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Technology improves our lives in many ways, from smart homes and cars to more efficient heating and cooling systems. The same is true when it comes to the quality of your parking lot. It is no exaggeration to say that advances in technology have changed the way we pave, offering better results and faster completion times. At NVM Paving & Concrete, we embrace changes that allow us to serve our customers better.

For example, laser technology is useful in determining the proper slope and grade of a site. Precision measurements make sure the parking lot drains properly and eliminates areas of standing water. This method beats the old way of using a site glass or transit in connection with a plum-bob and linker rod.

Advances in Removal and Tear Off

Removing outdated asphalt used to require a walk-behind road saw, equipped with a diamond blade, to cut up the old surface. Now, new hydraulic technology enables teams to use a roadhog to cut divisions in the asphalt. The benefits of this approach are numerous:

• Quicker removal times
• More efficient use of work crews
• Greater savings on the overall project

Our customers enjoy the advantages of savings and a shorter time frame from start to finish. It also shortens any disruptions during business hours.

Improvements in Grade and Slope Controls

Advanced equipment such as a motor grader allows operators to follow established grade grids. This version is more accurate than older graders and compacters that were not able to test grade and slope. The result of this technological advancement is better drainage for asphalt parking and the prevention of uneven areas that could weaken asphalt.

Your commercial property deserves the best treatment possible. At NVM Paving & Concrete, we are always looking for ways to improve our services in the Baltimore area. Call us today at 703-426-2700

While there are many ways to ensure traffic safety in a commercial lot, one of the best additions is to limit excessive speed with speed bumps or humps. These installations are often added at pedestrian crossings or other high-traffic areas.  

Speed bumps and humps are vital elements of property safety, but they cannot be installed willy-nilly. Every state, including Maryland and the DC area, has specific guidelines and regulations for traffic installations. Therefore, before contacting a professional to install a speed bump on your commercial property, make sure you are aware of the requirements of these safety features. 

Differences Between a Bump and Hump

While adding a speed bump or hump will help reduce driver speed, each device will affect the speed in different ways. Understanding how you want to control speed will help you determine whether a speed bump or hump is required. 

A speed bump is used to reduce a vehicle’s speed dramatically. The height of the bump plays a role in speed reduction. Because bumps are effective for quick speed reductions, they are best installed in high-foot traffic areas, like pedestrian crossings. 

Speed humps do not work as quickly as bumps and are less of a shock to the driver. Humps work by slowly rocking the vehicle over the obstacle. Commercial parking lots do not always require humps, but if a complex is large enough, it can mimic a residential area, where humps are most effective. 

Permanent Installation or Temporary Deterrent?

What does your facility need: a permanent installation or a temporary deterrent? If permanence is what you are after, look into asphalt speed bumps and humps. If a temporary fix is all you’re after, check out our rubber options. 

Whatever your speed bump or hump needs, NVM Paving & Concrete has you covered. Contact us today at 703-426-2700 to discuss regulatory requirements and parking lot control options. 

Repave Your Parking Lot

You know that you need to repave your parking lot but feel unsure about when to schedule this kind of service. You may want to choose your least busy season; however, the weather is a crucial factor during asphalt paving. At NVM Paving and Concrete, we can help you understand the circumstances that result in a solid asphalt surface.

Should You Repave During the Winter?

Winter may be one of the slower seasons for many businesses. Property managers may want to schedule repaving at this time because it won’t affect daily operations. However, winter weather is not always ideal for repaving. When the temperature is less than 50 degrees, the cold air can cool down the asphalt. This can result in a surface that is brittle and can crack easily. It can also cause the asphalt to harden too fast, making it difficult for professionals to press and roll it. Both of these can lead to additional repairs down the road and cost your business more money.

When Is a Better Time to Repave?

You may prefer to avoid parking lot maintenance during the spring and summer, as closing the lot may affect your ability to do business. However, these seasons are the preferred times to lay down new asphalt. At NVM Paving and Concrete, we usually recommend that our customers repave their parking lot when the temperature is around 70 degrees. This ensures that the asphalt retains the necessary temperature when we lay it down and allows us to work with it more smoothly. However, it is also important to make sure that it is not too hot to repave the lot. Asphalt usually does not set when the temperature is higher than 90 degrees.

If you are ready to talk to someone about repaving your parking lot, call NVM Paving and Concrete at 703-423-0471. We can help you determine the best time to lay down new asphalt.

Parking Lot Design Tips

When it comes to your business, your customer’s first impression begins in the parking lot. If you want happy customers, then you need to have an efficient and well-designed parking lot. How can you ensure that your lot is designed intelligently? At NVM Paving & Concrete, we understand how to create custom layouts that suit your business needs.

How To Determine Space Number

When considering a parking lot layout, you need precise measurements. In addition, you need to know the rate of traffic at the site. Once you know the dimensions of the lot and the size of the parking lots, you can begin to plan the layout. Keep in mind that about nine feet in width and 18 feet in length are enough space for most vehicles. Additionally, you need to think about exits, entrances, code requirements, and the environment.

How To Create Easy, Safe Parking

To keep your lot safe, you need to think about parking angles. There needs to be clear signs and lighting so that clients feel safe. You also need to make sure that you have enough space for accessible parking spaces. Accessible spots should be at least eight feet wide for standard cars and 11 feet wide for vans.

How To Please Guests

If you want to stand out against your competition, your parking lot should be attractive. We don’t have to offer you a drab parking lot. We can lay concrete in different shapes and colors while keeping the layout practical.

In addition, to curb appeal, you need to keep in mind the guests who will cross your parking lot. Parking lots are not solely for drivers. They are for pedestrians too. You need a layout that allows drivers and pedestrians to coexist with no injuries or accidents.

At NVM Paving & Concrete, we serve industrial and commercial buildings. For a parking lot layout that suits your business, call 703-423-0471 or email us today!

Is Your Property Accessible To All?

In order to provide service to all of your customers, your business has to comply with the guidelines laid out by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Following these guidelines is about more than just compliance, it shows your customers that you care about the safety and accessibility of everyone who visits your property. At NVM Paving and Concrete, we can make sure that your company meets all these requirements.

Pay Attention to the Ramp Landings

Customers with disabilities usually need to use a ramp to enter your building. At the top and bottom of the ramp, you need to have a landing. If your ramp has many sections, you also need a landing between each one. This landing has to have enough space for people to maneuver a wheelchair or a walker. The ADA recommends that you make these landings 60 by 60 inches. This gives people the space they need to turn onto new sections of the ramp.

Make Sure the Slope is Right

If your ramp is too steep, it will be difficult for people with disabilities to use it. You should consider the length of your ramp to determine the angle of incline. The ADA suggests that for every 12 feet of the ramp, the surface should rise by one foot at most. At NVM, we can help you evaluate your site to determine how long your ramp should be and what kind of incline you need. 

Include Tactile Warnings

You also need to make sure that your site contains tactile warnings. These are the raised domes that you usually see in front of ramps. Some of the people who frequent your business may have a vision impairment that prevents them from seeing where the curb ends. Tactile warnings help signal that people are leaving one surface and entering a new one. We can show you where these need to go to keep all of your customers safe.

If you are ready to install new paving for your business, contact the experts at NVM Paving and Concrete.