Green Facts About Asphalt

 

In honor of Earth Day, the experts at Roccie's Paving would like to shed some light on the eco-friendly qualities of asphalt. It may sound surprising to some, but asphalt pavement is actually one of the greenest materials on the planet.

Here are some facts about asphalt that you probably didn't know:

• Asphalt is the most-recycled material in the country, with more than 80 million tons recycled annually.
• The recycling of asphalt not only saves the environment, it saves taxpayers too; about $2.5 billion per year to be exact.
• Since 1970, the asphalt industry has reduced emissions by nearly 100%, while increasing production by 250%!
• Porous asphalt not only allows water to run through it, it can purify it as it happens. This eliminates much water runoff and allows water to return to the ground.
• Asphalt pavement can withstand heavy traffic loads for years on end. This saves time and money because there is a reduction in maintenance work, and the local wildlife benefits from this too.

If you want to make an environmentally-conscious home improvement which can boost your curb appeal and resale value, consider installing a new asphalt driveway. Homeowners in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York can get a high-quality paving at a reasonable rate from the asphalt experts at Roccie's Paving.

For almost 60 years, home and business owners alike have depended on Roccie's for affordable, durable asphalt driveways and parking lots. Call us today for a free quote at 1-888-88ROCCIES.

Sources:

Asphalt Paving Project

Wolf Paving

Driveway Cracks: Patch and Sealcoat or Repave?

Does your asphalt driveway have unsightly cracks or potholes? A damaged driveway can hinder your property's curb appeal and even reduce your resale value. If you want to repair your driveway you have two options: patching and sealcoating or repaving.

In this article, the asphalt experts at Roccie's Paving go over the pros and cons of both options, and which situations are appropriate for each.


Patch & Sealcoat if…
Your driveway's damage is minimal and the cracks are very small - up to 5/8ths of an inch wide. Apply crack filler to seal out moisture and prevent weed growth.. Patch small holes or other damages with a cold patch product, then apply seal coat.

Sealcoating is primarily used as a form of maintenance to protect your driveway surface from water, U.V. rays, and oil or gas spills. It also helps the pavement stay flexible longer and keeps it looking new. Sealer is also used to help blend the crack filler or patching, which can be noticeably different when placed on aged pavement

When installed correctly with a sand mixture additive, a sealcoat will also restore your driveway's beautiful jet black finish and provide a slip-resistant surface. Sealcoating is a relatively inexpensive process and can add years to the lifespan of your driveway when done every 2-4 years. However, if your driveway has large cracks or several potholes, you may have to repave.


Repave if...
Your driveway has degraded a considerable amount. For driveways which have severely deteriorated over the years, a complete repaving may be the only option.

Repaving your driveway is a complicated process which involves digging up your existing driveway, repairing weak spots in the foundation, and applying a new asphalt surface on top. In comparison to crack filling and seal coating, this process can be costly, so it’s only done as a last resort when repairing is no longer practical.

After a repaving, it is advised that homeowners follow a strict sealcoating and maintenance schedule in order to protect their investment.



Whether your asphalt driveway needs to be repaired or repaved, Roccie's Paving provides a high-quality job at an affordable rate. Roccie’s can also provide you with a way to fund the project using our “no payment option” for 30, 60, or 90 days, or low-rate financing for qualified buyers. To learn what Roccie’s can do for your Connecticut or New York home, click here to visit our website or call us for a free quote at 1-888-88-ROCCIES.

How to Prevent Your Asphalt Driveway from Cracking

For every homeowner, the inevitable day will come when you spot a crack or two in your asphalt driveway. Unfortunately it is not a matter of if, but rather when your driveway will begin to break down and develop unsightly cracks. However, there are ways to prolong the process – use these four tips to keep your asphalt driveway fresh and smooth for as long as possible.

Hire a Good Contractor
A driveway is only as strong as its foundation, so make sure yours was installed to last. Attempting to cut costs by hiring a sub-standard contractor or attempting a DIY driveway installation usually has the opposite effect – you will save some money up front, but will quickly have to spend more on repairs or even a complete repaving.

Sealcoat as Needed
The key to great driveway maintenance is a good sealcoating routine. Sealcoating your driveway provides an additional layer of protection to prevent the sun, water, and other elements from deteriorating your asphalt's binding agent. Experts recommend sealcoating your driveway every 2-3 years to preserve it's strength and appearance.

Limit Excessive Weight
Asphalt is a very durable material, but it isn't unbreakable. How much weight your driveway can endure depends on its thickness, the material used, and several other factors, but err on the side of caution and avoid placing loads of more than 10,000 pounds on yours.

Fix Small Cracks
When you first notice a small crack in your driveway, take the time to fix it before it becomes a large crack. Use a leaf blower to remove the dirt and debris and fill the crack with an emulsion or silicone grade product that can be purchased at most hardware stores. For larger cracks call a professional.

A strong, dependable asphalt driveway is just a phone call away with Roccie's Paving. For over 50 years, we have provided Connecticut and New York residents with high-quality asphalt paving services at an affordable price. From the foundation to the top layer, we take our time with each step to ensure your driveway is built to last. Call us today for a free quote at 1-888-88ROCCIES.


Resources:
Angie's List

Warning Signs of A Bad Contractor

Unfortunately for buyers, the home improvement and paving industries run rampant with “fly-by-night” contractors posing as legitimate businesses and scamming innocent homeowners. After you give these people your hard-earned money, you will never see them again and their phone lines are suddenly disconnected.

Protect yourself from illegitimate businesses looking to con you by looking for these three warning signs.

• Unsolicited visits. Be suspicious of businesses who travel door-to-door in unmarked trucks. These people will often point out “problems” that you didn’t know you had say things like “we just finished a job down the road and have some extra materials, we can give you a great price.” If you get a visit from someone like this, tell them to scram.
  
• High pressure sales tactics. If you are dealing with a paving contractor who tells you that their quoted price is only good for the next 24 hours, they are using a high-pressure sales tactic to get you to hand over your money before you have time to do your research. Never sign the dotted line without knowing exactly who you are doing business with.
  
• Low-ball pricing. If the price they give you seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Asphalt paving requires heavy machinery, expensive equipment, and a team of workers to get the job done right - the price they give you should reflect that.
  

Safeguard your home and your money by only dealing with reputable contractors. Connecticut and New York residents can rest easy knowing that a high-quality asphalt paving is only a phone call away with Roccie’s Asphalt.

For over 50 years, Roccie’s Asphalt has provided Fairfield and Westchester Counties with affordable asphalt driveway and parking lot pavings. We are fully licensed and insured, as well as BBB-accredited. What are you waiting for? Call us for a free no-obligation quote today at 1-888-88ROCCIES.

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.