Archive for: paving

What Kind Of Maintenance Does Asphalt Require?

By Jason Magnuson
Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

Why does asphalt require maintenance? Asphalt is created by mixing gravel, sand, and oil. The oil binder can deteriorate from chemicals, dirt, grime, oil, the sun, and wear and tear from the vehicles. There isn’t a pavement that doesn’t require some sort of maintenance, including asphalt.

What kind of maintenance does asphalt require?

  1. Applying a seal coating every 2-3 years, depending on the asphalt, will prolong the life of the asphalt.
  2. Filling cracks when they appear on the asphalt will preserve the life of the asphalt. Doing annual inspection for cracks on the asphalt will prevent further damage. A crack can be caused by too much weight, water damage, or even found in the base. Filling the cracks can prevent any additional damage to the asphalt.
  3. Patching any places of the asphalt can correct any problem. If there is deterioration on the asphalt, then patching this area will correct the problem and prevent costly repairs to the asphalt.
  4. Adding an overlay to the current asphalt can be required for an added structural support for the asphalt. The overlaying is affordable and can generally be laid on top of the current asphalt to further protect it.
  5. Keeping the asphalt clean and free of any chemicals will keep the asphalt maintained.

2-6These are the basic maintenance procedures that are required for asphalt. The easiest and most effective maintenance task is inspecting the asphalt periodically. This will allow you to notice any cracks, holes, waves or odd patterns with the asphalt. When discovering any problems early, a homeowner has plenty of time to repair and fix these problems without causing major damage to the asphalt.

Asphalt is very durable and sturdy. It can provide a homeowner many years of service, but in order to do so, the asphalt must be maintained. Every homeowner understands the importance of maintaining their property. A home has many annual things that must be done to keep the home up to par and this goes for asphalt too. The more you maintain the asphalt, the longer it will last and continue to look great. This will only add value and curb appeal to your home.

If you have asphalt at your home currently and have yet to do any maintenance on the asphalt, walk around the asphalt to check if there are any cracks or holes. If there are, then call Plehal and we will gladly take care of any repairs to sustain the life of your asphalt.

To learn more on the Twin Cities asphalt leaders, click here!

Categories : Asphalt Maintenance, Crack Filling, Patching, Seal Coating
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What Questions Should I Ask An Asphalt Contractor?

By Jason Magnuson
Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

Choosing an asphalt contractor can be confusing and difficult. Carefully choosing an asphalt contractor is important so you are sure that the contractor is qualified to provide a high quality service. By asking the potential asphalt contractor the following questions, you will be able to ensure that you are getting honest and reliable bids for your asphalt project.

Questions to Ask:

  1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
    A qualified asphalt contractor should be licensed, bonded, and insured. Many states don’t require a license or bonding for asphalt projects that are under $500, but an honest contractor will have the license, bonding, and insurance anyway. The insurance should be on the equipment used and the contractor should have worker’s compensation insurance for the workers that are doing the work. A qualified contractor will have their customers in mind by protecting them with insurance, bonding, and licensing.
  2. How long have you been in business?
    Knowing how long the asphalt contractor has been in business will let you know if they have the experience to perform your asphalt project. Also, if a company has been around for a while, then they plan on staying around, meaning they are likely reliable and trusted.
  3. Do you have any references?
    A qualified and honest asphalt contractor will have references and will gladly give you the contact information for these references.
  4. When given a bid, what is included?
    If the contractor gives you a bid, you need to make sure that the bid covers the whole project. There shouldn’t be any hidden fees later on, unless something big occurs, which the contractor will discuss with you. Please not that this is very rare, but sometimes may occur depending on the area you are looking to install asphalt.
  5. Is there a warranty?
    An honest contractor will provide a warranty on the work performed. If there is no warranty, your first action should be to ask why. A qualified contractor will be so sure of their performance in asphalt installation and repairs that they will gladly offer a warranty.
  6. How long will the project take?
    The contractor will let you know the duration of the project. The weather may influence a change in the date, but if everything is going smoothly, then knowing how long the project is going to take will ensure your trust in your contractor.
  7. How much is the cost?
    A qualified contractor can’t give an exact price unless they are looking at the area where you want the asphalt to be applied. If a contractor gives you a price for a project that they haven’t seen, then this isn’t an honest contractor. There is no set price for asphalt projects, it completely will depend on your area.

In the search of a qualified asphalt contractor, there are questions that should be asked. Give Plehal Blacktopping a call today and you will find an answer to each and every question! For more information on the Twin Cities paving experts, click here!

Categories : Bonded Contractor, Licensed Contractor, Workers Compensation Insurance
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