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Choose the Best Driveway Contractors and They Will Provide You With Better Pathways

Did you know that as a homeowner, you have control over how your property looks? Even though you may be concerned about the interior and may a few exterior items, you need to pay special attention to how your pavement looks as well. Even something as minor as the sidewalk and personal streets that lead into your property can play a large factor in how good your property looks. These can also play a large factor in how much your property appraises for. You don’t have to leave things as they are. If you want to do something different so that everything works together with your home’s appearance, don’t forget to hire some driveway contractors.

In addition to making your home look more unique, it can also provide a more stable pathway for your vehicle and visitors. Cracks and other issues that can affect the integrity of these pathways can cause damage to the undercarriage of your vehicles. It can also create some unwanted liabilities since anyone that gets injured on your property as a result of these defects can sue you. Keep in mind that if you have children and pets that live in the home, you don’t want them to be injured as a result of negligence.

Just because you decide to hire some driveway contractors to come out to your home doesn’t mean that you have to stick with the original design and materials. Remember it is your property and you can pick and choose what you want. If you want to change things up and add more elegance and shape to this pathway, let the company you hired know. If you want to have a different surface used, let your driveway contractors know. If you want to make some changes and are not entirely sure what those changes should be, let the workers know and they can offer you some guidance to help give you some ideas as to how things can be done.

How to stain a concrete driveway fast and easy

You can also drive around different neighborhoods and look at the types of driveways your neighbors have. In addition to thinking about how good a certain design would look, don’t forget to think about the type of materials you want to use. Be mindful of the type of climate you live in. Even though you may be looking for cost effective ways to save some money while you are having this pathway reconstructed, don’t forget to consider materials and designs that can serve other purposes than being a surface for your cars and children to use. If your property is slanted or your house sits back a good distance from the curb, consider having the driveway contractors use a design that adds more length and privacy to your property. No matter what you choose to have done, just know that the right team of professionals will perform the job right and with the utmost attention to quality and craftsmanship.

Read More:   Choose the Best Driveway Contractors and They Will Provide You With Better Pathways

  Read this post here: https://bristolblockdriveways.wordpress.com/2020/06/03/choose-the-best-driveway-contractors-and-they-will-provide-you-with-better-pathways/

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How to Create an ADA Compliant Parking Lot

An ADA compliant parking lot requires proper sizing, placement, and marking of accessible parking spaces.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or the ADA, was created to ensure that public places across America are accessible for people with disabilities. ADA compliance is essential for every property, and property managers must take care that their property follows the guidelines of the ADA. The ADA has regulations for the spaces inside as well as outside most businesses, including the parking lot. The parking lot is the entrance to your business, so creating an ADA compliant parking lot is crucial for making your business accessible to every individual. Read on to learn what necessary components your parking lot needs to be considered ADA compliant. 

Accessible Parking Spaces

An ADA compliant parking lot should have designated accessible parking spaces, an entrance ramp, and any other required architectural changes to increase accessibility. The total number of spaces determines the number of accessible parking spaces required. For instance, an average parking lot with 26-50 spaces is required to have a minimum of two accessible spaces. A lot with 51-75 spaces requires three, a lot with 76-100 spaces requires four, and so on. 

Additionally, one of every six accessible parking spaces must be van-accessible so, if you own a large parking lot with 400-500 spaces, you will be required to have a minimum of nine accessible parking spaces, with two of those van-accessible. A van-accessible space must have extra space on the left and right sides, as well as a sign indicating that it is van-accessible.

The Size and Placement of Parking Spaces

Once you know how many accessible parking spaces you need in your parking lot, you must know the size and placement requirements for each. Every accessible space must be a minimum of eight feet wide and must include an access aisle with a width of five feet. In van-accessible spaces, the access aisle must be eight feet wide. 

An ADA compliant parking lot must provide access from the accessible parking spaces to your building via the shortest, most direct route. Any curbs must have a ramp, and if the path crosses parking lot traffic, the crosswalk must be clearly marked. 

Appropriate Signage

Signage is required for an ADA compliant parking lot. Your accessible parking spaces must be marked to keep others from taking handicapped spots. You should use the international symbol for handicapped access, which features a white wheelchair against a blue background. The symbol is often painted on the pavement, but you are also required to place a sign in front of the space. Additionally, any van-accessible spaces must have the proper signage. Every sign must be high enough so that the entire sign is visible over the hood of the vehicle. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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Why You Should Repair Your Potholes in Spring

The warm weather of spring gives you an excellent chance to repair asphalt potholes.

Potholes are one of the biggest problems for commercial parking lots and commercial paved spaces. If you have potholes on your property, it is crucial that you repair them as soon as possible before they become larger and create serious problems. The best time of year to fix these dangers to pedestrians and vehicles is during warm weather seasons. Springtime is the best time to start repairing your potholes, as several new ones may have developed during the winter. Read on to learn why spring is the best time to repair your potholes, and how PTG Enterprises can help you prepare for your repairs today. 

The Temperature is Ideal 

Temperature is an essential factor in asphalt repair jobs. The mix used to repair potholes is called “hot mix” asphalt, and it’s kept in a liquid state inside of a heated truck. When the weather is warm, the mix will stay in a liquid form until it is poured, spread, and leveled off. Not having to worry about freezing asphalt mix makes pothole repair in the summer less complicated than it would be in the winter. This liquid asphalt hardens over time to form a seal over the previous pothole. Pouring asphalt in warm weather means the liquid asphalt will have a smoother pour without potential freezing temperatures breaking off chunks of the new pavement. 

No More Snowy Weather

Another reason to wait until spring to repair potholes is that you will finally be free of freezing rains and heavy snows of winter. Spring has some rain, but regular rain won’t have disastrous effects on asphalt repairs. The snow and freezing rain associated with winter, however, can cause asphalt to cool too quickly or lead to water buildup underneath the layers of new asphalt. 

Time to Address New Damages From Winter

Spring is an excellent time to perform an inspection of your parking lot, as winter weather is especially tough on asphalt. Asphalt expands and contracts during the freeze-thaw cycles of winter, and any snow accumulation can weaken the structure of the asphalt. As spring approaches and winter weather leaves, it’s an opportunity to inspect your pavement for any further cracking or water damages. During the spring, potholes should be repaired as soon as possible. As you examine your property for potholes, look for any other damages that can be repaired during the upcoming warm seasons. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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Prepare Your Pavement for Spring With This Maintenance Checklist

Sealcoating is a crucial part of any pavement maintenance checklist.

Spring will be here before you know it, and with the change in seasons and weather, comes a perfect opportunity to reevaluate and refresh your asphalt pavement surfaces. If you plan on upgrading the exterior of your business, updating your landscaping, and repairing your parking lots and walkways, now is the time to plan so you can put in place an efficient schedule for your spring maintenance needs. The best way to begin this process is to make a maintenance checklist of all the primary tasks you need to complete. If you don’t know where to start, follow our suggestions below for spring maintenance essentials. 

First, Inspect Your Surfaces

The best place to start with any maintenance checklist is by undertaking a visual inspection of your pavement surfaces. Once winter snow melts, it may leave behind cracks or potholes that have grown through the winter due to the excess of freezing water. These damages are not only unsightly and dangerous to pedestrians and cars but will cause more significant damage to your pavement and soil if left untreated. Assess your property for any of these visual signs of damage. Those places are where you should start your spring repairs. 

Schedule Sealcoating

Discover the last time your pavement underwent sealcoating, and determine if it is time for a fresh coat. Sealcoating is a component of regular pavement maintenance that helps reduce repair costs and protect your surfaces in the long run. A fresh sealcoating also helps your pavement look brand new, which will be great in the spring sunshine. Pavement maintenance should consist of sealing cracks, filling potholes, and scheduling sealcoating services every few years. 

Add the Finishing Touches

Once your parking lot or walkways have been inspected and repaired, you should consider any finishing touches you can add. For instance, any new painting. Repainting parking lines and other regulation symbols on your pavement will not only keep your parking lot safe but will boost the property value and communicate that safety is important to your business. 

Practice Regular Year-Round Maintenance

Make sure that you stay on top of regular maintenance for your asphalt pavement. You won’t want to always wait until the change of seasons to give your surfaces a visual inspection. If any potholes or cracks develop, you want to spot them right away. By keeping your pavement regularly well-maintained, you also maintain a safe environment for employees, customers, and pedestrians while keeping your property looking new and inviting. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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Why Drainage is Important for Maintaining Asphalt Pavements

Asphalt drainage is essential for keeping your parking lot safe.

If your parking lot develops flooded areas, this can be a huge safety concern for drivers and pedestrians. Water can also damage the asphalt itself, which is why regular drainage of your asphalt pavement is essential for maintaining a safe and stable parking lot. Depending on where the water is flooding, you can encounter different damages. Read on to learn how to drain your asphalt properly, so your pavement remains intact and safe. 

Water Damage from Above

If water floods on top of asphalt, it can destroy the material over time by breaking down the bonds between the rocks, the sand, and the asphalt binder. This binder is an oil byproduct, and oil and water do not mix. This means that any water sitting on the surface of asphalt will start destroying your asphalt if it isn’t drained effectively. 

How to Drain Surface Water

The slope of your pavement is the most significant factor in whether your asphalt is adequately drained or not. If the pavement is sloped correctly, it will prevent areas of water from pooling and sitting. Asphalt pavement should have a slope of at least one percent so that the water can flow away. If your pavement is installed without that slope, focus on sealing cracks and patching potholes so that the water is not increasing any current damages. 

Water Damage from Below

From underneath the asphalt, water can wash away the subsoil and weaken supporting material. This will make the asphalt crack under pressure, and it usually happens when there isn’t adequate drainage, and the ground becomes saturated. 

How to Drain Subsurface Water

The approach you take to subsurface drainage depends on the soil underneath your pavement. In some cases, a class-5 aggregate base is enough to allow proper drainage. In other cases, you may need to install at 12 to 18-inch drainable sand layer below the aggregate base, particularly in heavy clay soil. You could also install drain tile below the pavement, as well as a channel to funnel water away from storm drain systems. 

Water Damage From Winter Weather

Any water resulting from winter weather poses a risk to your asphalt. This water can get into cracks that are forming, and make them worse through the freeze-thaw cycle. Water can also freeze in the layer beneath the asphalt, which causes it to heave upward and crack. These damages can be addressed by employing the drainage solutions mentioned above. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

  The post Why Drainage is Important for Maintaining Asphalt Pavements appeared first on MYpavementGUY.com.

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5 Steps to Prepare Your Pavement for Spring

Sealcoating is one step you can take to prepare your pavement for spring weather.

The long winter months can easily wreak havoc on various parts of your property. Your pavement, pipes, and any outdoor features can break down under the fluctuating weather conditions. As the weather begins to warm up enough to make pavement repair easier, you should inspect your property’s pavement for a few signs that indicate a repair is necessary. To keep your pavement in excellent shape as the seasons change, follow these five steps to prepare your pavement for spring and the subsequent weather conditions it will face in the next few months. 

Check for Pavement Cracks

If your pavement went into the winter months with a few cracks, the winter weather likely made those cracks worse. If your pavement hasn’t been recently resealed, the water from ice and snow could seep into the cracks, freeze, and expand those cracks. Take note of any pavement cracks that pose a risk to visiting vehicles and pedestrians and prepare to repair them before spring. 

Look for New Damage

As you prepare your pavement for spring, inspect the area to see if any potholes have formed. Once any snow or ice has melted and salt and debris wash away in warm weather rain, you can get a better look at your pavement and any new damages. You should also keep an eye out for any damages that may have resulted from de-icing materials, or the snowplow trucks. 

Determine if the Pavement Surface is Level

Uneven surfaces can easily lead to vehicle accidents or pedestrian injuries. If you find that the surface of your pavement is not level, the professionals at PTG Enterprises can grind down the pavement or apply patches wherever necessary to give your pavement an even surface. 

Prepare for Fills and Sealcoating

To prevent further pavement damage in the spring, use asphalt falling and sealcoating services to repair any damages in your pavement. Now that the dead of winter is passing, the conditions are much better to address any pavement repairs. These repairs could be extensive, so you should also plan accordingly when best to initiate them. 

Consult with an Expert

Sometimes, it can be challenging to spot damages and understand what you’re seeing. Additionally, even when you find the potholes and cracks, you may not know what to do next. To guarantee that you are making the best decisions for your pavement, you can schedule a consultation with professionals to understand what repairs are necessary, how long each repair will take, and what the expected costs are. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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How to Spot and Prevent Frost Heave Damage

Frost heave damage can crack and unsettle your pavement after extreme winter temperatures.

After enduring months of temperatures that yo-yo between freezing and cool, property managers in Maryland may be spotting the effects of frost heave and freeze-thaw cycles on their parking lots and sidewalks. It’s essential to understand what frost heave damage is, as well as the freeze-thaw cycles, in order to prevent or repair the damages that can result from them. Read on to learn about these consequences of winter weather, and how to spot them on your property. 

How Frost Heave Damage Occurs

Frost heave damage occurs when the pavement or walkway begins to heave, or shift, after enduring freezing weather. Freezing temperatures penetrate the ground and turn any water under the pavement or concrete into ice. When water solidifies into ice, its volume increases. When the temperature goes back above freezing, that ice will melt and produce more water under the pavement. The freezing process also dries any surrounding soil, which will draw water from the frost front. This process can cause the pavement and sidewalk materials to crack or settle unevenly, which will make your pavement surfaces not only very unsafe but unsightly as well. 

How Freeze-Thaw Cycles Impact Your Pavement

A freeze-thaw cycle occurs when the temperatures change from above freezing to below freezing, and then back again. When the temperature is above freezing, rain and snow can seep into small cracks present in the pavement. Once the air dips below freezing, that water will freeze and expand, which will cause those cracks to grow. This cycle of freezing, growing, and melting will continue as the weather fluctuates. 

These drastic temperature changes can alter the depth of the frost front, which helps to create a series of ice lenses with layers of frozen soil. These ice lenses will grow and thrust the ground surface upward, lifting soil and causing large cracks in the pavement. 

Property managers in Maryland are used to fluctuating temperatures, so their pavement is especially susceptible to freeze-thaw damages. 

How to Prevent Frost Heave Damage

Proper pavement installation is a crucial first step in preventing excessive frost heave damages. PTG Enterprises can ensure that your pavement is appropriately installed and regularly maintained by our experienced professionals. If you do experience damages to your pavement after a rocky winter, you can contact PTG for advice on the best method for repairing the affected areas without disrupting your business operations. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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Why You Should Repair Winter Potholes as Soon as Possible

Repairing winter potholes quickly can help you eliminate driving hazards.

A pothole is one of the most potentially damaging defects that can develop in a parking lot. This pesky pothole poses a risk to both cars and pedestrians, and decrease the curb appeal of your business and its parking lot. The harsh weather and temperatures of winter can lead to potholes quickly developing. However, it is crucial for maintaining your business’s safety and reputation to repair those winter potholes as soon as possible. Taking the time to repair potholes can help benefit you in the three following crucial ways. 

Repairing Potholes Protects Drivers and Pedestrians

The first reason you should care about repairing winter potholes that develop is that it will eliminate hazards for your customers. If someone were to trip and fall or be otherwise injured due to a pothole on your property, you could be held liable for their injuries and owe a significant payment to them. You can avoid any of these issues by looking for potholes regularly and repairing them as soon as possible. 

Repairs Prevent Further Parking Lot Damage

If a pothole is left untreated, it can easily grow and cause more damage to your parking lot. Water will continue to travel into the pothole, which weakens the asphalt. As vehicles drive over that spot all day, every day, the pavement will crumble, and the pothole will expand. If you are putting off repairing your winter potholes to save money, you might actually be costing yourself more money down the line by creating a more significant problem to fix. 

Increase Your Curb Appeal

Finally, an excellent reason for repairing potholes and any other damages to your parking lot is to increase your curb appeal. A significant part of attracting and keeping new customers for your business is to present a clean, cared-for business. If your parking lot is riddled with potholes, customers may stay away because it’s too dangerous, or they may get the impression that you don’t care about your business. 

Letting winter potholes develop without repairing them quickly will only hurt your business and your budget in the long run. Consult with PTG Enterprises today to get any new potholes repaired. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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The Importance of Spotting and Repairing Parking Lot Sinkholes

Parking lot sinkholes can cause extensive damage if they aren’t repaired as soon as possible.

The parking lot is a crucial space for any business. Your customers need access to it to visit your business, and if it is too difficult to travel through, they may stop visiting you altogether. Damages like cracks and potholes can occur in any parking lot, no matter how well-cared-for it is. What matters is how quickly and successfully you repair the damages. One of the damages you should look out for is parking lot sinkholes. Sinkholes don’t always need to be large; a sinkhole of any size is dangerous to cars and pedestrians. Read below to learn how sinkholes happen and why it is necessary to repair them as soon as possible.

How Parking Lot Sinkholes Form

A sinkhole is not the same thing as a pothole. A pothole is created when asphalt breaks away and is worn down over time. A sinkhole is a gap formed in the soil, often under pavement, that forms due to erosion. Erosion can be caused by heavy rainfall or by burst pipes placed underneath roads. The water eats away at the soil until a large void is created. Without strong soil support, the pavement that acts as the “roof” of this void caves in. What results is a huge hole that seemingly appears out of nowhere. 

Sinkhole Damages

Often, when you hear of a sinkhole, it is enormous in size, but most sinkholes that occur are not so extreme. Most parking lot sinkholes are small, close to the size of golf balls or basketballs, but they can often appear close to buildings or walkways. Like pavement cracks and potholes, sinkholes can lead to car damage or personal injuries. Sinkholes may even be more dangerous because if they are allowed to spread, you may lose a large chunk of your parking lot!

Addressing the Problem

Unlike potholes, it is not enough to simply cover the parking lot sinkhole with new asphalt. The cause of sinkholes is erosion, and so that must be addressed. If the sinkhole is near your catch basin, that may indicate the basin is working incorrectly. It may also suggest that the pipes from your basin have corroded or burst. Have your catch basin inspected before having the hole repaired.

If the sinkhole appears under a concrete slab, you may be able to jack the slab up and fill in under it to level it, but you still must find the source of erosion first. If sinkholes appear near your building’s foundation, the stability of your entire building could be impacted. In this case, you should have a safety inspection done immediately. Sinkholes near buildings often indicate that a broken or damaged drainage system isn’t working properly, so you should have that inspected as well before filling the hole. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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How to Eliminate Common Pedestrian Hazards in Your Parking Lot

Removing snowfall immediately is an important step in preventing your parking lot from developing common pedestrian hazards.

Even if you are taking measures to remove snow from your parking lot this winter, your pavement can still become dangerous to pedestrians by accumulating ice and developing cracks that can trip customers. If your visitors don’t feel safe traveling in your parking lot, you can not only lose business but suffer long-lasting damages to your reputation. To avoid the negative consequences of pedestrian hazards in your parking lot, follow the guide below for spotting dangerous areas and eliminating them as efficiently as possible. 

Maintain Walking Surfaces

The best way to consistently be aware of common pedestrian hazards in your lot is to establish an inspection program that regularly inspects and responds to trip and fall hazards. This inspection program can do the following to maintain safe conditions: 

Check for cracks and uneven surfaces, especially in the transitions between asphalt and concrete walkways. Sealing cracks can help solve that problem, and potholes can be filled before an incident occurs. 

Inspect parking lot light bulbs and replace them if necessary. There are more hours of darkness in the winter, and impairing visibility of employees and guests makes them more likely not to see a patch of ice or a pothole. 

Paint curbs, islands, ramps, wheel stops, and any other elevation changes with bright, contrasting colors and slip-resistant paint. 

Ensure drain covers and grates are as close to the walking surfaces as possible, and there are no openings in the grate larger than one inch. 

Check that roof drains do not discharge across sidewalks or into parking areas. 

Maintain awnings and canopies over stairways and entrances.

In the case you do have an incident occur, do a thorough incident investigation to discover the root cause and take measures to eliminate that cause. 

Respond to Weather Conditions

Winter weather is the cause of many common pedestrian hazards, due to the frequent rain, ice, snow, or wintry mix that can fall during these months. A good way to respond is first to remove ice and snow before employees arrive for work, and continue to remove it throughout the day. You should have a winter weather response plan, so you are always prepared no matter what the conditions are. This plan should include steps such as the following: 

Plow snow when it reaches three inches, and plow to the low end of the lot or as close to drains as possible. Keep piles away from exits. 

Walkways, stairways, and ramps should be completely cleared of snow and ice.

Provide extra walk-off mats at entrances during heavy snows and install wet floor signs to warn visitors about the increased slip hazard. 

Use deicers to treat icy pavements, and use abrasives to provide traction for pedestrians and vehicles. Consider using alternative methods to rock salt, which can harm the asphalt. 

Pay attention to the north-facing sides of buildings that receive less sunlight and stay frozen longer. 

Being prepared and consulting pavement experts at PTG Enterprises can ensure that no one is injured in your parking lot during the hazardous winter months. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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How Often You Should Restripe Your Facility’s Parking Lot

Learn why and when you should restripe your facility’s parking lot.

Business owners may underestimate the maintenance and upkeep required to keep their business running smoothly and remaining attractive to customers. Besides the obvious factors that are necessary for maintaining a business such as rent, employee wages, taxes, and inventory, taking care to maintain your business’s parking lot is just as essential. Understanding the reasons why striping your parking lot is important, as well as when to restripe your facility’s parking lot, will help you maintain this critical part of a well-run business. 

Why Effective Parking Lot Striping is Necessary

Striping Keeps People Safe

Bright parking lot striping is essential because it dictates where cars traveling through the lot should travel, park, and look for pedestrians. When the striping begins to fade, confusion can ensue and make parking lots dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike. 

Looks Matter

It is also vital to restripe your facility’s parking lot to maintain the appearance of your business’s property. Studies have shown that the majority of customers will develop a negative opinion based on things like dirty floors, dustiness, and window smudges when visiting a business. If your parking lot is in disarray and uncared for, customers will notice and develop a negative impression of the quality of your business. 

When to Restripe Your Facility’s Parking Lot

The conditions that affect your parking lot vary from business to business. Generally, however, three factors help determine the best time to restripe your facility’s parking lot. 

Traffic 

If you get heavy vehicle traffic, you will need annual restriping to keep the lines bright, safe, and appealing. If your lot has significantly less traffic, you may be able to wait at least 24 months before restriping. 

Weather

Sunlight, excessive heat, precipitation, and rainwater runoff all do damage to the striping of a parking lot. In the areas in which PTG Enterprises service, parking lots experience a wide range of hot summers and cold winters. After particularly strong seasons, it’s useful to do a visual inspection of your lot to assess the need for restriping. 

Redesign and Noncompliance

Any time you want to change the traffic patterns or purpose of your parking lot, you will need to restripe. Adding or removing parking spots, changing their orientation, or adding a drive-thru will all require you to restripe your facility’s parking lot. 

If you need to adjust to changes in local, state, or federal laws on parking lots, garages, and accessibility, you will need to restripe your parking lot as soon as possible. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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3 Parking Lot Maintenance Essentials

Parking lot maintenance includes sealing cracks before they lead to larger problems such as potholes.

When maintaining and preserving a business’s parking lot, property managers should be on the lookout for three key signs of wear: potholes, cracks, and damage so severe that it needs to be replaced. Customers or visitors do not want their cars to be jostled by potholes, and they don’t want to trip and fall over large cracks or ruts in the parking lot. These pavement troubles can lead to consequences ranging from a personal injury suit to decreased business and a negative reputation. If you want to maintain a successful business that is safe and inviting, parking lot maintenance is essential. If you take care to spot and quickly fix any potholes, cracks, and severe damages, you can be sure that your business will stay booming. 

Repairing Potholes

When water is absorbed into the asphalt, it can deteriorate the material and lead to the formation of a pothole. Potholes are not only unsightly, but they can easily cause damage to vehicles as well as pedestrians. Repairs to potholes should be done as soon as possible before they cause any problems or accidents. When repairing potholes, warm weather is best along with roughly 30 days of dry weather. However, particular methods can allow pothole repairs to take place in winter. 

Sealing Cracks

Sealing cracks is an essential part of parking lot maintenance because it is a relatively easy task that prevents many more significant problems from forming, including potholes. However, sometimes cracks may cause someone to trip or their shopping cart to catch, so you can never be too safe by sealing up pavement cracks. Often a seal coat is all that is needed to heal a small crack, but when cracks become wider than an inch, a crack sealer is your best course of action. 

Replacing Damaged Pavement

As a property manager, there are times when you will have to face that it will be better to replace a section of pavement rather than spend money on multiple repairs or a temporary repair. If there is a section of pavement that requires repeated repairs that don’t last very long, the best option is likely to repave. When you schedule your pavement repair, make sure to consult your paving expert to discover if any factors were causing your damage. If you can figure out the causes, you can avoid repeated damage in the future. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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An Introduction to Cold Weather Concreting

Cold weather concreting is possible through two potential methods.

Often, construction companies will have to pour concrete even during the winter months. Waiting for the cold to pass is not always feasible, so it is possible to pour concrete during colder temperatures, what’s known as “cold weather concreting.” If cold weather concreting is not done correctly and carefully, the sustainability and integrity of the concrete can degrade quickly. There are a few methods, however, which can ensure successful cold weather concreting. Read on to learn the basics of this wintry pavement process. 

Cold Weather Concreting Methods

The primary threat to pouring concrete in winter is that it will freeze before the concrete has fully set. The methods that fight this threat usually work by either speeding the curing process or keeping the entire area heated to allow slower normalized drying time. 

Speeding the Curing Process

Speeding up the cold weather concreting process involves adding chemical additives to the concrete mix, which accelerate the concrete curing. You can buy a blend with the additives already included, or additives can be mixed in at the construction site. 

Heating the Area

Methods that involve heating the area can include tactics like covering the concrete with insulated blankets, film cover, straw, burlap, or electric-powered heating blankets. 

Advantages and Disadvantages

Disadvantages

The chemical accelerators can have potentially adverse consequences for the cold weather concreting process. The chemicals have a dehydrating and corrosive nature, which can cause the concrete to cure too quickly, which results in weak concrete. This weakness can make the concrete more prone to cracks and damage, which will require costly repairs. 

Advantages

Due to the potential consequences of the chemical additives, heating the area during cold weather concreting is the recommended method. Heated blankets can be especially useful, and can help to cure the concrete 2.8 times faster without any significant disadvantages or harsh side effects you need to spend more to counteract. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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Happy Holidays from PTG Enterprises!

Happy Holidays from PTG Enterprises!

PTG Enterprises would like to wish happy holidays to you and yours through the end of December! We hope you take the time at the end of the year to appreciate all of the good things 2019 brought to you. 

PTG Enterprises Will Reopen January 2nd

PTG Enterprises will be closed from December 21st to January 1st. We will be back for business on January 2nd, ready to start the new year right! 

Until Then…

In the meantime, you can explore all of the services offered by PTG Enterprises, try alternative methods for de-icing your pavement, and practice safe driving methods. We’ll see you in 2020, ready to plan your next fantastic paving project.

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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Tips for Safe Winter Driving

Follow these tips for safe winter driving this year.

As the temperatures turn colder and snow starts to fall, the dangers of driving on pavement covered in ice and snow increase. However, there are always a few tasks you can do to play your part in keeping drivers safe on the road. PTG Enterprises would like to remind our customers of the essential tips for staying safe this winter season. Read on for the recommended safety tips for your car’s safe winter driving this year. 

Winterize Your Car 

Before winter weather hits, make sure your car is up-to-date. Keep your fuel tank half full, especially before a long trip. Make sure that your oil has been changed and that other fluids in your car have been topped off. 

Make Sure Tires Are Properly Inflated for Safe Winter Driving

You don’t want to get stranded in the cold with a flat tire. Be sure your tires are properly inflated, as the tire pressure can fluctuate with temperature changes. You could also buy “snow tires” which provide more traction in snow, slush, and ice than all-season tires.

Remember the Basic Safety Rules

You can promote safe winter driving by remembering basic safety rules. First, drive slow when the snow starts to fall. Second, wear your seat belt! If you are in a collision, your seat belt could save your life. 

Accelerate and Decelerate Slowly

If you accelerate or brake hard while driving in snow, your car can lose traction and control. Stay calm and slowly accelerate and decelerate to ensure safe winter driving. Additionally, steer smoothly and avoid jerky movements. Safe winter driving includes movements that are deliberate, gentle, and gradual. 

3-4 Second Rule

Stay three to four seconds behind the person in front of you. While driving in snow and ice, this should be increased to six to eight seconds. 

Stay Alert!

As always, safe driving means staying alert and removing distractions. Pay attention to your surroundings to be alert to any dangerous areas. Look ahead as you drive to spot any upcoming turns or icy areas. 

No Cruise Control

Using cruise control while driving in snowy or icy conditions can quickly lead to an accident. Keep your cruise control off for safe winter driving. 

Plan Your Route

Checking the weather ahead of your trip can save you some trouble while out on the road. Additionally, mapping out your route before you leave will help you be even more prepared for the conditions you may encounter. 

Have an Emergency Kit

Have a winter emergency kit in your car to help you be prepared in case of a breakdown or unforeseen event. This kit can include an ice scraper, a blanket, kitty litter for tire traction, road flares, a flashlight, jumper cables, a first aid kit, a map, and spare tools. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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Repair Potholes in Winter With Cold Asphalt Patching

Cold asphalt patching can repair dangerous potholes during the cold winter months.

There are still a few months left of wintry weather here in Maryland, but parking lots and asphalt surfaces still need repairs. Due to the fluctuating and often freezing temperatures affecting pavement during the winter, cracks and potholes can quickly form. Waiting too long to fix potholes and cracks will only increase the damage, so it is best to repair them as soon as possible. Fortunately, with cold asphalt patching, you do not need to wait for warm weather conditions to restore your pavement. 

What Is Cold Asphalt Patching?

Usually, filling a pothole requires a hot product mix. This means that the pothole repair would not be done until warmer months, to avoid the hot mix freezing before it can fill the pothole. However, cold asphalt patching, or cold tar patching, exists specifically to work in cold temperatures. 

How the Cold Patching Works

The cold asphalt patching mix is designed with special polymers. These make the mix softer and more pliable than hot mix asphalt. Additionally, cold asphalt mix is easier to use than hot. No heating or rolling is required; instead, you merely need to tamp the mix down in the pothole with a hand tool or heavy object. 

A Temporary Fix

Cold asphalt patching is often considered a relatively temporary repair for potholes. By spring or summer, you can use a hot mix to repair cracks and potholes more permanently. In the meantime, you protect your property’s visitors from dangerous pavement cracks and potholes.

Cold Asphalt Patching Offers a Year-Round Fix

The best part of cold asphalt patching is that it makes pothole repair possible throughout the year. Previously, you could only repair asphalt in warm weather, and the process required bulky equipment. Cold patching, however, allows for a quick and relatively easy patching service to repair potholes that need immediate fixing. 

Call a Professional 

You may not want to take a chance of further damaging your asphalt by applying a cold asphalt patch yourself. Additionally, if your parking lot has multiple cracks or potholes, it would be best to hire a professional such as PTG Enterprises. The professionals at PTG are the experienced team you need to quickly repair your potholes in winter, saving your business time and money as well as ensuring safe surfaces through the winter. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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When to Begin Planning Paving Projects for 2020

December is the time to begin planning pavement projects for 2020.

The final month of the year is finally here, and it is an excellent time to start planning for 2020. Property managers should begin planning paving projects they wish to complete in the coming year. However, balancing project planning with the end-of-year business can get overwhelming. If you need assistance in planning paving projects for 2020, contact PTG today and use our professional pavement contractor services to help you develop your strategy for next year. 

First, Consult with PTG Professionals

Before you plan too much of your future paving projects, schedule a consultation with a professional contractor. At PTG, our employees first visit a site to understand your pavement needs and will discuss the work with you to find the areas of importance. We may run tests to determine pavement water drainage and test the integrity of the parking lot asphalt by taking core samples. We ensure a thorough examination of your facility’s concrete or asphalt pavement before we work with you to plan a strategy that will maximize the lifespan of your pavement surfaces. 

With more than two decades of experience, PTG Enterprises has responded to thousands of requests for proposals (RFPs) and have submitted award-winning contracts and proposals. We are always available for consultations that are affordable and informative. 

Plan Your Paving Project Budget

After your initial consultation, you will better understand which paving projects need completion in 2020, and what each project requires. The next step in planning paving projects is to establish a budget that will cover your most critical projects for the year. Our contractors will do everything in their power to work within your determined budget and complete your crucial paving projects. 

As a member of the Community Association Institute (CAI), National Facilities Management and Technology (NFMT), and Maryland Multi-Housing Association (MMHA), PTG is eager to help property managers make the best financial decisions for their business or community association. 

Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises

If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

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