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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) February 28, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

February 28, 2017 at 11:24PM

Construction Industry has much to learn on building resilience from flooding

The chairman of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Select Committee, Neil Parish MP, has been on a fact-finding mission to a damage restoration depot in his own constituency.

Mr Parish was shown Richfords Fire & Flood’s facility at Cullompton on 17th February 2017 where he saw the equipment used to dry out buildings after an escape of water or flooding. The EFRA chair was also shown a training mock-up of a stud-wall which had been rigged up for injection drying and remote monitoring.

After his tour, the Tiverton & Honiton MP said:

“I applaud the work of Richfords in allowing people back into their homes much more quickly and then, in the future, increase the resilience of that property. That’s great news because people don’t want to be out of their homes for a very long time. I chair the EFRA select committee and we recently published a report on floods and flooding. The report stressed how important it is to improve properties if they have flooded and make them more resilient afterwards.

I’m very interested in Richfords’ work because it will put in very good stead some future programmes. There is a lot that the Government and local authorities can learn through the planning process and the building control process as well. It is up to Government and local authorities to work with companies like Richfords so we can make life easier for people, get a better construction and better building in the first place so that hopefully, if it floods or has a fire, then it is more resilient.”

Among the other topics discussed was the new British Standard for Damage Management (BS12999) and the importance of getting this embedded in industry across the country.

Richfords’ Business Development Director, Michael Cooper, said:

“It is important that we make our knowledge available to politicians who are shaping future policies because the buildings being constructed now will have an impact on how we deal with the potential increase in flooding events in the future. We want to make getting people’s lives back as fast and effective as possible. However, we need to know that the housing being built can be restored. Our fear is that some of the new stock is NOT resilient. This fear is based on recent experience of dealing with a water damage incidents in new timber-frame homes.”

Richfords Fire & Flood’s campaign to educate includes more meetings with politicians in the coming months and a series of CPD sessions for constructors and architects across the south west.

Images and Video from the visit.

The post Construction Industry has much to learn on building resilience from flooding appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) February 24, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

February 24, 2017 at 03:02PM

Plans to go in for Liverpool’s tallest tower

6 Ways Commercial Asphalt Paving Can Help Your Business Save Money

At first thought, you may not consider asphalt pavement as your next money saving investment, but consider taking a closer look. With proper installation, water drainage and management, and green infrastructure solutions, it’s good business to add asphalt to your 2017 investment plan.

Consider these money-saving tips for your business.

1. Improving Asphalt Drainage Can Save Money

Driveways and parking lots with poor drainage will require more frequent repairs and maintenance, and as a business owner, that can be very frustrating. Without proper drainage, you’ll likely see standing water, which has the potential to slowly breakdown and compromise the asphalt surface, leading to cracks and eventually even potholes. This means more money for repairs, more often.

Proper drainage is one of the most important considerations with new asphalt installation. Even flat driveways and parking lots require at least a two-percent slope and a crown of at least a quarter of an inch, per foot. This ensures that water can drain appropriately to allocated areas, like a storm water basin or rain garden.

2. Proper Asphalt Installation Saves Time and Money

The lifespan of your asphalt surface depends a lot on whether the asphalt was installed appropriately. We’ve already mentioned that drainage is a key installation consideration, and that requires proper installation of the sub-base. Think of the sub-base as the platform, or support structure of your driveway or parking lot. Without adequate support, your asphalt surface won’t last.

Beyond the selection of proper materials, your commercial asphalt contractor in Milwaukee or Madison should focus on proper compaction and grading. Compaction is a very important step in the driveway installation process because the integrity of the asphalt overlay depends on a solid base. Contractors should test the entire surface area for any soft spots and resolve them before continuing to apply asphalt.

3. Porous Asphalt Pavement May Offer Tax Credits

Porous asphalt pavement is considered a ‘green’ asphalt solution. It is unique because it allows water to run through it, as opposed to over it, eliminating water runoff and instead, returning water naturally to the soil and water table below the asphalt surface. 

Many municipalities actually consider porous asphalt as a green infrastructure solution, so if you choose to use it for your parking lot or driveway installation or expansion, you could receive a tax or ‘green’ credit.

Not only that, the use of porous asphalt can reduce your costs in other areas, too. Using porous asphalt means you can reduce the need for drainage structures to comply with storm water regulations, and moreover, reduce the need for storm water management feature costs, like specialized landscaping and retention ponds. 

4. Save Money with a Reputable Asphalt Contractor

This might seem obvious, but is with reviewing. The contractor you choose for your job can affect the quality of not only your installation, but also, of the asphalt surface itself. Choose a contractor with experience doing driveways and parking lots of your project size and always ask to see their previous work. Verify that the contractor is properly licensed and insured. 

Choose a reputable local contractor with experience working in your area. Whether it is Waukesha, Sun Prairie or Oconomowoc, there are contractors who know municipality requirements and the best asphalt to choose based on climate and soil type. Check in your area for a contractor that creates their own custom asphalt mixes, designed specifically for job type and climate. Lastly, asking neighbors and friends is an easy way to find a reliable driveway and parking lot construction company.

5. Quote Out Your Paving Project to Save Money

In most cases, finding a reputable contractor takes time, and that is okay. It is better to interview a number of potential contractors before your choose one to complete your job to see the similarities and differences in their paving estimates and recommendations. That way, you can choose the contractor with the project scope that best fits your needs.

Just remember, the lowest cost is not the only option to consider — consider a contractor’s years of experience in the area, whether they create custom asphalt for each unique job site and also, whether they offer great customer service.

6. Save Money with Regular Maintenance 

It may seem counter intuitive, but the more money you invest regularly in your asphalt surface for maintenance, the longer it will last, and the less you will be required to invest long-term, for a brand new asphalt installation. 

Preventative maintenance includes: 

• Regular sealcoating applications, to keep your asphalt look fresh and to protect it from harmful UV rays, water and surface pollutants
• Crack filling and repair – to make sure cracks don’t have the chance to expand quickly and cause more damage.
• Sweeping and cleaning services – to keep pollutants out and to regularly inspect your surface
• Pothole repair – to ensure potholes and water infiltration don’t compromise the sub-base of your asphalt surface.

Consider investing in asphalt pavement and make a great first impression with customers, clients, residents and visitors alike.

Interested in more information about Wolf Paving?

Contact us today or request a free paving estimate online. We are currently reviewing and scheduling paving jobs.

With more than 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs.

Offering professional paving services from Milwaukee to Madison, and everywhere in between, including all areas around: Sun Prairie, Oconomowoc, and Waukesha. 

It’s never too early or too late to request a free paving estimate. Call Wolf Paving today. For the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

 

The post 6 Ways Commercial Asphalt Paving Can Help Your Business Save Money appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

Subcontractor boss launches probe into late payment

The Survey Association launches smart new website

The Survey Association launches smart new website

New features give clients a fast route to TSA’s expertise  

The Survey Association (TSA), the UK’s trade body for commercial survey companies, has redeveloped its website, following a year of exceptional growth in visitor numbers and applications for membership.

During 2016, TSA’s website logged more than 142,000 visits from 100 different countries, an increase of 153% on 2014. TSA also received 19 applications for membership, the highest ever in one year. http://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/

TSA President Adam Bradley said, ‘’Improvements to the website’s functionality and refreshed design has been essential to align with the growth of the profession in a number of sectors. With a clearer, easy to navigate listing, clients can now quickly contact a trusted industry professional from our growing list of Member companies.’’

‘’The Job Opportunities section, the most visited page on the site, has been improved too, with a cleaner layout, showing vacancies within a range of survey specialisms,’’ he added.

TSA’s free Client Guides and Guidance Notes on specific survey topics are authored by industry specialist Members. Construction professionals and international organisations regularly consult these documents.

TSA Manager, Rachel Tyrrell explains, ‘’During 2016 there were almost 8,000 (7,961) downloads by engineers, local government, educational establishments and surveyors from all over the world.  The new site makes it simpler for these users to review and download from our growing library.’’

To complement the Client Guides and Guidance Notes, TSA plans to establish a new library of Work Samples, illustrating the standard and quality of work expected from a trusted survey company.

TSA’s website also carries information about professional training courses as they become available. For specific information on the TSA Surveying Course and shorter technical courses offered at The Survey School visit www.surveyschool.org.uk

For further information on The Survey Association visit http://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/    Tel: 01636 642840  Email: office@tsa-uk.org.uk  

The post The Survey Association launches smart new website appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

Participants from the 2016 GBS programme

Find out more about ‘green’ construction summer university programme at Ecobuild

Visitors to Ecobuild can find out more about a pioneering Austrian summer university programme, which provides world-leading insight into sustainable architecture and the built environment.

Green.Building.Solutions. (GBS) takes place in Vienna, the capital of energy efficient construction in the summer.

Representatives from the OeAD-Housing Office will be on hand at Ecobuild from the 7 to 9 March to discuss the course, from their base located within the Advantage Austria pavilion, on stand number A189.

The programme provides a unique opportunity for professionals and students in the fields of architecture and construction to strengthen their knowledge and gain a career advantage in the field of sustainability – an area of increasing global significance.

Organised by the OeAD-Housing Office, which offers passive house accommodation for students across Austria, together with the BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, the course advocates the use of natural resources by connecting natural, engineering and economic sciences.

The three-week programme’s lectures and all associated social activities are carried out in English and the course is of appeal to – but not limited to – those working in and studying architecture, construction management, project management, building and energy engineering and surveying.

It concludes with a collaborative project, where participants work together to bring their learning and experiences from the course to design a ‘green’ building. Student participants are entitled to seven ECTS points after successful completion.

The GBS summer university takes place from July 22 to August 13, 2017.

The cost of the course is €2,490 for professionals and €2,000 for students. This price includes all social activities as well as accommodation in OeAD’s passive house student properties in Vienna. The cost also includes accommodation for participants for almost a week after the programme, enabling them to explore the city at leisure.

Günther Jedliczka, CEO of the OeAD-Housing Office, said: “Austria is world-renowned as a pioneer in sustainable construction and GBS offers professionals and students from the UK and Ireland the opportunity to broaden their perspective and build a network of useful contacts across Europe and beyond.

“We offer a truly international atmosphere, with 38 participants from 20 nations successfully completing the programme last year covering topics including Sustainability in Building and Urban Planning, Principles of Passive House Planning and Renewable Energies and Business Concepts.

“Everyone wanting to find out more is warmly welcomed to come to our stand at Ecobuild, where we will be able to provide more details.”

The OeAD-Housing Office – which won the Austrian Climate Protection Award in 2013 and the Environmental Award of the City of Vienna in March 2015 – operates the Green Building Solutions course under a not-for-profit arrangement.

As well as GBS, OeAD also runs the Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems programme (AEMS), which analyses how economic, political, monetary and environmental factors need to change to be more sustainable – from the 26 July   July until 11 August, 2017.

More details about GBS and AEMS can be found at www.summer-university.net

The post Participants from the 2016 GBS programme appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk

New Wear Crossing giant pylon raised in single lift

Worker loses leg in rebar horror

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) February 13, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

February 13, 2017 at 11:40AM

£41m Lancaster Uni health campus approved

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) February 7, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

February 07, 2017 at 08:21PM

When Should You Sealcoat or Repave Your Asphalt Driveway?

This post originally published in 2013 and has been recently updated.

As a homeowner, you understand the importance of maintaining your property, including your driveway. Taking care of your driveway isn’t always the easiest thing. You have to know when to seal coat it or when to have it repaved.

But when is the right time? And how do you go about maintaining and repairing a driveway?

Thankfully, Wolf Paving is here to help you. One of our top Project Managers took the time to answer some important questions homeowners often ask. Here’s what he had to say about maintaining asphalt driveways.

How does a home or business owner know if they can just sealcoat a driveway or when it is time for a new asphalt driveway?

• If the driveway has areas where the pavement is rutted or severely broken, where the pavement sort of looks like the hide of an alligator – we call this “alligatoring” or alligator cracks – this is when you need to start thinking about new asphalt. When a pavement gets to that point you really can’t crack fill it any more.
• To crack fill over a patch of alligator cracks would basically turn the area into a continuous sheet of crack filling rubber. If you would do that, in warmer weather, vehicle tires can adhere to this large area of crack filler and literally pull the pavement out of the driveway. 
• Also, a driveway that has been sealed/oversealed over the years can cause this alligatoring effect. The key is to look very closely at the pavement. Alligatoring from oversealing has more of a look of cracked glazing on pottery and doesn’t actually crack the pavement underneath, while alligatoring of the pavement will show actual cracks down into the pavement where an object like a butter knife could be inserted. Merely sealing really can’t cure either condition.

What do you base your paving recommendation on? 

• I take a good look at the cracking on the driveway and whether or not the driveway drainage mechanics are working properly. Significant cracking of the pavement underneath allows water into the base, which in turn accelerates cracking during freeze-thaw times of the year. On the drainage mechanics, I look to see if the driveway is draining properly and not allowing drainage towards foundations, doors, or other undesirable places. If I see either of these things, I recommend a new driveway to cure the issues.
• If the driveway has the alligatoring effect where just the sealcoat has that cracked glazed pottery look, a sealcoat will merely make everything nice and black again, but the effect will still be there once the sealcoat has been completed. This type of cracked-pottery alligatoring effect has no effect on the structural integrity of the driveway and is merely cosmetic in nature. If cosmetics of the drive are of significant importance to the home or business owner, I recommend a new driveway.

If I tried a "do-it-yourself" sealcoat and it went horrible wrong, can Wolf Paving help fix it?

• Many off-the-shelf sealcoating products have been formulated to withstand sitting on a store shelf for an extended period of time. As a result, these products cannot match the quality and durability of the products and types of sealer that Wolf Paving uses. We custom mix our sealers with the appropriate additives, and our material is kept in a suspended state of frequent mixing; something store brands are not able to offer. I have seen driveways where an attempt by a homeowner went badly and we were asked to see what we can do - with mixed results. As we have no control over the chemical makeup of the material the homeowner used, we can’t guarantee against a reaction between their sealer and ours, and any adhesion issues that may result.
• I have also seen homeowner attempts where their sealer never fully cures and remains a little tacky, which can be an major issue. To these homeowners, I often recommend having the Wolf Paving team come in and sealing over the top in hopes that there are no issues (most of the time there is not an issue), but there needs to be an understanding that we can’t guarantee against a reaction, but will do our best.

Why would someone just sealcoat the end of their driveway?

• There are quite a few municipalities that will not allow a concrete driveway to extend all the way to the road edge - thus requiring a short asphalt approach. All driveways weather and given enough time, concrete driveways can become grey, while asphalt driveways can fade to grey as well- giving the appearance of a similar type of driveway. There is no sealcoat that will bring a concrete driveway back to white, so once the homeowner sealcoats the asphalt portion, the difference in driveway types becomes very noticeable.

Any advice or quick tips for a homeowner with a weathered asphalt driveway?

• Definitely. Call for an estimate to a reputable contractor stating that you have a weathered driveway and would appreciate suggestions on what the best, cost-effective course of action would be. So much depends on the visual inspection of the driveway by the estimator. A weathered asphalt driveway (depending on the needs and wants of the customer) could basically be left alone until budget allows for a new driveway. It could only require crack filling to protect it from the harmful effects of freeze/thaw (if cosmetics are not a high priority but function is), or the driveway could be crack filled and sealcoated to bring it as close to the appearance of a new driveway as possible- again. So much is up to the inspection by the estimator and conversation with the home or business owner.
• The single biggest tip is to never ever have a person/company travelling through the neighborhood offering to service your driveway work on your driveway because they “have extra material and will give you a great price”- whether it be sealcoating or actual paving or patching. Do your homework and check out the contractor ahead of time. Diluted sealcoat or substandard paving materials are the norm with these types of offers, and if and when you have a problem the chance of receiving any support or solutions is a long shot.
• Check your prospective contractor out and see how receptive they are to customer concerns down the line. Concerns and problems happen with any contractor in any line of work, the key is how they are treated once they arise. It’s time well spent.

CLICK HERE: Request A Free Estimate Now for Your Next Paving Project

If you'd like to see examples of some of our finest work and hear from satisfied past customers, visit our gallery or read our testimonials. You can also contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation about your commercial paving project.

With more than 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to commercial driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs.

For more information on Wolf Paving or torequest a free estimate for your next paving project contact one of our two offices. If you live or work in the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

The post When Should You Sealcoat or Repave Your Asphalt Driveway? appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) February 3, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

February 03, 2017 at 01:46PM

Indian Sandstone Patio Paving and Tegula Driveway Paving

Project in Houghton le Spring using Indian Sandstone Patio Paving and Tobermore Tegula Driveway Paving

A recent project for a new patio and driveway using Indian Sandstone Patio Paving and Tobermore Tegula Driveway Paving.

The Patio Paving Project

Indian Sandstone patio paving blocks in grey were used for the project. Finally, to complement the paving we added a border in ebony charcoal, as a result it finished off the patio area beautifully.

Marshalls Indian Sandstone Paving

Marshalls Indian sandstone paving which was used for this project is available in three different natural colour blends. Buff Multi, Brown Multi and Grey Multi which was used at the project in Houghton le Spring.

Furthermore,  circle features are also available with this design of paving if you are looking for something a little different. Therefore these paving slabs are ideal for a patio or garden paving project, with a choice of four natural looking colours homeowners can choose a colour which best suits their property.

Driveway Installation

Tobermore Tegula paving was used for the driveway installation in slate.  In addition, we added a contrasting tegula set border to finish off the overall look and design of the driveway.

Tobermore Tegula Paving

Most noteworthy, Tegula paving offers an aged antique look and appearance, which is very similar to weathered stone. No matter if you have a modern property or a period property, this block paving could be the perfect choice when looking to add a touch of character.

Eight different colours area available Natural, Heather, Golden, Brindle, Charcoal, Bracken and Slate which is featured in this project. These are vibrant long-lasting colours which evoke a timeless style and elegance.

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The post Indian Sandstone Patio Paving and Tegula Driveway Paving appeared first on Driveways, Block Paving, Patios, Newcastle, North East | Driveway Company UK.

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— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) February 3, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk

February 03, 2017 at 05:41AM

Mixed reality” headsets to make life easier on site

Letting fee ban: a round-up

Unfair letting fees have long been a problematic issue and it wasn’t until the the late 2016 Autumn Statement produced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, that the problem was tackled head-on at last.

The statement was given on the 23rd of November 2016 last year in the Parliament (the full version can be found here, on the official government’s website) and the news spread rapidly like wildfire and raised numerous questions among tenants, landlords, letting agents and property portfolio managers alike all across the country.

Will tenants really save hundreds?

In recent years, fees had become so out of control that when the Autumn Statement was publicly released, it resulted in a 13pc share prices drop for Foxtons, one of the most high-market estate agencies in London. On average, tenants pay around £337 so savings could indeed be quite substantial.

What the ban means for letting agents

Some experts believe the fee ban might drive landlords to self-manage their property, potentially signifying great financial loss for letting agents. Are landlords really ready to take the plunge and go solo?

Will renting cost go up?

The ban was probably intended to shift the costs from tenants to landlords. Many people firmly believe that the unintentional consequence of this letting ban might be rising rent costs, as landlords will be looking to make up for the financial loss. Admin fees and commissions might go up but landlords shouldn’t be charged for it without trying to re-negotiate. According to conservative party member Mike Freer, this is exactly what happened in Scotland in 2012 when the ban was implemented. There is another side to the story though, as an independent research commissioned by Shelter actually found that the rise was small and short-lived. Another recent survey conducted by online letting agent Upad (and published on their blog) showed that around forty percent of landlords intend to rise up prices if extra fees are passed onto them to pay. But those numbers don’t reveal facts, only intentions: tenants and landlords will have to wait and see.

In recent years, fees had become so out of control that when the Autumn Statement was publicly released, it resulted in a 13pc share prices drop for Foxtons, one of the most high-market estate agencies in London.

When is the letting fee ban going to be implemented?

A few months after the Autumn Statement, tenants are now growing worried that the government will drop the ban as consultation for the projects has not began yet. It is however due to be held in the Spring, so everything suggest that the ban is indeed going forward even if it might take a little while to be implemented.

The post Letting fee ban: a round-up appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk