DIY- Asphalt Crack Repair Tips

One of the beauties of asphalt is the easy maintenance that comes along with it. Though repaving is an option, many times a few little cracks can be an easy DIY fix that will leave you with a new and improved driveway. So if your asphalt is beginnings to show it’s age, here some DIY tips to give it a face lift:

Pay Attention to Size

Crack size is probably the first thing you’ll want to do before preparing to repair. The size of the crack will play a big part in what product you use; so before hitting the store check size and quantity of each crack. A smaller crack will just need crack filler while larger cracks might need to be filled with sand and repaired with a cold patch product.

Clean Up

Before you begin any crack repairs — you’ll need a clean slate. Sweep the driveway free of any leaves and debris.Remove any loose bits and weeds; if you notice there's a large quantity of weeds growing through the cracks, apply a weed killer too.

Pay Attention to The Weather

Asphalt repair is one DIY project that is weather permitted. To start a crack repair, you will need a dry, warm day — especially if it’s a significant repair.  Repairs will need time to set, especially if they are sealed, so try and keep your asphalt repairs to the spring/summer months.

Follow it up With a Seal

Sealing is a major part of driveway repair. Sealing will keep moisture out and solidify the bond between the existing asphalt and the patches. If you are feeling up to it, you can always reseal the who driveway, but just the filled in areas will do.

Roccie's Asphalt provides driveway installation, repair, repaving, and resurfacing services to homeowners in Fairfield County CT and Westchester County NY. With more than 50 years of experience, don't trust anyone else with your asphalt paving needs. Call us today for a free quote at 888-88-ROCCIES.

Picking The Right Landscaping for Your New Driveway

Getting a freshly paved driveway is an excellent way to really spruce up your yard! But to boost up your yard appeal, you’ll want to make sure the landscaping compliments it. So if some unkempt grass surrounds your beautiful new driveway, here’s how to get your landscape design up to par:

Add Some Shrubs

One way to make your new driveway or walkway pop is to add a few low maintenance bushes. You want to make sure that you are choosing plants that grow low to the ground. Plants that are known to spread can grow outward and into your driveway causing more upkeep and more chances of them getting damaged by your car.

Think Colorful Flowers

Want to dress it up a bit more? Add some bright color flowers! Whether you add them along your walk way or in the front of the house, it will be a great way to brighten up your yard. Potted or planted, a nicely arranged garden can also add value to your home!

Light it Up

Beyond your beautiful greenery, why not shine some light on the new beautiful piece of work! You can add solar light along your driveway leading up to the house. They are easy to install and a great way to keep your driveway safely lit, and bonus — it will keep your yard free of intruders.

Keep it Simple

If you are looking to maintain the focus more on the driveway, you can add two focal plants at your front steps or just plant a single tree. It will highlight your path with out overpowering it. It’s also less gardening you’ll have to do along the way, and the right tree can even add shade and privacy to your home.

Roccie's Asphalt provides driveway installation, repair, repaving, and resurfacing services to homeowners in Fairfield County CT and Westchester County NY. With more than 50 years of experience, don't trust anyone else with your asphalt paving needs. Call us today for a free quote at 888-88-ROCCIES.

Why Asphalt is Good For the Environment

When it comes to choosing asphalt, it is easily the most affordable and environmentally friendly paving choices you can make. As America’s number 1 recycled product, porous asphalt is sustainable, cost efficient, and great for the environment! So when it comes time to schedule your next paving project, here’s why you should seriously consider asphalt.

Water Quality

One of the most eco-friendly things about porous asphalt is that it can improve water quality. Porous pavement can turn water run off into filtration, which means it improves water quality and eliminates any need for detention basins. Asphalt is also used to line our drinking water reservoirs, and asphalt cement even lines our water pipes.

Sustainability

If done right, an asphalt road will never wear out. Easy to maintain, only the top layer will have to be removed and replaced; making it a quick and affordable process. When the layer is removed, it is then reclaimed and recycled cutting down on cost. The newly placed layer is also from recycled material and is the same quality as the initial installation, and there is no down time after. Meaning the job can be done overnight, and the roads can reopen quickly, avoiding congestion and unnecessary traffic.

Cleaner Air

When it comes to creating asphalt, the emissions from the power plants are very low and well controlled. The emissions have decreased significantly over the years in return increasing production. In fact, they are so minimal that the EPA considers them as only minor sources of industrial pollution. Since asphalt also speeds up construction, it contributes to less congestion. When traffic backs up fuel is consumed, and the gas production leads to a greenhouse effect, leading to pollution, so choosing asphalt means choosing cleaner air, and less traffic, and who doesn’t love that?

Roccie's Asphalt provides driveway installation, repair, repaving, and resurfacing services to homeowners in Fairfield County CT and Westchester County NY. With more than 50 years of experience, don't trust anyone else with your asphalt paving needs. Call us today for a free quote at 888-88-ROCCIES.

Meet Our Founder Rocco Engongoro

When you are hiring Roccie’s Asphalt and Paving, you are hiring the #1 paving contractor in Fairfield County Connecticut and Westchester County NY. Beyond that, we are a family and to understand why we love what we do and where we came from, you must first learn about our wonderful founder. So who is he?

Rocco Engongoro

Our founder, Rocco (Roccie) Engongoro was born in 1924  and is the son of Italian Immigrants. His family settled in Port Chester, NY which was then, a predominately Italian community. His love for mother earth and working with his hands is why he is where he is today.

He’s A Veteran

Before diving into business, Rocco did what many young men of the day did — he enlisted. Joining the armed forces right before the onset of World War Two.  After returning home from honorably serving his country, Rocco realized he had a love for working with his hands.

It Started With Landscape Service

Since he had a love for mother nature and working with his hands, Rocco decided in 1950 to begin working for a local landscape and gardening company. He took in everything he could, learning landscapes, masonry, tree work, and gardening. Six years later, he decided to branch out on his own to provide for his growing family., A few years later, a client asked him to pave a driveway and with Rocco’s can do attitude he said yes! Thus began Roccie’s Asphalt and Paving.

He’s Still Active Today

With his son Vinny as President and Managing Partner, Rocco or Roccie to those close to him, is now enjoying retirement. He spends most of his time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and is still attending many social functions and local organizational events. He’s an avid ballroom dancer and loves to cook. What are his hobbies; well, woodworking and gardening of course!

Roccie's Asphalt provides driveway installation, repair, repaving, and resurfacing services to homeowners in Fairfield County CT and Westchester County NY. With more than 50 years of experience, don't trust anyone else with your asphalt paving needs. Call us today for a free quote at 888-88-ROCCIES.

How to Maintain Your Pavers

A paved patio can spruce up your yard but to keep that new patio feel, you’ll have to put in the work. Maintaining your pavers is easier than you think and with a little work, you’ll not only extend your paver's life but give your neighbors some major yard envy. So here’s the best way to maintain your pavers:

Start With a Clean Surface

If you want to keep your pavers looking shiny and new, regular cleaning is recommended. Sweep and scrub away any stains or oil. An occasional power wash is great too. No matter how you clean be sure that the paving surface is dry and water doesn’t pool up in the grout or seems, as it can weaken and tarnish it.

Weed

Now that you have cleaned your patio, it’s time to weed! Weeds can often pop their ugly heads up through the stones from time to time, but with regular weeding, you can prevent cracks and damage. Weeds also retain moisture and if not removed, can weaken the seams.

Repair

If you notice any bad seals or cracks, it’s best to repair them right away.  If you see grout lines that need to be done, re-grouting can be relatively easy and just requires a putty knife and chisel. Carefully apply it to the seam, and make sure to scrape off any traces of dried grout from the patio.

Seal

After your cleaning and weeding are complete, it’s time to seal the deal! Sealing your pavers are the best way to fight off chipping or dulling! Not only will it give your patio shine, but it can help prevent pesky stains too. They are easy to use and should be applied every few years.

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Roccie's Asphalt provides driveway installation, repair, repaving, and resurfacing services to homeowners in Fairfield County CT and Westchester County NY. With more than 50 years of experience, don't trust anyone else with your asphalt paving needs. Call us today for a free quote at 888-88-ROCCIES.

Your Driveway Paving Checklist

In need of a new driveway, walkway, or patio? Well with any home project big or small, It’s always best to do your homework, before diving right in. An investment of its own, a paving project is something you want to be done right. So, to get quality work by a reputable contractor, make sure to bring a checklist:

Check Their Credentials

Before settling on a paving company you want to know what they have to offer you. A reputable contractor will have a state license, a permanent location, and some might even be members of a trade association. To make sure your paving project is in good hands, check to see if they have any complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Doing your research now can save you a costly headache later on.

Ask About Insurance

This is a major question that can often get overlooked. If you are dealing with a contractor who doesn’t carry liability insurance, any damage or injury could fall on you. There is nothing wrong with politely asking if the company is insured and for how much. A professional contractor will answer without any hesitation.

Discuss the Process

You should be prepared for the project before it goes underway. Don’t be afraid to ask the equipment that will be used, the noise that will be made, and the length of time you can expect the work to go on for. In some cases, you might receive these answers without even asking, but it’s always good to be prepared. Be sure to ask about the upkeep and maintenance process too.

If you are in Fairfield County, CT or Westchester County, NY, and looking for a paving company that can answer all the questions and more, look no further than Roccie’s Asphalt. With more than 50 years of experience and an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, we give you peace of mind knowing that your driveway is in good hands. Call us today for a free estimate at 888-88-ROCCIES.

Four Tips For an Easy 4th of July Clean Up

The fourth of July is a time for celebrating! BBQ’s, pool parties, and fireworks are usually part of the tradition, but so is the dreaded next day clean up. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to take you all day. So if you are hosting a party of your own, we have four cleaning tips that will help you thoroughly enjoy your Fourth:

Pick Up As You Go

One of the best ways you can prevent a whole day of clean up is to start cleaning as you go.  Once the party starts dwindling down, begin to pick up and dispose of garbage. Cleaning up will help guests know that the party's starting to slow down, which can often spark them to leave or offer a helping hand, both helping you avoid a long day of pick up the next day. For easy and low maintenance clean up — opt for disposable paper goods and cutlery.

Take Out The Trash

No one wants to be stuck with a sea full of garbage — so make it the first thing you tackle! Double bag all trash cans and place them throughout your yard. With several options for disposal, your guests will be more likely to throw out their trash instead of leaving it behind. Remember, the more garbage cans, the less you have to pick up later.

Think Big

So now that you have your garbage situation under control — it’s time to move on to the bigger things! Dispose or package up all food and drinks and place leftovers in the fridge. Clean and cover the grill, and gather and collect all decorations for easy morning clean up. It’s also the best time to clean up spills, pre-treat stains, and fold up any chairs or tables that you might have rented.

Remove Pesky Stains

It happens, you're having a good time laughing with your friends and family, and someone spills their drink. To avoid a fall or nasty stain, wipe it up right away. Wine, tea, and coffee, can leave a nasty stain on concrete, pavers, and wood decks, so the earlier you tackle it, the better! To avoid damage —  blot the area then pre-treat and scrub.

With over 50 years of experience, Roccie's Asphalt is the #1 paving contractor in Fairfield County CT and Westchester County NY.  With expertise in both residential and commercial, we can help with all your asphalt paving, repair, seal coating, and maintenance needs. Request an estimate or call us at 888-88-ROCCIES.