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NVM Paving & Concrete, Inc.

Northern Virginia Paving Company

Asphalt & Concrete

How the Chesapeake Bay Weather Impacts Your Parking Lot

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All types of weather can have a negative impact on infrastructure, specifically parking lots. However, it’s the variance between different types of weather that can cause the most significant damage to asphalt or concrete roads and parking lots. The relatively quick change from scorching summer days to freezing winter nights can accelerate parking lot damages. Coastal areas along the Atlantic also have their own unique concerns when it comes to the lifespan of a parking lot. There are a few ways that the Chesapeake Bay weather can impact your parking lot.

Cracking

Cracking is the most common type of weather-related damage to parking lots. Cracking is especially prevalent in areas that experience both hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Cracks will appear in asphalt when water gets inside of the asphalt and then freezes when temperatures drop. Because water expands when it freezes smaller cracks will become larger.

Potholes

Similar to cracking, potholes can be created when there is contraction and expansion of water that turns to ice. This is accelerated when there are rapid changes in weather. One of the primary differences between cracks and potholes is the rate at which potholes can worsen if not repaired quickly.

Faded Markings

Parking lot markings will fade over time; it is inevitable. However, prolonged exposure to extreme sun in the hot summer months will hasten this occurrence.

Saltwater Deterioration

While asphalt isn’t impacted by saltwater, concrete is. This is because the bonds used in concrete are different than asphalt, and salt can break down the concrete bonds over time. If you have a concrete parking lot, the saltwater that constantly blows in from the ocean may cause eventual degradation.

The Chesapeake weather will impact your parking lot, but NVM Paving & Concrete helps with repairs, maintenance and seal coating to help prolong its life for as long as possible. Give us a call at 703-423-0471 or send an email to contact@nvmpaving.net to find out more about our services.

6 Steps To Take Before Concrete Paving

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Effective and long-lasting concrete paving depends on proper preparation. To ensure your commercial lot is paved in a way that meets your expectations, discuss preparation strategies with your contractor. There are at least six steps a contractor should take before concrete paving begins:

1.    State a Start Date

Concrete planning, preparation, and paving require multiple days. Discuss a start date with the contractor so you know when the area will not be accessible. This allows you to make alternative access arrangements for any employees and customers in advance.

2.    Define Project Outline

Crew members will delineate the physical area that is being paved or repaired. It is important that the squared edges meet your specifications while also appearing neat and professional. 

3.    Evaluate Former Surface

Before initiating new paving on a commercial lot, the contractor must evaluate the condition of the old surface. Sometimes it is possible to treat and pave over former concrete, while in other cases asphalt must be broken up and removed.

4.    Construct Base Layer

Once the project plan is in place and the former surface is addressed, it is possible to create the base pavement layer. This includes cutting into the existing surface and placing up to 8 inches of project specific crushed base material, such as crushed stone or concrete.

5.    Establish a Drainage System

When constructing the drainage system, the finished grade, the placement of forms and the strength of the base must be considered. This is important to prevent future water damages and flooding problems.

6.    Reinforce With Steel

The strength and effectiveness of pavement is a combination of proper planning, a good base layer and a grid reinforcing steel. Such steel is important to protect pavement against high levels of tension and weight that the pavement will experience in the future.

Contractors at NVM Paving and Concrete are ready to evaluate a potential project on site or to discuss questions and ideas. Contact us today either by calling 703-423-0471 or sending an email.

Picking a Snow Removal Company for Your Commercial Lot

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Whether it is normal for you to have heavy winters or are preparing for the next Polar Vortex, it is important to have a snow removal strategy that keeps your commercial lot safe and accessible. One way to prepare for the winter season is to select a reliable snow removal company. It is important to use a company that both properly takes away the snow and helps prevent potential winter damages to the pavement. When choosing a snow removal company for your commercial lot, consider two questions:

1. How Much Experience Does the Company Have?

A company with a high level of experience knows how to plan for heavy winter storms in an efficient and safe way. Does the company have experience in your locality? Such companies may be more familiar with local snow removal policies and practices. Consider asking neighboring companies for referrals on snow removal companies. Working with an experienced organization in a local area helps shape a convenient snow removal plan for everyone involved.

2. How Does the Company Compare to the Competition?

Companies may vary in the way they charge for snow removal, for example, some may charge per hour while others have a season-based approach. Another aspect to compare is what additional services the snow removal company offers. Snow removal is not the only care your commercial lot requires. In the winter, deicing is an important method for keeping the lot safe. Additionally, companies such as NVM Paving and Concrete can care for the lot over consecutive winters, and when warm weather arrives, repair potholes and cracks that developed during the cold season.

Snow removal runs the risk of damaging surfaces. Paying for reliable services is a way to help you relax when the next snow storm arrives while also protecting against expensive damages in the future. Contact NVM Paving and Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or sending an email to contact@nvmpaving.net today to discuss emergency snow removal services and management plan options.

3 Ways Snow Plows Impact Pavement Lots

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It is necessary to plow commercial pavement lots during the winter season to allow employees and customers access to a facility. Being aware of how snow plows impact pavement lots creates a discussion with your snow plow removal company about damage prevention measures. Three potential ways snow plows damage pavement lots include the following:

1.    Removal of Top Asphalt Layer

When the blades of a snowplow are too low, they may scrape against the top of a pavement lot and remove the upper layer. This may occur on pavement lots with variations in grade surface and when a plow is used without some form of rubber protection on the blade. The loss of the top layer means the removal of important surface sealing applications, making the damaged lot more vulnerable to crack formation throughout the winter.

2.    Damage to Curbs and Speed Bumps

To organize traffic and general vehicle flow, it is common to use speed bumps and other concrete structures. An inexperienced snowplow driver may not notice such barriers or even an experienced snowplow driver may accidentally damage these obstacles with snow conditions making it challenging to see. To avoid this issue, work with a snow plow company familiar with your lot and use bright colors to mark barriers in the winter time.

3.    Encourage Potential Future Damages

When a snow plow runs over rocks and other debris during regular plow sessions, the overall weight may push the small debris into the asphalt and damage the surface. This may seem minor at first. However, small cracks can become inconvenient damages such as potholes due to water melting and re-freezing throughout the season.

Winter can be a brutal season for infrastructure. This includes pavement lots that are maintained by snow plows. It is possible to prevent the impact pavement lots take toward some of these damages with proper seal technology and intentional snow plow management strategies. Contact NVM Paving and Concrete today by calling 703-423-0471 or sending an email to NVM Paving & Concreteto discuss emergency response and seasonal approach snow removal plans.

Why Property Managers Should Hire a Snow Removal Company

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Any property manager would do well to invest in a snow removal company during winter. When too much snow builds up directly outside the business or in the parking lot, people will have trouble entering your business. It will be incredibly unsafe, and you may be liable for any injuries or damage. Luckily, there are plenty of options in your area to ensure all your customers and clients remain safe.

It Will Improve Your Property

 A build-up of snow can significantly damage your property. The landscaping will certainly take a hit, and you will probably need to invest heavily once spring comes around to make grass and flowers grow. Snow can also damage the building’s exterior and damage the parking lot’s asphalt. If you try to remove the snow yourself, it is possible you will do more harm than good by scraping at the asphalt. The professionals know how to be cautious, so you can expect the snow to be gone without any negative side effects.

Professionals Have the Proper Tools

 You may think you can save money by removing snow on your own. However, you will quickly learn you need a lot of different tools to adequately remove snow. In many cases, a simple snow shovel will not be enough. A professional snow removal company already has all the tools necessary to make your property picture-perfect once again.

They Will Finish the Job Promptly

You already have so much to do for your business and property. Removing snow is another hassle, and you will need to arrive at the property well before it opens to clear the snow. When you hire professionals, you ensure the job gets completed before the doors have to open. This allows you to sleep in a little longer with peace of mind.

NVM Paving & Concrete offers efficient snow removal so that you have one less thing on your plate. Call us today at 301-355-2079 if you are tired of having too much snow around your property.

Why Asphalt Is the Most Ideal Paving Material

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When constructing pavement, one of the many important factors to consider is what material you should use. There are various options, but from an environmental and practical standpoint, asphalt is the ideal paving material due to its recyclability and its low-emission impact.

Asphalt Is Greatly Reusable

Up to 99 percent of all asphalt that you see on the road today is made from recycled materials. After old or damaged asphalt has been taken off the road, it can be reworked quickly and put back into use without many additional ingredients. Items from other industries, such as rubber and glass, can also be incorporated into asphalt. That means that with this mixture of old pavement and other recycled goods, very few new materials have to be manufactured to lay down new pavement and this is one of the reasons asphalt is the ideal paving material.

Lower Emissions Result From Asphalt Use

Some construction projects require concrete which can take a while to set and cannot be used for some time. This is not ideal for busy roads that need to be used daily by many people since construction could create massive traffic problems, resulting in drivers idling for long periods of time. Asphalt can alleviate this because once it has cooled, it can be put into use, allowing traffic to flow as usual and reduce emissions from idling vehicles. In the production of asphalt itself, factories have been able to decrease emissions by almost 97 percent even while manufacturing increased 250 percent.

Other Environmental Benefits Come With Asphalt

Asphalt has been shown not to leach away nutrients in the soil, so it has very little impact on the environment once it is laid down. In addition, when being repaired, only the top layer of asphalt needs to be replaced, which reduces the energy that would otherwise come with having to replace the entire pavement.

NVM Paving & Concrete provides asphalt construction and maintenance to keep your pavement working as it should. Schedule a free estimate for your next project by calling us today at 703-426-2700!

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