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How do I choose a Sealcoating Contractor
Whenever you are planning to hire a sealcoating contractor, it is essential that you do your homework. The satisfaction you receive from your investment will be directly proportional to the integrity of the business providing the service.
If possible, secure the name of three or four potential contractors. Then set an appointment with each for a free estimate (they all give free estimates). A good contractor will do three things during his visit: 1) ask you exactly what you think you want to have done, 2) examine your property carefully and determine from a professional viewpoint what he maintenance steps are advisable, taking measurements to determine his price, and 3) sit down face to face with you, informing you of his findings and explaining in detail his proposed work and what his company has to offer. Many will give a price at this time, some will mail a written estimate, others will do both.
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There are a few things to keep in mind when talking with a contractor. If at all possible, encourage them to provide similar information in their estimates. Contractors may appear to be offering the same services for very different prices or very dissimilar services for the same price. Items may be included in the services that are not written on the estimate or things you assume will be done that will not be. Do as much research as you can stand to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.
Above all else, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Besides the educational value of asking questions, you will get a feel for your contractor’s willingness and openness to work with you. In the process it will help you determine your level of comfort and trust in the particular individual. Is he willing to answer your questions? Does he seem open and honest? Are his responses knowledgeable and professional? And by all means ask for three references from previous customers and a copy of their insurance certificate. Do not hire them until you have seen both.
There are several very seemingly superficial indications of the type of experience you will have with a contractor right at the beginning of your relationship. 1) How long did it take to set up an appointment? 2) Did he/she show up on time for the appointment? 3) How long does it take for him to return your phone calls? What you experience in the beginning is more likely than not the best service you will receive. If there are long delays during this part of the process you can be sure they will only get worse. If on the other hand your contractor returns your calls promptly, shows up on time for the appointment and drops the written estimate in the mail the next day, you can be fairly certain you will receive good service down the road.
When you receive copies of the estimates, references and insurance certificates, by all means call the references. It is also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau as well. They are very happy to provide information to potential customers.
If you have anyone left after you have done your background check, study the estimates side by side to ascertain, as clear an understanding as possible, as to what each is offering and how it compares to your expectations. If one estimate has an item the other does not, call the first contractor and ask them if the item in question is included in their price and if not how much it would be. As much as possible, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. When you have a comfortable understanding of what each contractor is offering, don’t let price alone determine your choice. Choose the person who showed up on time for the estimate and with whom you feel you will be most comfortable working, even if the price is a little higher. If his price is considerably higher than others you have received, don’t be afraid to ask him if we would be willing to take a look at his numbers and see if he could adjust them down a bit. Tell him you really would prefer to work with him but his price is a little high for your budget. He may or may not be able to do so, but if he does that is just icing on the cake!
Sealcoating Season in Indiana is all most here 2012
Sealcoating, the application of a sealant to an asphalt driveway or parking lot will add to the life of your Central Indiana asphalt driveway or parking lot. And, the great thing about having an asphalt driveway or parking lot in Central Indiana is that you can seal coat your asphalt evey two years. A versatile product, asphalt, if properly taken care of will last some 20 to 30 years. An extremely flexible aggregate material that is inexpensive, asphalt is the material of choice for many home owners and business owners.
Asphalt Driveway or Concrete Driveway?
If you are redoing or installing a driveway, you’ll probably be looking at the most popular paving materials on the market for driveways—concrete and asphalt. Both materials have advantages and disadvantages, however, asphalt is undoubtedly the best way to go if an asphalt driveway is appropriate for the landscape look you are going for and your community doesn’t prohibit its use.
Asphalt Driveways and Asphalt Driveway Cost
Asphalt Driveways and Asphalt Driveway Cost As the most common type of outdoor surface, asphalt is durable, easy to repair, and resistant to cracking. Made from petroleum products, an asphalt driveway has elasticity properties that are not compromised during abrupt temperature changes. And, since asphalt is dark in color, dirt and crime are virtually invisible so cleaning of asphalt does not require the use of expensive cleaning procedures, with a simple rinsing taking care of any necessary cleaning of your driveway.
Prompt Asphalt Repair Is Important in the Longevity of an Asphalt Driveway
Sealcoating Can Prevent your Central Indiana Asphalt Driveway or Parking Lot from Deteriorating
Although asphalt is a largely waterproof driveway or parking lot material, it is slightly porous and can deteriorate if not properly seal coated. Chemicals, oils, and water can, over time, seep into the substrate of asphalt and weaken the original bond of the asphalt and cause cracks. Cleaning products, oil leaks, car wash and car polish as well as the rubber on your tires can cause asphalt to deteriorate. And, in addition since asphalt oxidizes when exposed to direct sunlight, heavy expos to direct sunlight will make it brittle if you do not use asphalt sealcoating.
And while a couple of small cracks in your asphalt driveway may seem insignificant, if left unattended they will get bigger and bigger until you do have a problem. Allowing even a couple of tiny cracks to inhabit your asphalt driveway or parking lot allows deteriorating, damaging materials to move deeper and deeper into your asphalt area and result in large fissures that are costly to repair. Asphalt sealcoating is a worthwhile preventative action that can easily be applied during all seasons in Central Indiana and can save you lots of money in future repairs.
What is Asphalt Sealcoating?
A mixture of water, mineral fillers, emulsified asphalt, and other products, sealcoating can easily be applied directly to the surface of your asphalt driveway or parking lot. Just a thin coating of asphalt sealant will protect your asphalt surfaces from the sun, water, oils, chemical, and other environmental events. In addition, asphalt sealant leaves your asphalt or parking lot with an attractive black, smooth finish that is appealing (and easily lined in the case of a parking lot).
The most effective way to maintain your Central Indiana asphalt driveway or parking lot is to apply asphalt sealant every three to five years. Timely application of a good asphalt sealant is an economical, effective means for extending the life of your asphalt and avoiding the expense of replacing your asphalt driveway or parking lot, a costly expense. And as a Central Indiana business owner or home owner, you have the option of not having to wait for warm weather to seal your asphalt surfaces, you can apply asphalt sealcoating any time of the year.
Prompt Asphalt Repair Is Important in the Longevity of an Asphalt Driveway
Prompt Asphalt Repair Is Important in the Longevity of an Asphalt Driveway
Keeping your asphalt repaired is important for the longevity of your asphalt driveway and will eliminate costly repairs if left unattended. With the most common problems of an asphalt repair consisting of the repair of depressions, holes, and cracks, asphalt maintenance is a relatively simple chore to accomplish. One of the most-often-seen damaging conditions for asphalt that requires asphalt repair is the formation of cracks caused by weeds growing in those cracks. By simply ridding your asphalt of those weeds and mending the cracks, you’ll find that your asphalt driveway’s life will be longer.
Tips for Asphalt Repair
Not a difficult task, asphalt repair is important in that not only does prompt repair improve the look, and longevity of your asphalt driveway, but it also saves you money in future large-scale asphalt repair. A few tips on asphalt repair that you can do yourself include:
• Perform asphalt repair during warm weather as the warmth makes asphalt somewhat pliable and easy to work with.
• Check for weed growth and if you have weeds growing in the cracks of your asphalt driveway, pull weeds and hose off the debris to clean all cracks and holes.
• When patching asphalt, prime all holes and cracks with a liquid asphalt coating to secure the bond between a patch and the driveway.
• To deter weed growth, apply weed killer to asphalt cracks.
• Asphalt cracks can be repaired with rubberized asphalt fillers. These are available in most hardware stores and you can use a caulk gun to file asphalt holes and cracks.
• Use rubberized asphalt filler for cracks that are ¼ deep. For deeper cracks, use sand. And, if the asphalt crack is more than 2 ¾ inches wide or deep, fill it with sand and then seal with rubberized asphalt filler.
• For asphalt holes (those more than ½ inch), fill them with cold-press compounds, press down and tamp it.
• Depressions create very uneven areas in asphalt driveways. Cause by settling, asphalt depressions can be repaired by cleaning, priming and coating. Fill depressions with cold-patch asphalt, level the area and seal.
• For all asphalt repairs use an asphalt sealer over the asphalt repair area. While you can apply an asphalt sealer immediately after repair, most sealers will take a number of days to dry. Follow the instructions on the asphalt sealer product you purchase given by the asphalt sealer manufacturer.
Asphalt Repair is Important for the Longevity of Your Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt repair is an easy fix with minimum problems that occur during the repair. However, if your asphalt driveway is badly damaged or completely destroyed, you might want to consider the services of a professional who has the equipment and know-how to repair your asphalt. Just remember that a well-maintained asphalt driveway will save you money and time in the long run.
Should I be concerned about cracks in my Asphalt?
YES! Cracks in asphalt are a sign your driveway or parking area is need of attention. A crack, often caused by changes in temperature and weather conditions, provides an opening for chemicals and water to work their way into the substrate of the asphalt allowing further deterioration beneath the surface. This in turn will cause the formation of larger cracks and holes. This not only leads to a bigger expense down the road when it comes time to sealcoat, but decreases the life span of your paved area. Proper maintenance of an asphalt driveway or parking lot requires prompt repair of cracks.There are different kinds of cracks. Single line cracks are the easiest to fix. A hairline crack, less than ¼ inches, does not need to be repaired separately but can be filled with sealant. A crack ¼ inches to 2 inches in size should be fixed with a special crack filler and sealer. Anything larger is actually considered a pot hole and should be treated as such.
Some cracked areas have a “chicken wire” pattern. These areas are more severe and indicate that the substrate has been damaged and is considered a pot hole. If they have not sunk down a bit already, they will in time. These areas again require the attention of a professional.
Before beginning doing the repair work yourself, it may be helpful to contact your local Sealcoating Professional for an estimate. Having the cracks and holes repaired professionally may save you time and money in the long run. Incorrectly repaired cracks will not properly protect your asphalt from further deterioration.http://www.sealpros.co
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