How Sealcoating Extends The Life Of Your Pavement
Asphalt pavement looks beautiful and adds curb appeal to any property. However, repairing damaged asphalt is both costly and time-consuming. That is why asphalt maintenance is the best way to save money on repairs and also to prolong the life of your pavement.
When it comes to maintaining asphalt parking lots and driveways, sealcoating is one of the most efficient and cost-effective techniques out there. Regular sealcoating not only keeps your pavement in excellent condition but also extends its service life.
At Straight Edge Contractors, we specialize in asphalt paving and maintenance for all kinds of properties in Las Cruces, NM. Click here to learn more about our services.
In today’s blog, we will list down the major ways in which sealcoating extends the life of your asphalt pavement.
Weatherproof Your Pavement
To start off, new asphalt pavement is at the greatest risk from weather elements and water damage. Rain, snow, and ice, etc. not only damage the surface of asphalt driveways and parking lots, but water seeping into cracks and potholes erodes the base beneath the pavement.
Sealcoating covers cracks and opening on the surface and protects the asphalt from water damage.
Sun Protection
Asphalt surfaces are also at risk from sharp UV rays. Sunlight not only damages your pavement but also causes fading and discoloration. Sun affected driveways also age before time due to oxidation. Once again, sealcoating acts as a protective barrier against harmful UV rays to keep the surface looking fresh and new.
Chemical Resistance
Commercial asphalt pavement especially is at risk from gas, oil, and contaminants. Professional grade sealants offer resistance against gasoline and other contaminants. Moreover, sealcoating also covers and seals small cracks to prevent chemicals from seeping into the surface.
Restore Appearance
The asphalt surface is the first thing people lay their eyes on when they drive into your property. That is why you need to maintain the shiny appearance of your pavement. However, weather damage and other wear and tear can deteriorate asphalt surfaces over time.
Depending on the condition of your pavement, you should consider sealcoating every 2 to 3 years. This will restore the smooth and clean-looking appearance of your pavement and protect the surface for a couple of years. Sealcoating is also advised before painting line markings on your parking lot to create a beautiful appearance on your property.
Flexibility
Asphalt is usually paved at hot temperatures. This makes asphalt more pliant and flexible. As a result, the pavement remains sturdy against traffic and wear and tear as asphalt flexes under pressure.
Easy Maintenance
Finally, sealcoating is not only affordable, but it also makes asphalt maintenance easier. For one thing, asphalt surfaces become smoother after sealcoating, which makes them easier to clean. Moreover, with timely sealcoating, you don’t have to worry about water or chemicals penetrating the surface and damaging the underlying structure.
Ultimately, sealcoating helps to put away major repairs and asphalt replacement for a long time, saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.
If your asphalt surface requires sealcoating in Las Cruces, NM, Click here to talk to our experts at Straight Edge Contractors.
In a well-manicured lawn or an exquisitely designed landscape, there are often features that we as homeowners appreciate and want to integrate it into our gardens but cannot name them to save our lives. Concrete curbing is one such.
You might have seen some elegant concrete borders outlining flower beds or gravel features in the garden. They are not something extensive, but they add a certain pizzazz to your landscape’s overall look.
Straight Edge Contractors offers matchless concrete paving solutions to commercial and residential clients in El Paso, TX. Click here to get a free estimate.
Apart from outlining various features around your garden, there are several other reasons why concrete curbing is essential for improving your property. Continue reading to find out.
Curb appeal
Concrete curbing highlights and enhances the beauty of certain features of your landscape. Also, the various customization options of color and texture available in concrete curbing, since concrete is such a versatile material, further enhance the landscape’s aesthetic appeal. Improved aesthetics add to the curb appeal of the place, which elevates the property’s value.
Weed control
Concrete curbing leads to a reduction in weed encroachment by keeping them out of your garden. If the weeds get overly aggressive and tall enough to climb over this mini concrete wall, they can easily be spotted and cut. Concrete curbing form surfaces against which weeds can easily be eliminated.
Root barrier
Letting your garden run out of control not just affects its curb appeal, but the roots start to spread over the walkway; they can damage the path and cause people to trip.
Concrete curing stops this from happening, so you can freely plant your flowers and plant in your garden instead of in pots. Concrete curbing offers plants the freedom to spread their roots without letting them get out of control and pill over walkways.
Aside from improving the property, concrete curbing also saves you effort. If you are too tired or busy to mow your entire lawn at once, you do not have to worry Since the lawn is divided into different sections by concrete curbing, you can trim one area at a time, without it looking unsightly.
If there is a section of your landscape that you wanted to leave unchanged, you can use concrete curbing to form landscape edging borders to preserve your trees or garden hills.
Regardless of whichever reason you found appealing enough to consider adding concrete curbing to your garden, you cannot deny the fact that how something so simple can be so useful.
All the benefits of concrete curbing and the aesthetic value it adds to your landscape are what make this so essential. However, not everyone can provide the same quality and neatness in their concrete curbing, so choose the right contractor.
Straight Edge Contractors offers high-quality concrete paving solutions in El Paso, TX. Click here to get a free estimate for expert concrete curbing.
A paving project is a big deal simply because of the massive investment that goes into it. However, achieving that return on your investment is only possible if everything is done right. This also includes choosing the right material.
Do you want to get a road paved? Are you confused about which paving material to use? Is this the first time you are investing in a paving project? Straight Edge Contractors offers professional paving and maintenance services in Midland, TX. Click here to get a free estimate.
Many people think that asphalt is generally a better choice than concrete when making a road. You can make your assessments about whether asphalt is the right choice for your road by going through the five reasons explained below.
Cost
Asphalt paving is much more economical than concrete. Concrete installation takes more time and effort. On the other hand, asphalt is more malleable, so asphalt roads take less time to be paved.
Also, most of the asphalt material used in constructing a road can be reused when it’s time for repaving. This help cut down the raw material cost for future repaving projects.
Cold
Extreme cold is terrible for pavement assets—the frost and snow cause lasting damage to the roads, resulting in cracks. Concrete is more badly affected by cold than asphalt. Asphalt tends to fare better in the cold.
While snow doesn’t have much effect on the concrete, lower temperatures cause contraction and expansions in the pavement. Thus, asphalt roads are more common in colder regions.
Also, though damaging for pavement, salt is a common deicer used to melt the snow and ice that forms a layer on roads in winter. Salt damages concrete more than it harms asphalt.
Maintenance
Asphalt roads, unlike concrete, do not need to be paved from the ground up. Asphalt pavement is made up of three layers – sub-base, base, and surface layer. The two lower layers are mostly considered permanent. They are less likely to get damaged, which is why mostly only the top layer is resurfaced, which costs less than repaving the whole road.
While asphalt requires more maintenance, the work done on it, like seal coating, can extend its pavement life.
Appearance
A road undergoes rough use. Day in and day out, it has to endure rust, gas drips, and engine oil leaks. The charcoal black or gray of asphalt is not easily stained.
Its matte dark surface covers up almost all types of stains. On the other hand, the muted gray of the concrete has high susceptibility to stains, which takes a toll on its appearance, requiring more aggressive cleaning and degreasing.
Safety
Asphalt roads offer greater safety to drivers than concrete roads. Asphalt provides better traction between the surface and the car tires. Thus, it has better skid resistance in winters when the ground is covered by snow and frost.
Therefore, the chances of drivers getting into an accident are generally lesser on asphalt road as compared to concrete roads. On concrete roads, traction has to be created by making a pattern when the concrete is still workable. At the same time, asphalt generally allows tires a better grip and drive.
While both paving materials have their benefits, asphalt is generally more preferable for paving around the world in both residential and commercial projects due to its durability, cost-effectiveness, and overall functionality.
If you want to get an asphalt surface paved or need a reliable firm to carry out regular maintenance work in Midland, TX, and other cities in Texas and Arizona, contact Straight Edge Contractors or click here to get a free estimate.
When it comes to construction materials, nothing beats the strength and durability of concrete. Having said that, concrete is also susceptible to damage from regular wear and tear, as well as weather elements.
Moreover, all concrete driveways require repairs sooner or later. Ignoring signs of damage can prove detrimental in the long run.
At Straight Edge Contractors, we regularly perform paving and repairs for residential and commercial properties in El Paso, Texas. Click here to get a free quote. In this blog post, we will list down four telling signs you should repair your concrete driveway.
1. Cracks
When it comes to concrete driveways, cracks are usually the first signs of damage. Cracking occurs due to the expansion and contraction of the soil beneath the concrete layers.
In the early stages, cracks are small and thin. This can be easy to overlook, especially if the driveway also has dirt, debris, and stains. But you have to be vigilant. If left untreated, cracks can expand over time and lead to further deterioration of the overall structure. That is why you should call professionals to fix cracks as soon as you spot them.
2. Settling
Secondly, concrete driveways are also subject to uneven surfaces due to settling. Concrete slabs can settle due to local weather conditions, which can cause a bumpy or jagged surface. If the uneven surface is left as it is, you will soon see cracking and damage on the surface.
If you notice an uneven surface after paving, immediately call your contractor to perform concrete lifting. If timely action is not taken, you will have to get the entire driveway replaced before the full-service life of the pavement.
3. Water Pooling On The Surface
An adequately paved concrete driveway will not have any drainage issues. Water falling on the surface will get absorbed with no damage to the surface. However, if you notice water pooling on your driveway, it’s another reason to get it repaired.
Maybe the surface requires sloping and grading, or there may be a problem with the underlying drainage. In any case, timely repairs are necessary to prevent water damage on your concrete driveway.
4. Aging
Finally, concrete driveways require frequent repairs as they age. If your driveway is 10 to 15 years old, you will start to notice cracks, potholes, unevenness, and pooling water. And these become a common occurrence as the structure begins to weaken over time.
Sometimes, it makes more sense to replace the driveway entirely instead of wasting money on frequent repair work. Call your contractor to evaluate the condition of your concrete pavement and determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced.
That’s about it! If you want to enjoy the full-service life of your concrete driveway, watch out for these signs. Homeowners in El Paso, Texas, can always reach out to Straight Edge Contractors for repaving their concrete parking lots. Click here to get a free quote.
Parking Lot Striping 101
Parking lot striping or line striping in parking lots is a highly important part of parking lot maintenance and paving. If you are clueless about what we mean by parking lot striping, let us simplify it. Have you seen the lines and signs painted on the ground in parking lots? That is what we are talking about.
You must be wondering why we are labeling painting a few lines here and there as an important service. That is because line striping adds to the surface’s aesthetic appeal and helps comply with safety and legal requirements.
Straight Edge Contractors offers a range of expert asphalt and concrete paving solutions to clients in Las Cruces, NM and other cities in Texas. If you need to acquire line striping services for your parking lot, click here to get a free estimate.
Coming back to the topic at hand. If you want to know more about parking lot striping, then have a look at the list below.
Things to know about parking lot striping:
- Line striping defines the space each car should be parked within to avoid car doors from touching; accidents occurring due to no pedestrian crossings and marking for lanes; frustration over not finding the exit; space from getting wasted due to randomized parking; and lawsuits.
- Always double-check the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for parking lots before line striping to ensure full compliance. For example, based on the parking lot’s size, there should be a specific number of accessible stalls present. However, you will be inviting potential lawsuits against you even if your parking lot contains the required number of accessibility spots, but you have failed to highlight them, or your line striping has worn out to the point that drivers can’t distinguish between regular parking spaces and accessibility spots.
- If you are line striping over fresh asphalt or a seal coat, you need to use a water-borne paint. While on a concrete surface, you need to use chlorinated rubber paint. Most of the time, the best type of paint for restriping is set-fast acrylic water-borne, which needs to be applied at a temperature higher than 45° F.
- For a high-quality marking, apply the paint using an airless striping machine at a minimum wet film thickness of 13 mils.
- Some of the paint will get soaked into a newly-paved surface, so apply two thin coats instead of a thick one because using a generous amount of acrylic latex paint can damage the surface once the paint film shrinks.
- The drying time for the striping is typically 30 minutes, but the surface shouldn’t be open for use for at least an hour, or the paint will be damaged by parking lot traffic.
- Re-striping should be done in an active parking lot every two years, or when the visibility of the paint is reduced by around 75%. Not getting a fresh coat of paint on your striping will result in accidents, violation of ADA guidelines, wrongful parking, and more.
Do you want a reliable paving company that protects your investment by offering matchless work? Opt for Straight Edge Contractors. They provide all-inclusive asphalt and concrete paving services to commercial and residential clients in Las Cruces, NM. Just click here to get a free estimate.
How To Plan For An Asphalt Paving Project
An asphalt project is a big investment. A lot of planning, budgeting, and effort goes into creating a surface, whether it is to extend the road by a few miles, repaving a driveway, or paving a parking lot. One small error and the entire investment can go down the drain.
Are you looking into paving solutions in El Paso, TX? Do you need an idea about all that goes into an asphalt project? Consider Straight Edge Contractors. Just click here to get a free estimate.
Inspecting The Damage
Do a thorough evaluation of your existing asphalt surface. Find the flaws present in the asset, such as cracks, potholes, drainage issues, and faded lines. An inspection is necessary to determine what kind of damage was done to the surface, so you know what to look out for with your new surface.
You should also regularly inspect your asphalt surface for maintenance because one hairline crack today can turn into an alligator crack or a pothole tomorrow.
Considering Repair Options
Is your asphalt surface damaged beyond repair? What did the inspection reveal? How much damage was done to the surface? Do you have to repave the entire surface, or can you get away with repairs?
The repair depends on the extent of damage done to the asphalt. It can include crack filling, pothole repair, line striping, milling, overlay, and repaving a badly damaged patch instead of the whole surface. Repair, followed by seal coating, increases your pavement’s life by a few years.
However, if the asphalt surface is badly damaged down to its foundation, there is no other option than other getting repaving done.
Choosing Asphalt Types
Different types of asphalt can be used to create the surface. You can choose the material depending on your needs. Do your own research and talk to a few contractors and parking lot owners to find out which is the best and most widely used material.
Out of the multiple options out there, including the customized ones, here are the three most popular ones.
Porous Asphalt – There are tiny holes present in the asphalt, which allow you to manage stormwater in an environmentally friendly way. The rainwater travels through the asphalt surface and into the ground. The water then undergoes natural methods of water purification.
Hot Mix Asphalt – Those asphalt mixtures that are heated and poured when the material reaches 300°F to 350°F. Hot mix asphalt is the most common form of asphalt that is used in paving around the world.
Cold Mix Asphalt – Using cold mix asphalt is a good idea to fill potholes in winter or cold regions because this asphalt mixture stays soft in low temperatures. It also repels water so it would drive out the water from the pothole and stick to the surface. Paving this material is more straightforward than the hot mix.
Budgeting The Project
Find out how much the asphalt mixture of your choice costs, how much you would need, and how soon you want to open the space for use. Evaluate all pros and cons and create a budget that best suits all your needs.
Choosing A Contractor
The best way to choose the right contractor is to find out about their reputation in the market.
Do they have a good work ethic? Do they finish work on time? Do they provide cost-friendly solutions? Does their job last? Find out all you can and cross-reference it against the quotes you have gotten to find the perfect contractor for the project—someone who provides excellent services and doesn’t overcharge.
Straight Edge Contractors provide premium paving solutions in El Paso, TX. Click here to get a free estimate.
Looking to build a new parking lot in Las Cruces, NM? If yes, you will have to choose between concrete or asphalt as your construction material.
At Straight Edge Co., we can help you build safe and beautiful parking lots from the material of your choice. Click here to get a free quote.
Choosing between cement concrete and hot-mix asphalt involves several factors. Traditionally, cement has been the preferred choice for parking lot construction for parking lots across the US.
Over the years, however, commercial property owners have switched to asphalt pavement. However, both materials are still used widely and offer their own unique benefits. Today, we will provide you with an overview of asphalt and concrete, highlighting each’s key features.
Asphalt
Comprising aggregate and binders, asphalt is preferred by many parking lot contractors because of its wide-ranging benefits. One can particularly lay an asphalt pavement over any surface, be it natural soil or a gravel base layer. The material offers enough flexibility to withstand shifts in the ground, provided it is paved correctly.
You can also go for asphalt parking lots if you have a limited budget, as asphalt has a lower construction cost. The initial cost of installing new asphalt may not be significantly cheap, but you will get monetary benefits over the years.
For one thing, asphalt parking lots are easy to maintain, and you can even perform most repairs without closing your business. More importantly, an asphalt parking lot can easily last you 15 to 20 years, making it a worthwhile investment.
Not to mention, asphalt parking lots offer safety benefits as well. Asphalt lowers traffic noise and provides a smoother drive. Plus, you can get beautiful line markings painted on a blacktop parking lot. All this helps you adhere to local safety codes and avoid costly litigation due to accidents and injuries on your parking lot.
Let’s now move over to the benefits of using concrete to build parking lots in Las Cruces, NM.
Concrete
Unlike asphalt pavement, concrete parking lots are built on natural soils. They also remain rigid, even when subject to heavy traffic, and this is one of the major reasons why concrete has currency in the pavement industry.
One shouldn’t also get the impression that somehow concrete is the more expensive of the two options. Even if you have to pay more upfront, the long-term cost of a concrete pavement is the same, if not lower, than asphalt.
And as already mentioned, concrete is ideal if you expect heavy loads on your parking lot, especially with loading and docking areas.
This was an overview of the benefits of both concrete and asphalt parking lots. Both offer durability and beauty to your commercial space, provided you perform the necessary maintenance and repairs. Ultimately, your construction material choice will depend on your time, budgetary concerns, and personal preferences.
If you still want to learn more, you can click here to reach out to Straight Edge Co. for customized paving solutions.
Why Crack Sealing Is The Best Bang For Your Buck
Asphalt may well be one of the most long-lasting paving materials on the planet, making it popular for constructing roads, driveways, and parking lots.
Yet despite its sturdiness, asphalt is by no means indestructible. Water damage, UV exposure, and heavy-duty traffic among other things, damage asphalt in the long-run.
You might have observed cracks, potholes and depressions starting to appear on the surface, in which case, you need to survey the extent of the damage.
If your asphalt surface is beyond repair, you need to get it repaved. Straight Edge Contractors offers their services to clients in Midland, TX, among other places. So if you want to get a free estimate, click here.
However, if your asphalt surface isn’t as severely damaged, then a simple repair job should be sufficient to whip it back into shape.
Proper maintenance and repair can increase the life of your asphalt surface.
So if your surface is flaunting a few cracks, then you need to get crack sealing done before the issue escalates.
Crack sealing requires cracks in the asphalt to be filled with an adhesive that is study enough to bear traffic without giving way but flexible enough to expand and contract with the asphalt surface due to temperature changes.
Do not ignore the cracks. They will just end up growing and multiplying, leading to accidents, tire damage, and, eventually, early repaving.
There are several reasons why crack sealing is the best thing to spend your money on, four of which are listed below.
1. It’s cheap
Crack sealing is much cheaper than repaving since it requires less work and man-hours
2. It delays repaving by a few years
Crack sealing keeps the surface smooth, allowing better surface contact tires.
Also, since the cracks are filled, water or other materials can’t seep in to cause greater damage.
All this delays the need for repaving for a few years.
3. It’s a quick fix
Repaving requires removing the old decrepit material, preparing the ground, preparing the material, pouring and rolling the asphalt into a flat surface, and leaving it to cool. The whole process can take between 2 to 3 days or at most a week.
Crack sealing is a much shorter process, which means your surface will be ready for use within a few hours.
4. It’s budget-friendly
Managing an asphalt surface with a tight budget is not an easy feat. And since repaving is expensive, you need to get your asphalt surface to remain functional and in good condition for a long time. This is where crack sealing comes in.
Crack sealing prevents hefty costs from getting incurred. Thereby allowing you to stay within your budget.
Also, once you’re done with crack sealing, maybe you should consider sealant coating your asphalt surface as your next project.
Straight Edge Contractors provides a reliable crack sealing service to clients in Midland, TX. So if you have a damaged parking lot, then click here for a free estimate.
Home Maintenance Checklist For The Fall
Fall is just around the corner. But is your home ready for the season?
At Straight Edge Co., we specialize in property management and maintenance solutions in El Paso, Texas. Click here to learn more about our services.
And today, we talk about how you prepare your house for the autumn. Continue reading to learn about the essential home maintenance checklist for the fall.
- Clean The Gutters
To start off, the fall season is a great time to clean and possibly replace your gutters. Your home’s drainage works uninterruptedly throughout the year, and it is easy to forget that the gutters also require some care. If they’re clogged, the gutters can cause water damage inside the home and even on the exteriors, especially with the fall debris.
- Update Weatherstripping
Secondly, you should also check for a draft in the doors and windows of the house. Heat loss from the drafts is a major reason for hefty heating costs, and simple weatherstripping will save you lots of money by preventing heat loss.
- Clean Your Filters
Speaking of hefty heating bills, clogged filters are also a major reason you find it hard to keep home temperature stable. We suggest that you clean your filters every month instead of waiting for the fall or winter. You can clean disposable filters once before replacing them. Foam filters can be vacuumed but not replaced.
- Turn Off Outdoor Faucets
Moving on, many homeowners forget to disconnect their garden hoses from outside spigots. This can result in water freezing when the temperature drops, leading to bursting pipes. You can easily avert this disaster from draining and turning off the outdoor faucets as the fall arrives.
- Protect Outdoor Furniture
Having an outdoor space costs time and money, which is why you should store your outdoor furniture indoors during the fall and winter. It’s ideal that you place the outdoor furniture in a garage or shed. But if that doesn’t work out, you can also always consider investing in waterproof covers.
- Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn during the fall ensures a healthy garden in spring. It protects the roots from winter damage and will help the lawn green faster when spring arrives. As they say, prevention is better than cure. So fertilize your lawn to keep it green and healthy before the weather becomes rough in El Paso, Texas.
- Fix Cracks In Your Driveway
Finally, you should also look out for cracks on your driveway before winters arrive. Small cracks may not seem dangerous, but they allow water to seep inside and extend the damage due to the freeze-thaw cycle.
The last thing you want is a pothole on your driveway. That is why you should get the cracks filled. And if it has been a long time since your sealcoated the surface, fall is a good time to seal the driveway as well to protect it from winter damage.
At Straight Edge Co, we offer a complete range of property management services, including asphalt maintenance. Click here to talk to our experts.
Asphalt Maintenance On A Budget
Asphalt is one of the most durable materials you can go with when it comes to paving driveways and parking lots. An asphalt paving can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, provided you maintain it well.
At Straight Edge Co, we have done a lot of asphalt paving, maintenance, and repair work in El Paso, Texas. Click here to learn more about our services.
Today, we will show you how you can take care of asphalt on your commercial or residential property with a limited maintenance budget. Your maintenance plan will depend on whether you are considering minor repairs or a complete replacement.
In any case, keep these tips in mind for your next paving project.
Use Time To Your Advantage
Properly installed asphalt structures can easily last 15 years. While you may have to bear a high upfront cost, the durability factor allows you to squeeze in other projects in your budget. This is especially true for commercial properties like parking lots. In such cases, you can even spread the repairs over a 1-2 year period.
Communicate With All Parties
When budgeting for asphalt maintenance, you should also factor in considerations that may affect people who use the property (tenants, customers, etc.). Be upfront about your vision for the project as well as the timelines with all stakeholders.
Nip It In The Bud
It is estimated that you can save up to five dollars on repaving costs for every dollar spent on timely repairs. That is why you should fix minor signs of damage like cracks early on to extend the life of asphalt and avoid costly repairs. Regular maintenance will also help you stay ahead of seasonal asphalt damage, especially during winters.
Make a Maintenance Plan
This can’t be stressed enough. Property owners should have a written plan for maintaining their asphalt paving. This allows you to be proactive with maintenance instead of spending money only when you see signs of damage.
Set Aside Money for Major Repairs
If you maintain your asphalt paving, it will stay functional and beautiful for years on end. Unless, of course, there is an underlying issue with the structure, such as water damage or contractor negligence.
That is why you should budget for major repairs of the most traveled areas on your parking lot or driveway and set aside money for 10 years. This way, you will have the funds available if restoration is required.
Look for a Reliable Contractor
Finally, remember that while asphalt can be repaired relatively fast, it will make your driveway or parking lot inaccessible for a while. That is why you shouldn’t waste your time by choosing a contractor hastily.
Take your time and find someone who is licensed, bonded, and insured at the very least. Experience is also necessary. You need to work with someone who has the equipment and personnel to maintain your new asphalt pavement.
Of course, in El Paso, Texas, property owners can always reach out to Straight Edge Co for all their asphalt projects. Click here to learn more about how we can help you keep your paving in pristine condition.


