availability
The team of professional and skilled workers at Straight Edge Contractors is available round the clock to cater to any pavement query that you may have at any time.
We believe that good customer service is the way to making a trustworthy relationship with the clients for the long term. Our services include asphalt pavement construction and repair, concrete pavement construction, road striping, sealcoating, crack sealing, and many more.
Trust our team at Straight Edge Contractors with your pavement needs in El Paso, TX, and we assure keeping up with all your project requirements and expectations. Click here to contact us today.
Concrete driveways are often on the receiving end of harsh weather conditions or under constant wear and tear of car tires. This brings all sorts of dirt, dust, and damage, leaving stains on the driveway and giving it a rough and rugged look.
However, there are a few easy steps to follow to remove stubborn stains from your concrete driveway and make it look new.
For tougher stains, let Straight Edge Contractors remove them for you anywhere in Midland, TX, and bring back the concrete’s original look in no time. Click here to connect with us today and get a free estimate by our professional driveway contractors.
Let’s look at the some of the ways to remove stubborn stains from your concrete driveway:
1. The simplest way to remove stains from concrete paving stones or pavement is to pour some hot water from a few feet above and see the stain disappearing on its own.
If this does not work, experts recommend scrubbing the stain with a toothbrush and dishwashing liquid. After cleansing, rinse it off, and there is no stain to be found.
2. Like many kitchen hacks require vinegar, the same can be applied to tough stains on the concrete driveway. For this, you need to put a piece of cloth in vinegar and place it on the stained patch and let it stay for a few hours. The high amount of ammonia present in the vinegar will indeed remove the stain.
3. Often when our cars leak petrol, the stains are left on the driveway, and over time, they become stubborn to remove. The easiest way to remove oil splotches is to dump wet clay or cat litter on them and let it stay for an hour or two. Remove it afterward and rinse the patch with high-speed hose pressure.
4. Often when getting our houses painted, we tend to leave paint foot marks or drips around the driveway, which is difficult to remove if set into the concrete surface. You can use acid to clean this, but the experts do not advise it as some can leave acid stain concrete.
5. However, we also have a solution for this. You will need rubber gloves and eye protection to prevent chemical stains from getting in your eyes. Next, dissolve a cup of TSP into hot water and pour it over the paint stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then start scrubbing with a bristled brush. Next, rinse off everything with high-pressure water.
6. While coke is considered a beverage, it can also remove tough oil stains when mixed with baking soda and poured over the stain. If the stain has set in deep, a little scrubbing can do the job for you.
If the concrete stains on your driveway are not removed from the above mentioned hacks and you need a quick yet durable fix, click here to contact Straight Edge Contractors anywhere in Midland, TX. Our professional team of concrete driveway contractors can inspect the concrete driveway for you and provide with a practical solution!
If you are operating a business or commercial entity, ensuring you have a well-maintained property is a significant factor to consider.
The reason? Your potential clients or visitors will judge your company’s value and reliability based on your company’s exterior, i.e., the parking lot.
So, to keep your parking lot in an optimal condition at all times, you may need to seek help from Straight Edge Contractors. We offer professional asphalt repair and maintenance services for all residing in Las Cruces, NM. Click here to book your parking lot paving inspection and schedule its maintenance today!
In this blog, we list the top five reasons to repair your commercial asphalt parking lot at the earliest opportunity.
1.Creating A First Impression For Customers
One of the most important reasons for repairing your asphalt parking lot is that it is probably one of the first areas customers will see when they walk into your business.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, as they say, and it certainly shouldn’t be a poorly maintained parking lot. Plus, this space will also be their last impression upon leaving, which is a terrible combination for those with poorly maintained parking lots.
So, without further delays, book your asphalt repair session with Straight Edge Contractors today!
2. Extend The Service Life
In terms of profitability, extending the life of your asphalt parking lot is hugely beneficial. Not only you’ll be relieved of not having to pay for immediate asphalt repair, but you can also lower the regular maintenance cost.
On the other hand, without the necessary repairs made over the years, your parking lot asphalt will need to be replaced sooner than the one that is adequately maintained.
3. Better Accessibility
Another of the five reasons to repair your asphalt parking lot is that it offers better accessibility. As cracks and potholes get bigger and bigger over time, it can cause problems for people walking or passing over them.
Therefore, to ensure the parking lot is accessible at all times, run maintenance checks at least once a week to detect any early pavement damage.
4. Health And Safety
In addition to causing potential problems for people walking or driving over asphalt pavement that needs to be repaired, it can also pose a health and safety risk.
In addition to this, being the property owner, you can be held responsible for any injuries sustained in the parking lot. It is therefore essential to comply with appropriate USA health and safety standards to mitigate this risk.
5. Flourish In Business
The last of our five reasons to repair your asphalt parking lot is that a parking lot in good condition is the right way for businesses.
By encouraging people to park near your store or office, you can help generate business from foot traffic alone. So, need more reasons to get on with the asphalt repair project today?
Click here to contact Straight Edge Contractors’ paving specialists in Las Cruces, NM to improve and extend the life of your parking lot. We also offer parking lot striping services at budget-friendly rates to further enhance the overall curb appeal of the space!
How To Make A Concrete Driveway?
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.
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.
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