Do you view your driveway as part of the road? Many people don't--and, when you think about it, that makes sense. Driveways are more a part of the home than of the road. Our driveways certainly don't have stoplights or traffic signs or yellow and white lines to tell us where to drive, and we can usually cross them without a crosswalk, and we don't have to share them with hundreds of other drivers at one time. Driveways are more personal in simple, everyday sort of ways. However, driveways are somewhat like the little siblings of the road: though smaller and less used, driveways still need all the attention that we give to their sibling the road--and seal coating is just the answer.

Driveway Care

Taking care of your driveway is a good idea for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, safety must always be maintained--and seal coating can help with that, by providing a more reliable surface in bad weather as well as protecting against further damage. Secondly, there are a lot of aesthetic considerations that go along with having a driveway, and minimizing those unsightly cracks and chips with a seal coat is one great way to keep up your home's overall appearance. Finally, seal coating is a friend to your wallet, too: a regular seal coat can help save you the high costs of repaving or replacing your driveway by providing a safe, reliable surface.

Questions on Seal Coating

So, seal coating a driveway is a good idea--but what are the details? Here's a quick look at some frequently-asked seal coat questions.

Timing. Firstly, how can you know when it's time for a seal coat vs. a new asphalt driveway? Well, the trick is to look closely at the pavement itself. There are certain types of damage that usually require a new driveway; these are characterized by a rutted, rough-looking surface and multiple areas of severe damage. Meeting driveway needs. Depending on the needs of your unique driveway, a different amount or type of seal coating may be recommended. It all comes down to the driveway itself; what kind of damage is there, and how can it be fixed instead of just covered up? Protection. Seal coating works well to fix immediate problems, but it also acts proactively. Applying a seal coat now can save you a lot of hassle, time, and money in the future, and enhance your driveway's cosmetic appearance right now. Seal coating can be tailored to meet specific needs, fix particular problems, and protect against specific hazards--all you need to do is decide what's best for your driveway.

Do you own a business?

If you do you probably try your best to keep the appearance of the storefront or office up. You most likely have a staff or a cleaning service dedicated to keeping things clean.

You also decorate, paint and buy new wall hangings, light fixtures, and furniture so that your customers and clients enjoy being at your business.

This is very smart of you! Humans are very visual creatures and if they see that a store is dirty and doesn’t keep up on appearances they may opt to shop or do business somewhere else even if the alternative is more expensive. Most companies are aware of this and try their hardest to make their business a visually attracted and appreciated one! Good for them! But what some companies may overlook is the importance of not only keeping the inside of your business looking nice but also the outside (we are talking about the parking lot).

When a customer drives by the first thing they see aside from the building your business is in is the parking lot. If your parking lot is dirty, has potholes cracks and just isn’t visually appealing they may assume that the inside will be the same so they decide to drive a few more miles to find the alternative business.

Here in Idaho the snow shows up early, melts late, and seems to leave as much winter asphalt damage as possible. It is a perpetual process of the asphalt soaking up water, freezing up throughout the winter, resulting in deep cracks that can destroy parking lots, roads, and driveways. When the cracks are noticeable, that’s when the process has been repeated several times, resulting in the need for more intensive asphalt repair.

Winterizing Asphalt

To keep your driveway safe from the unexpected snowfall, it is imperative to focus on asphalt maintenance early this season. Paving your driveway before the first snowfall might be your last chance to seal out winter and spring runoff, which keeps your asphalt smooth and reliable. Shoveling your driveway as frequently as possible and avoiding that thin layer that gets pressed down by your car as you head to warmer more exciting pastures, will decrease the amount of damage you’ll have to face. While the cracks are not dangerous, they will certainly build up over the years.

Asphalt Repair

If you miss your moment of preparation or would like to beef up your asphalt before the winter is at its height, there are many asphalt repair options. Rubberized asphalt filler can be used to mend any cracks and holes that are less than a half inch in size. For holes larger than this, you will have to fill them first with gravel. In addition to this, you should apply a sealant to the flawed areas of your asphalt at least every three years.

PSI will always help

Any questions on how best to go about preparing or repairing your asphalt to keep safe against winter asphalt damage should be directed to the professionals at PSI. The winter’s effect on asphalts hasn’t changed since our opening in 2001, and our capabilities to assure asphalt safety have only increased.

If you have any questions about Pavement Deterioration and Maintenance or if you are looking for an asphalt contractor in the Boise, Idaho area, please contact us!

At the heart of almost everything we do, there is a road. Roads unite the world, connecting people to their homes, their favorite stores, their travel destinations, and, most importantly, to each other. Although most of us will use a variety of roads every day, we rarely stop to give much thought to those stretches of painted asphalt that can lead us almost anywhere we want to go. Today, we'll take a close look at the construction of asphalt pavements--not only for a better appreciation of the roads we rely on so much, but for an interesting view on the real work that goes into creating those roads.

Porous Asphalt Pavements

Considering how much we do on the porous asphalt pavements that make up our road systems, the construction process is fairly simple. The required material is manufactured in almost every asphalt plants across the country, and the brain of the operation needs only to be a qualified asphalt pavement contractor--no specific certification is necessary. However, while the construction is straightforward, precision is crucial: the success of this job will impact the lives of many.

The Basics

Constructing porous asphalt pavement is a big job. Here's a quick look at the basics of the process.

Step One: Excavation. The success of a paving job rests on the success of the excavation. The area where the pavement will reside must first be marked off, and it is then excavated--usually using equipment like backhoes. Step Two: Filter Fabric. Filter fabric is used to protect the newly excavated bed from sediment until the permanent asphalt is placed. This filter fabric is carefully overlapped and extends slightly out of the bed for complete protection. Step Three: Aggregate. Aggregate is used for the stone recharge bed. Its placement must be precise so as not to damage the filter fabric--it is layered at the edge of the bed with track equipment and carefully compressed. Step Four: Asphalt. The porous asphalt is placed in layers of varying thickness. Depending on the location in question, state or national guidelines must be followed. The layer is allowed to cool and is then compacted with a few passes of a ten-ton static roller. Within 24 hours, traffic will be able to traverse the newly-paved road.

Whether you own a home or a business, take a moment to think about your front pavement. Is it giving customers the impression that you hope to create for your business? Do friends and family feel comfortable pulling up to your home? If you aren’t sure that you are giving the impression that you want, then maybe it’s time to consider some of the most popular Idaho asphalt services.

What Is Your Surface Saying?

Some of the common problems facing parking lots and driveways are cracks, potholes, and areas that aren’t level. Asphalt maintenance can be a great solution to these problems, especially when done before problems start. Asphalt cement is mixed with stones and sand of varying sizes, creating a mixture that is being poured directly onto a prepared sub-grade or base. Once poured, the mixture cools quickly and is soon ready for traffic. Unfortunately, it begins to deteriorate as soon as it is poured.

Good Reasons to Upgrade Asphalt Surfaces in Idaho

Cold winters and melting ice can wreak havoc on driveways, pathways, and parking lots. Idaho asphalt services provide the attention your surface needs to stand up to the cold months.

An asphalt geo-textile fabric is attractive, strong and long-lasting.

This asphalt textile stands up well to both freezing and thawing.

Elastomeric compounds can be used to fill cracks.

This surface is designed to give with the temperature fluctuations that are common in Idaho.

This affordable option is popular around the state, so the next time you stumble over a crack in your cement, consider the benefits of upgrading to an asphalt geo-textile fabric under or overlay.