April Showers Are Coming. Is Your Driveway Ready?

We've all heard the saying – April showers bring may flowers. But if your home doesn't have adequate drainage, they could also bring flooding, water damage, and the premature deterioration of your asphalt driveway.

Spring is a little late to arrive to the Northeast, but it will be here before you know it, and so will the rainstorms. When the weather gets wet, you want to know that your home and yard are protected from the dangers of improper draining.

Drainage issues can be caused by a variety of problems, both natural and man-made. We often come across poorly-paved driveways with improper pitches which inadvertently funnel water into valuable areas of people's yards or basements. An example of a natural problem is a slope or hill on your property which wasn't accounted for at the time the home was built – this issue is particularly common in older homes.

If you notice water puddling and pooling on your driveway every time it rains, it could be a warning sign for potentially serious problems ahead. New York and Connecticut residents can count on Roccie's Asphalt to craft a drainage solution that works for their needs. Our professional consultants will arrive at your home, carefully analyze your entire drainage area, and present a custom-made solution specific to your property.

Spring is coming fast – don't wait until it's too late! Protect your home against flooding and other drainage issues, call Roccie's Asphalt today at 1-888-88ROCCIES.

Spring Cleaning for Your Brick Patio

We are almost a full week into spring, and it looks like Mother Nature finally got the memo. The warmer weather might have you daydreaming of spending all day lounging on your backyard patio, but you have a little bit of work to do first.

If you have looked at your patio recently, you may have noticed that it doesn't look the same as it did last autumn. That's because over the winter it collected unsightly stains from grime, decaying leaves and moss – but don't worry. With a little bit of work, you can restore your patio to looking like new, so you can rest easy and enjoy it all summer long.

Here is a good spring cleaning routine for your patio:

• Remove all tables, chairs, umbrellas, and other furniture or fixtures from your patio.
• Closely examine the surface for weeds. Pull them out from the root to ensure they don't grow back quickly, or use a weed-killer if you can't get to the base of the plant.
• Sweep the patio with a push broom. Debris such as soil or leaves may not only stain the surface, but they can cause uneven fading by blocking sunlight.
• Thoroughly wash the patio to remove the tough stains and dirt that sweeping can't get out. You can either scrub the surface with a bleach solution using a stiff-bristled brush, or rent a power washer for the day.
• If you decide to use a power washer, try not to spray high pressure water directly into the space between the stone work or bricks (known as the “joint”). Doing so may remove the filler, which could lead to a loosening of the surface.
• After washing, if there are still undesirable spots, look to purchase stain removers specifically made for masonry clean up.  
• If the joint is still holding moss use a small screw driver to remove the organic matter and replace any lost filler with sand or stone dust.
• Consider applying a masonry grade sealcoat to your patio to preserve its look for years to come. Make sure the sealer you purchase is correct for your patio’s type of surface: i.e. stone, brick, flagstone, concrete pavers.

Since 1956, Connecticut residents have trusted Roccie's for all of their paving and masonry needs. Whether you need an asphalt driveway, patio, or drainage solutions call us today for a free quote at 1-888-88ROCCIES.

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How to Choose the Right Paving Contractor

Not all contractors are created equal. Paving companies come in all shapes and sizes and provide different levels of quality in their work. If you are considering a new driveway or parking lot for your home or business, you will likely have a variety of contractors in your area to choose from – read the tips below to make sure you choose the right one. 

• Use your resources. In this day and age, there is a wealth of information available at our fingertips. When searching for a paving contractor, turn to online resources such as Angie's List and the Better Business Bureau to help find reputable businesses in your area.
  
  
• Ask for a portfolio. Asking a potential company for their portfolio is a great way to judge the quality of their work for yourself. An experienced contractor should be more than happy to show off their best work – in fact, many paving companies keep a gallery on their website. 
   
• Licensing and insurance. Always, always, always choose a paving contractor which is fully licensed and insured. Paving an asphalt driveway requires a lot of heavy machinery, you want to be sure that you are protected in the event of an accident. In many states, proper licensing and proof of insurance is mandatory to operate in this industry. 
   
• Choose experience and reputation. When choosing a contractor, reputation is king. Unfortunately, there are many impostors looking make a quick dollar by scamming innocent families, don't let yourself be one of them. If you are suspicious, ask the contractor for their business information and registration/certification number. 
   
• Know the red flags. Protect yourself from illegitimate “contractors” by knowing what to look for. Warning signs of a scam include contractors with unmarked trucks, no physical addresses (only a PO Box), unsolicited visits to your house, and high pressure sales tactics. If you get a visit from what you suspect to be an unregistered contractor, tell them to scram and alert your local Department of Consumer Protection.

If you live in Connecticut or Westchester, New York and are in need of a new asphalt parking lot or driveway, look no further than Roccie's Asphalt. Our 50+ years of experience and A+ rating from the BBB speaks for itself; have the peace of mind you deserve and know that the job will get done right. To learn more about our company or to request a free, no-obligation estimate, give us a call at 1-888-88ROCCIES.

4 Signs That It's Time To Sealcoat Your Driveway

A freshly-paved asphalt driveway is smooth, jet black, and pleasing to look at. Unfortunately, that won't be true forever – not without a little bit of maintenance anyhow. To keep your driveway beautiful and strong, you will need to take proper care of it. The first good step in any driveway maintenance routine is sealcoating, which adds a protective layer to the top of your driveway. Read below to learn when it could be time for you to sealcoat your driveway.

• Small Cracks: Small cracks are a warning sign that you should get your driveway sealcoated immediately, before they become too large. Small cracks can usually be filled with a sealcoat, however if they become too large, you will need to patch them with hot asphalt mix, or in extreme cases, pay to have your driveway completely repaved.
• Faded Color: Has your driveway began to lose its deep black finish over the years? If your asphalt has faded to a grayish-black color, a sealcoating can restore the surface to the rich black that you remember when it was first paved.
• Winter Is Coming: Homeowners in cold-weather climates should be especially proactive when it comes to sealcoating, as winter weather causes the most damage to asphalt. A fresh sealcoat helps prevent water from penetrating your asphalt surface and freezing, which is the main cause of cracks and potholes.
• It's Been 5 Years: If it has been more than five years since your last sealcoating, it is in your best interest to consider calling a local paving contractor. It is an industry best practice to apply a new sealcoat every 3-5 years in order to preserve the look and structural integrity of your driveway.

If you live in Connecticut or western New York, you can take advantage of a reasonably-priced, high-quality sealcoating from Roccie's Asphalt. Since 1956, we have provided homes and businesses with asphalt driveway and parking lot paving and maintenance services. To learn more about what we can do for you, call us for a free quote at 1-888-88ROCCIES.

3 Keys to Maintaining an Asphalt Driveway

As soon as your freshly-laid asphalt driveway cools off, the aging process begins. From that moment, the sun, oil, water, salt and many other environmental elements slowly break down your driveway. Use these three tips to combat these factors and keep your asphalt pavement strong for years to come.

Sealcoat Every 2-3 Years

When it comes to maintenance, sealcoating your driveway is as essential as changing your car's oil. Sealcoating your asphalt can more than triple its lifespan by adding a protective layer to the top in order to keep out water, oil, and UV rays – all of which are damaging to your driveway. A fresh sealcoat will also restore fading asphalt to a deep black finish to keep it looking like new for decades.

Clean Oil Spills Immediately

If left unattended, oil spills can quickly deteriorate the integrity of your asphalt driveway. If you notice an oil spot on your driveway, clean it up immediately to prevent long-term damage. Oil spills can be cleaned with a bucket of water, some dish detergent, and a little bit of elbow grease. Scrub the soap into the oil spot with a brush and rinse with hot water – repeat this process until all traces of the stain are gone.

Keep Driveway Clear of Snow

If you live in an area where snowfall is common during the winter, make a conscious effort to promptly shovel your driveway after each storm. If left to sit, water from the snow can penetrate your driveway's surface. When the weather fluctuates, this water will repeatedly freeze and thaw, and eventually lead to cracks and potholes.

Roccie's Asphalt has been Connecticut's premier paving company for the past 50 years. Home and business owners alike have trusted us to provide them with high-quality asphalt pavings, sealcoating services, masonry, and more. If it has been more than three years since your last sealcoat, contact us for a free quote today at 1-888-88ROCCIES.

4 Reasons to Choose an Asphalt Driveway

Is your home in need of a new driveway? If you are searching for a reliable, long-lasting material which can also boost your home's curb appeal, look no further than asphalt. Here are four reasons why you should consider asphalt for your home's driveway.

• Durability. When properly cared for, asphalt is one of the most durable materials on the planet. Unlike concrete, asphalt is not known for scaling, shrinking, or crazing. A well-paved asphalt driveway from Roccie's Asphalt can last upwards of 20 years.
• Low Maintenance. One of asphalt's most attractive features is its low-effort maintenance. Sealcoating every two years and patching small cracks before they become problematic is all it takes to keep your driveway strong and healthy for decades.
• Eco-Friendly. If you love the environment, you will be happy to find out that asphalt is 100% recyclable and is the most-recycled material in the country. The EPA estimates that almost 75 million tons of asphalt is recycled annually, saving billions of dollars each year.
• Cold-weather Benefits. Those who live in cold-weather climates in particular should consider asphalt driveways for their homes. Asphalt is more resistant to subzero temperatures than concrete, which is known to crack and suffer from frost heaves. The deep black color of asphalt also attracts more sunlight, helping to melt snow and ice on your driveway faster.

For more than 50 years, Roccie's Paving has provided high-quality asphalt driveways and parking lots to homes and businesses in Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY. Our customer testimonials and photo gallery speak for themselves, so call 1-888-88ROCCIES today for an obligation-free quote.