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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