As drivers, as passengers, and simply as humans, we have an intricate relationship with roads. We drive on them, yes. But we also ride bikes on them, walk next to them, use them to navigate, and define our towns, cities, and even states by the roads that run through. It's true that we have a strange and complex relationship with the road, and what happens to the road will affect us, too. That's why, when we hear about chip sealing, we naturally have countless questions.

The Chip Sealing Process

The chip sealing process begins when asphalt is mixed with about 30% water. The mixture is then applied to the road using a specialized spray truck, and immediately afterward, a layer of crushed gravel is placed. Next, a rubber-tired roller will pass over the road, pressing the gravel into the asphalt mixture. The roller may make several passes to ensure that as much gravel as possible is pressed down. Finally, the surface will require about two days to cure properly. During this time, traffic is usually allowed to continue, although at reduced speeds.

Benefits of Chip Sealing

So, why do we chip seal the roads? It's simple. What happens to the road will directly affect us--so we must ensure that our roads are taken care of and well-maintained.

Here's a quick look at the benefits of chip sealing.

Costs. Road maintenance can be pricey. It can often seem like we must sacrifice large amounts of money to keep our roads safe--but chip seal solves this problem. Chip seal offers a cost-effective, safe layer of protection over the road that will minimize the need for costly maintenance in the future. Cure. Roads suffer from age just like living things. They crack and become uneven, and, gradually, they become unsafe. Chip sealing can offer a solution to these age-based problems, sealing the cracks and making the surface of the road smooth and safe. Safety. Chip sealing doesn't just keep the roads safe; it actually makes them safer. By providing an anti-glare, anti-skid surface for wet weather and a highly reflective surface for night driving, chip sealing makes the road a little friendlier for all of us.

Why Does Asphalt Crack?

Sometimes you can't be sure why your asphalt is cracking, and many of the reasons that asphalt cracks are outside of human control. Asphalt can crack in a few different ways like edge cracking, block cracking, and alligator cracking. Some of the reasons that asphalt cracks include:

Aging asphalt: Asphalt oxidizes as it ages, leaving it less flexible and more vulnerable to cracking. New asphalt has all of the oils necessary to keep it supple and flexible, but old asphalt is much more prone to cracking.

Weakened base: If your subgrade is weak, your asphalt may show signs of alligator cracking, especially if subjected to too much weight.

Standing water or snow: If your asphalt doesn't have proper drainage, you could end up with water, snow, dirt, and mud buildup, causing damage on your roadway or parking lot. Water can even get under the surface of your asphalt in these cases and cause even worse damage.

Underlying settlement: Sometimes there is an unavoidable settlement of your underlying earth, causing your asphalt to wear unevenly.

Temperature: UV rays can cause asphalt to become brittle and more prone to cracking, while extreme cold can cause asphalt to shrink. Unavoidable temperature changes often result in cracking and wear on your asphalt.

If you're concerned about the state of your asphalt, contact us immediately.

For businesses with an asphalt driveway or parking lot, maintenance is an important reality. Without maintaining your company's asphalt, you'll end up with a cracked, faded, and a potentially hazardous surface that will reflect badly on your storefront or office building. One of the key tasks of asphalt maintenance is seal coating, a process that increases your asphalt's UV and substance resistance.

Why Sealcoat?

When it comes to keeping your asphalt in good condition, seal coating isn't optional. Seal coating can extend the life of your asphalt as much as 300% while ensuring that you have a usable, professional-looking surface.

Seal coating provides the following benefits:

UV resistance: Asphalt by itself has a low resistance to the radiation of the sun, which can cause the glue in your asphalt to break down. You've certainly seen asphalt that is in the process of breaking down from sun damage: it fades from that dark black color to a dull gray, cracks, and eventually falls apart.

Substance protection: Whether it's chemicals, gasoline, oil, or salt, there's a good chance your asphalt will come into contact with substances that could damage it significantly. Seal coating protects your asphalt from spills that would otherwise break down the unsealed pavement.

Easier to maintain: When your asphalt is seal coated, it has that clean, uniform surface that's much simpler to sweep and clean.

Less cracking: Sealcoating returns your asphalt to a dark black color, which heats better during the summer. This may seem insignificant when you first think about it, but hot asphalt is more flexible, leading to fewer cracks during the hot summer months.

If your asphalt is due for seal coating, or if you're not sure when it was last coated, contact us today. Let us save you money now and in the future by properly maintaining your asphalt.

Drivers all across Idaho are met with rough road conditions every time it rains. Pooling water issues on our roads and parking lots is the main source of these conditions. These spots of stagnant water are more than just an annoyance; they pose an instant threat to drivers and their vehicles. For business owners, pooling water cannot only lead to deterioration of the asphalt and the eventual need for costly repairs or replacement, but these issues also represent a liability concern.

“All Idaho businesses, corporations, and employers and have a legal responsibility and accountability to maintain all areas of their premises. This includes parking lots, driveways and sidewalks. These accidents can lead to life-altering injuries that can consume large amounts of time, energy and capital. This capital can be placed into management companies, cleaning companies, outsourced security companies and other corporate entities who can also be held responsible for your injury suit,” warns one Boise, Idaho lawyer who advertises himself as an “Accident Attorney with an emphasis on roadways and parking lot accidents”

Steps to Resolve Pooling Water Issues in Idaho:

Pooling water problems can happen for several reasons, but the most frequent cause is usually an issue with the sub-base and how the road or parking lot was graded. These problems are best approached through milling and paving, a pavement contractor can 'reshoot' the grades and place a leveling lift to repair the problem area.

As we suggested, there is a number of probable causes for your specific pooling water problems. Chances are, you won't know the extent of the problem until you have a professional asphalt contractor examine the problem and assess the condition. We can say with certainty that addressing these problems quickly, can and will save you money and give you peace-of-mind, knowing you and your customers are safe.

PSI  Can Resolve Pooling Water Issues

PSI is a full-service commercial asphalt contractor in the Boise area. We have been in the pavement industry for more than 12 years, managing hundreds of pavement projects throughout Idaho. When you call PSI, you can expect a fair quote, great customer service, and high-quality work.

They say a great contractor is hard to find. We say you just haven’t met PSI yet!

If you have any additional questions about how to fix pooling water problems, please contact us today!

In all the hustle and bustle of preparing for a chilly Boise winter, it's easy to overlook the office. Winter survival for your office looks a lot like winter survival for your home--and it's every bit as important. As with everything else, preparedness starts with a little bit of proactive work, so let our experts in winter maintenance give you a head-start on winter office survival!

A Little Work Now...

Before we get into the details, it's important to understand why winter maintenance is so crucial. A little work now can save you a lot of agonies later. If your office is suffering from any little issues, the cold and stress of a long Boise winter will aggravate those issues and potentially turn them into huge problems. For example, take the parking lot. It is easier, cheaper, and a whole lot less stressful to take care of your parking lot now than it is to replace the whole thing after a winter full of damaging snow and ice. When it comes to winterizing, a little work today goes a long way for tomorrow.

Office Survival

How can you help your office get through the winter? Here are a few handy tips from our experts!

Sprinklers. Maintaining sprinklers before the winter is crucial if you want to have a working sprinkler system when spring returns. Boise winters are infamous for wreaking havoc on the pipes--so make sure to get all the water out of hoses, sprinkler heads, and pipes before the first freeze. Gutters. We take gutters for granted, but they're immensely important. If you don't take care of your gutters before winter, all of the melting snow and ice will sit for long periods of time, exiting slowly and causing a lot of damage on the way out. Don't let your office fall prey to mold, water damage, and other winter woes: take care of your gutters. Parking lots. Getting your parking lot ready for the conditions of a Boise winter is absolutely crucial. Repair the little issues so they don't turn into big issues. Make sure the drainage system is in good working order. Don't forget to have an expert in winter services close at hand to help in emergencies and tight spots.