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NVM Paving & Concrete, Inc.

Northern Virginia Paving Company

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What Are The Main Causes of Potholes?

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If you are a commercial property manager, potholes are probably one of your biggest headaches. They cause road damage and make it difficult for customers to navigate. They were also expected to cost American businesses $240 billion by the end of 2022.

But what causes potholes, and how can they be prevented? This quick guide will examine the main causes behind those pesky potholes so that you can better understand why they appear in the first place and, more importantly, how to avoid them in the future.

What Are Potholes?

Potholes are an, unfortunately, all too common sight on commercial properties. Before we discuss what causes potholes, it is important to understand what they are so you know what to look for. They can appear seemingly out of nowhere and quickly turn a smooth drive into a pock-marked journey.

While potholes look like cracks in asphalt, they are quite different; pothole edges tend to be jagged, whereas crack edges are usually somewhat smooth.

Overall, potholes can be extremely dangerous as they can cause serious damage to a vehicle if not avoided. As a commercial property manager or facility manager, it is important to understand they could also lead to expensive legal battles if they cause enough damage.

What Causes Potholes?

There are a few main causes of potholes. In general, they occur when water seeps into the pavement of roads and freezes. As the ice expands, it cracks and breaks apart pieces of asphalt. When cars continue to drive over potholes, they become bigger and can seriously damage drivers who do not notice them in time.

Weakened Pavement

Weakened pavement is one of the key causes of potholes. After all, groundwater cannot get inside if the pavement is strong and sealed properly. So, it is important to ensure your roads are properly maintained.

Cracks and other damage to pavement can be a sign that weakened pavement is leading to future pothole problems. If left untreated, weakened pavement can worsen until it leads to a full-fledged pothole.

Water

As mentioned above, when melted ice and frozen water come into contact with roads and highways, it has a surprisingly damaging effect.

As the melted ice mixes with dirt, rocks, and other debris on the asphalt surface, it creates opportunities for air and moisture to reach the foundation layers of the pavement. This causes significant damage to those lower layers. Consider the freezing point of water and pay special attention to your commercial pavement when the weather gets cold.

Traffic

The vibration from traffic, especially from traffic involving heavy vehicles like trucks, affects the quality of pavement and asphalt, making it unable to support traffic in the long run. Over time, these constant vibrations cause cracks in the surface. Eventually, they develop into potholes as pieces of them chip away.

Additionally, when cars drive over pre-existing potholes, they can get bigger or cause more damage by further chipping away at the surface around them.

Asphalt Repair & Management

Understanding what causes potholes is the first step. Next, you will want to take measures to prevent them from forming in the first place. Fortunately, potholes do not have to be unavoidable with proper maintenance.

NVM Paving is dedicated to delivering superior asphalt repair and maintenance. When you contact us for regular maintenance, you will be helping to extend the life of your pavement and save yourself money in the future. Do not let potholes be an issue; contact us now and ensure a long-lasting asphalt surface.

Is Your Parking Lot Striping ADA Compliant?

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ADA stands for the Americans With Disabilities Act. It is designed to protect people with disabilities in various aspects of life. ADA-compliant parking lot striping is one of the areas that the act monitors and regulates.

For example, have you ever pulled up to an area that had all the markings of a parking lot, but something did not quite seem right? The spaces were too small, or it was not easy to tell which was the accessible spot. A lack of proper ADA-compliant striping could cause these situations.

As a commercial property or facility manager, it is important that you understand how important customer and employee accessibility is. Not only that, but it is your responsibility to ensure your property is compliant.

What Are ADA Standards?

ADA standards for parking lots refer to the requirements set out by the ADA Accessibility Guidelines. These guidelines ensure that parking lots can accommodate people with disabilities so they have equal access to public spaces. This includes the following:

  • Outlining dimensions for accessible parking spaces
  • Providing information about access aisles, ramps, and signage
  • Improving access to any facility entrance

Moreover, the ADA requires that there must be a certain number of handicapped parking spaces per 1,000 sq ft of every parking area. Do not think it is that big of a deal? Think again. Most cities will not issue operating permits to the parking lot or property until it complies with ADA standards.

Adhering to ADA standards for parking lots ensures that everyone in the community is safe when traveling and living within shared public spaces. Everybody deserves to be able to access public spaces easily.

ADA Compliant Parking Lot Striping

As a commercial property manager, ADA compliance is a must. What are you responsible for? You are responsible for ensuring that all ADA standards are met and taken into consideration in the design and upkeep of the parking lot surface.

Any parking spaces set aside for ADA-accessible vehicles must also have the following:

  • Be clearly marked by proper parking lot striping
  • Have an accessible route to the building’s entrance
  • Offer easy access for disabled persons

Furthermore, it’s important that you stay abreast of current ADA compliance regulations. Staying ahead of any changes will ensure your commercial property has ADA-compliant parking lot striping.

Should You Paint Your Parking Lot?

What if you find that your parking lot is not ADA-compliant? Should you do a DIY paint job and paint the lot yourself? We do not recommend doing so. Hire a specialist for striping. This is because the rules concerning what needs to be done for ADA compliance can be complex, and it is difficult for non-experts to stay up-to-date with them.

Likewise, specialists know exactly how and where to apply the paint to meet the guidelines. Additionally, they take full responsibility for following every law and regulation related to painting parking areas. With their guidance, you will rest assured your facilities comply with the latest ADA regulations.

Parking Lot Restriping Services

Are you in need of ADA-compliant parking lot striping services? At NVM, parking lot striping is not just one of our services. It is what we specialize in.

Whether you need parking lot striping for commercial property or pavement, our team of expert professionals will ensure your parking lot is safe and compliant with local and federal regulations. Trust us to deliver parking lot striping services that exceed expectations, and contact us today!

How To Identify Different Types of Cracks in Asphalt Pavement

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Did you know that more than 40% of America’s road system is in poor or mediocre condition?

Despite the fact that asphalt pavement is a durable and long-lasting material, it will still develop cracks over time. These cracks can be unsightly and can even cause further damage if you do not identify and treat them.

Fortunately, there are methods you can use to identify different types of cracks in asphalt pavement. To make things easier for you, we have written a short guide. Keep reading if you want to find out more.

Types of Asphalt Cracks in Asphalt Pavement

If you want to identify the different types of asphalt pavement cracks, you will first need to familiarize yourself with the different types of cracks. Here are several of the most common types that you should know about.

Block Cracking

These interconnected cracks resemble the shape of an alligator’s skin. They are usually caused by a failure in the subgrade or a lack of support beneath the asphalt surface.

Edge Cracking

This type of crack forms along the edges of the pavement. Edge cracking is caused by a lack of support at the edges of the pavement, or by heavy traffic and heavy vehicles.

Transverse Cracking

Traverse cracking runs perpendicular to the centerline of the pavement. These cracks are typically caused by repeated loading and unloading of the pavement.

Reflection Cracking

These cracks form when somebody lays an asphalt surface over a concrete surface that already has cracks. Reflection cracks will develop if the underlying concrete moves.

Slippage Cracking

Slippage cracking is caused by a lack of bonding between the asphalt surface and the underlying layer. A surface might develop these cracks if you have not been properly maintaining it.

How to Identify Cracks in Asphalt Pavement

It is essential to identify the cracks in the pavement, especially if you plan on resurfacing a parking lot. There are several ways to do this. One of the most common ways is to simply look for them.

You should also look for signs of deterioration. For example, if the surface of the pavement is uneven or has become rough and bumpy, this could be an indication of cracks beneath the surface.

Another way to identify cracks in asphalt pavement is to look for signs of water damage. Cracks in the pavement can allow water to penetrate beneath the surface. This can lead to further damage.

If you notice water pooling on the surface of the pavement or if the surface is discolored, this could be an indication of cracks.

Know How to Identify Asphalt Pavement Cracks

If you are a commercial property or facility manager, it is essential to know how to identify different types of cracks in asphalt pavement. If you identify asphalt cracks, you’ll need to repair them as soon as possible.

Do you need help identifying and repairing asphalt pavement cracks on your commercial property? If so, keep in mind that we can help you. Don’t hesitate to contact us to get started today!

Why Your Property Should Get Regular Concrete Maintenance

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Projections show that the global concrete restoration market will reach a size of $26.4 billion by 2030.

Concrete floors are common all over the world, serving as the foundation for all kinds of commercial buildings. Despite how durable concrete is, it still degrades with time. Proper concrete maintenance is crucial to ensure these floors remain in a good state.

For some of the key benefits regular of concrete maintenance, keep reading.

Increased Lifespan

Concrete can last a long time, but not forever. Regular maintenance will maximize the lifespan of any concrete flooring, which means less time and money spent on repairs. This is especially crucial for businesses, as large repairs could cause a lot of downtime, leading to a loss in profits.

Cracks and other damage will occur with time, but a professional concrete maintenance company can help fix these before they develop into larger issues. Leaving damage untreated will likely lead to it becoming worse, and costing more to get fixed.

Improved Safety

Without proper maintenance, concrete may lose its strength. This can be a safety concern for any structures that are built on top of concrete.

Structural failures of commercial properties can result in serious injury or even death, so this is something you need to avoid. By maintaining concrete on your property, you’ll be able to keep things as safe as possible for your employees.

To further improve safety in a workplace, you can use concrete coatings. These can provide a non-slip surface, helping to reduce the risk of injury (along with several other benefits).

Less Concrete Repair

Concrete problems need to be repaired, which can be costly and time-consuming. It may also interfere with business operations. With proper maintenance, there will be less need for repairs to be done.

Small chips and cracks, for example, can be easily amended through regular maintenance. When left, however, these will likely grow, and it will take much more work to get things set right. Keeping your concrete in good condition will help you avoid these big repair jobs.

Better Appearance

If concrete is not maintained, it will not be long before its poor state is clearly visible. If it is well maintained, however, it will look significantly better. This can be incredibly crucial if you want to maintain a good appearance for potential customers or clients who might visit your business.

Easier Cleaning

Typical damage that occurs to concrete can make it harder to clean. Chips and cracks will allow dirt to gather quickly, and it is not always easy to get rid of. This simply adds to the work needed to keep your building looking good.

If your concrete is in good condition, however, it will be much easier to keep clean. This lends towards the improved appearance as mentioned above, and less manpower will be needed whenever the concrete is cleaned.

Professional Concrete Maintenance

Concrete maintenance might not seem like the most vital thing your business needs, but without it, you will quickly notice issues occurring as the condition of your concrete floors degrades.

NVM Paving & Concrete provides professional concrete and asphalt services throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. To find out more about what we offer, click here to contact us today.

A Guide on Maintaining Your Commercial Paving

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After you spend a lot of money on a commercial property, the last thing that you want to do is forgo the maintenance and be even more out of money a few years down the road. That is why learning more about how to maintain your commercial paving is extremely important.

Not all paving is created equal, so knowing the right commercial paving tips can come in handy.

If you are ready to save money and keep your property looking nice, read on for more about commercial pavement maintenance.

Get Regular Inspections

If you want to ensure that your pavement is in good condition year-round, you should make sure that you are getting regular inspections. As much as you could look at the pavement, you are not an expert in the field most likely, which means that you do not know exactly what you were looking for.

A professional is able to look much more closely and understand what is going on with your commercial pavement to maintain it.

Keep It Clean

This may seem self-explanatory, but if you do not keep your pavement clean, you are going to need to replace it much sooner. If your pavement becomes dirty or stained it can hurt the lifespan pavement.

This is because in the dirt, the stains, or the grime that you notice on the pavement there may be chemicals that can slowly degrade the pavement itself.

However, it is not as easy as you may think to keep pavement clean. Hiring professionals is the best way to go about it to ensure optimal cleaning.

Do Not Wait on Repairs

It can be tempting to put other priorities first when you know that you need to repair the pavement. However, if you wait to do repairs, the pavement may be worse off.

The last thing you probably want to deal with is more repairs and fixes (and more money out of pocket) if you wait to repair your pavement longer than you should.

Always Remove Snow

If you live in a snowy area, it is important that you remove snow before it causes damage. Removing snow is vital in order to maintain the pavement. Not to mention, if you do not remove it, your business is not going to be accessible or safe.

Taking Care of Your Commercial Paving

While there are many things that you need to take care of at your business, that outside of your business is just as important as what goes on inside. That means that you need to take care of your commercial paving. With these tips, you know exactly what you need to do to make your pavement last as long as possible.

If you want to hire a professional for the maintenance of your pavement, you can contact us here today. At NVM Paving & Concrete, we want to ensure that you have the best-maintained pavement around.

Safe Ways for Pavement Deicing

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According to the CDC, over 800,000 people visit the hospital due to a slip and fall injury each year. Maryland and Virginia’s winters compound this risk for residents throughout their daily lives. Business owners must accept liability when a slip and fall injury happens on commercial property.

Commercial property and facility managers are responsible for keeping their pavements safe and ice-free during winter. Pavement deicing is essential to ensure that customers and employees can access your premises without slipping or falling on icy surfaces.

But how should you go about deicing your pavement this winter? This blog post will discuss the different methods for safely deicing your pavement this winter.

Keep reading to learn more about the safest, most reliable ways to keep your pavement ice-free.

Why Pavement Deicing is Necessary

Snow and ice are injuries waiting to happen. You do not want to become responsible for hurting another person. But personal safety goes beyond empathy as it also impacts your business.

For example, injured workers can not work, and injured customers stay home. Plus, if a customer slips and falls on your commercial property, you may lose their business for good.

Finally, as a Virginian commercial business, you are subject to premises liability laws. Neglecting to take pavement deicing measures in the winter opens you up to a lawsuit. So, pavement deicing is more than the safe thing to do– it is the legal thing to do.

Rock Salt or Ice Melt

Rock salt and ice melt are effective pavement maintenance methods among facility managers. Rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, is a standard solution for melting ice on the pavement.

Rock salt is available in larger chunks and is cheaper than other deicing solutions. But it can damage pavement if not used properly.

On the other hand, ice melt is a blend of either calcium chloride or magnesium chloride mixed with sodium chloride in pellet form. It is a more expensive solution but will melt ice faster than rock salt and does not cause pavement damage.

Ice melt is often the preferred option for deicing pavement after a winter storm. It works faster at melting ice and snow, making it easier for property managers to clear parking lots or walkways.

Abrasive Ice Covering

Abrasive coverings are much more cost-effective than rock salt yet still provide the necessary traction to prevent accidents from occurring. An alternative to salt and rock salt is to use an abrasive covering, such as:

  • Kitty litter
  • Sand
  • Wood shavings
  • Sawdust

These materials help melt the ice while providing a non-slip surface for employees and customers walking on the pavement. After winter storms or when clearing snow, these materials are ideal for preventing slips and fall injuries. They also have a lower environmental impact than chemical deicing options.

Paving and Concrete Companies in Virginia

The best way to take care of your employees and customers this winter is to give them safe walkways. Pavement deicing is an essential step in this process. But safe walkways begin with well-maintained pavement.

NVM paving is the premiere paving and concrete company in Virginia, from new paving to maintenance service. Our pavement experts can give you the advice you need to keep your walkways safe this winter. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.