How Are Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating Different?

If you have purchased a new car recently, you are probably familiar with the purpose of the sealcoat that the manufacturer applied over the car’s paint. The sealcoat enhances the car’s appearance, but it also protects its paint job, which protects the underlying metal that comprises the structure of the car. However, sealcoat cannot repair door dings, rust, or scratches. If you think of asphalt paving as being similar to the structure of a car, you can probably deduce the purpose of an asphalt sealcoat.

How Are Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating Different?

When Should I Choose an Asphalt Sealcoat Over Asphalt Paving?

Asphalt sealcoating enhances a pavement’s appearance, restoring its dark color and making the expanse appear more even. The asphalt paving company that built your pavement likely recommended that you sealcoat your new pavement as soon as the curing process was completed. Depending on the time of year, this could be three or four months, but it could also be 10 or 12 months. Your first application of sealcoat should be applied no later than the end of the pavement’s first year of life; repeated applications will be needed every 18 to 30 months. If you cannot remember the last time that you sealed your pavement, the asphalt has faded to an unattractive gray or brown color, or you are preparing to repaint your pavement markings, an asphalt sealcoat application may be the right choice.

When Should I Choose Asphalt Paving Over Asphalt Sealcoating?

Many people mistakenly assume that an asphalt paving company only constructs new pavements. In fact, your paving contractor may perform more jobs related to asphalt resurfacing or patching. Resurfacing is the process of installing a layer of fresh asphalt on top of an existing pavement. If the pavement’s base is in good condition, resurfacing can often serve as a way to get the serviceability and appearance of a reconstructed pavement at a fraction of the cost. Asphalt patching is normally a repair method that is used to fix potholes, alligator cracking, and some types of pavement distress. Because breaks in the pavement, including alligator cracks and potholes, allow water to inflict damage on the foundation, you should call your asphalt company to make repairs as quickly as possible. Conduct an inspection in the spring and autumn to identify problems promptly, then ask your paving contractor to repair any cracks, potholes, or patches of alligator cracking.

When Is Asphalt Resurfacing Needed?

Typically, an overlay is installed when the pavement is nearing the end of its useful life. Depending on the type of pavement, the care it has been given, and the quality of the original construction, an overlay is seldom needed for 12 or 15 years. However, resurfacing can also be a useful procedure to correct problems with the initial construction, drainage issues, or widespread pavement distress.

To Learn More, Contact Black Hawk Paving

We are a family business that has been providing exceptional craftsmanship since 1975. Black Hawk Paving & Construction offers our paving services to commercial clients throughout Chicagoland. Our asphalt services include paving, sealcoating, crack repairs, patching, resurfacing, and milling, and we also offer a line of concrete flatwork as well as concrete repairs, parking lot striping, traffic signage, sewer repair, and car stops. We are known for delivering exemplary results, going the extra mile for our customers, and charging reasonable prices. If you are interested in receiving a free quote, simply fill out the request form online. If you would rather speak with us, you can call one of our three telephone numbers. If your job is within the Chicago city limits, please call 773-378-2390. If the job is in the suburbs, call 847-240-2560 for the northwestern cities, or call 708-419-3028 for the towns south of Chicago. Call 847-240-2560 for the northwestern cities, or call 708-419-3028

How Chicago Hotels Can Benefit From Parking Lot Maintenance

Every year, millions of tourists and business travelers book hotel rooms in the Chicago area, and the competition among hotels can be fierce. Hotel managers are constantly looking for ways to attract new guests and encourage them to return. Managers may focus on the lobby décor, the comfort of the beds, the attention that staff members pay to guests, or the unique amenities that the hotel offers. However, if you are forgetting about your paving repairs and parking lot maintenance, you could be losing points for your hotel.

How Chicago Hotels Can Benefit From Parking Lot Maintenance

Why Does Parking Lot Maintenance Matter?

You only have one opportunity to make a good first impression, and the first thing that your guests normally see is your parking lot. This view can form the basis for an impression about your entire operation. An ugly,

dangerous parking lot can be interpreted as an expression of your lack of concern for your guests. They may think that this lack of concern extends to the safety and comfort of your rooms, and they may look for signs of confirmation, becoming a nightmare for your staff. When it is time for them to reserve another room, your hotel or chain may fall to the bottom of their list of acceptable choices. If these reasons are not sufficient motivation, consider the potential financial implications. When you neglect your parking lot maintenance, you virtually guarantee that you will encounter costly repairs more frequently, and your parking lot will need to be rebuilt far ahead of schedule.

What Should a Hotel Include in a Parking Lot Maintenance Program?

The first item on your list should be paving repairs. Have a reputable contractor perform asphalt crack sealing at least once every year, and every six months is better if your budget permits. If there are potholes in your parking lot, contact a commercial paving contractor to patch them. The second item on your list should be parking lot sealcoating. Asphalt sealcoating helps prevent cracks and other damage by blocking UV rays, slowing down the progress of automotive fluids and corrosive chemicals, and boosting the pavement’s waterproofing. Sealcoating also improves traction to make your parking lot safer, and it greatly enhances your pavement’s appearance. The third item should be your parking lot striping. Visible markings improve safety by reducing distractions, directing the flow of traffic, and clearly indicating where drivers should not park. Other routine maintenance tasks should include periodic sweepings, the removal of oil and other fluids that vehicles have leaked onto your pavement, and inspections to ensure that drains and gutters have not become clogged.

Are There Additional Tips for Maintaining a Hotel Parking Lot?

When ice and snow arrive, slippery pavements can make your parking lot a treacherous place. However, make sure that you only allow a qualified operator to plow your parking lot; an improperly set blade can inflict severe damage on an asphalt pavement. If you plan to use a chemical agent to melt ice, ask a contractor who specializes in asphalt paving services to recommend one that will not damage your pavement. You should also consider walking through your parking lot occasionally to see for yourself what issues are present so that you can address them immediately.

Let Black Hawk Paving Help

Black Hawk Paving specializes in the care of commercial pavements for customers in the Chicagoland area. We offer parking lot sealcoating, asphalt crack sealing, parking lot striping, asphalt repairs, asphalt paving, and asphalt milling & grinding. Our exemplary reputation is based on our commitment to superb craftsmanship, integrity, and extraordinary customer service. If you are interested in a free quote, you can call 773-378-2390, or you can submit our online form.

Do You Trust Your Asphalt Paving Company?

When it comes to commercial asphalt paving Chicago property managers have many companies from which to choose. They know that they need to find a contractor they can trust, but they may not know exactly how to accomplish that task. Fortunately, it is not all that difficult to find a trustworthy contractor if you know the right questions to ask.

What Is Your Level of Experience in the Asphalt Paving Industry?

You want to know how many years your contractor has worked in the industry, but you also want to know what experience the contractor has in handling projects that are similar to yours. For example, a contractor who has devoted his career to sealcoating residential driveways may not be the ideal candidate to handle the parking lot striping on a lot with spaces for 10,000 cars.

Are You Fully Insured?

Your parking lot maintenance contractor needs to have valid workers’ compensation, general liability, and vehicle liability policies. Every one of the company’s employees who will be working on your property should be covered on the workers’ comp policy to protect your financial interests if they suffer a job-related injury. The vehicle and general liability policies protect you from losses if your property, the vehicles in your parking lot, or nearby properties or vehicles are damaged by the contractor’s workers.

Can You Walk Me Through the Entire Asphalt Maintenance or Paving Procedure I Am Requesting?

Whether you need a parking lot repair, sealcoating, or striping, reputable paving contractors can explain the procedure in detail. Furthermore, trustworthy contractors will not attempt to baffle you with industry jargon, act annoyed by your questions, or treat you in a condescending manner. A great asphalt paving company will have enthusiastic representatives who enjoy educating their customers about their work.

Do You Offer Detailed Quotes in Writing?

When you need asphalt maintenance or paving, you want to collect quotes from at least three reputable contractors. However, unless the quotes show the brands and types of materials, the quantities of each material, the entire scope of the work, and a separate line item for labor, it will be difficult or impossible for you to conduct an accurate comparison. If a contractor considers a single number scribbled on the back of an envelope to be a written quote, move on to your next candidate.

Will You Provide Me With References?

Trustworthy asphalt contractors have references, and they are not hesitant to share them. Ask for references from previous customers for whom the contractor completed projects of a similar nature and scope to your own. Call these references to learn about the quality of the contractor’s work. Ask about the contractor’s dependability and professionalism. If possible, drive by two or three sites to see examples of the contractor’s work for yourself.

What Can You Tell Me About Your Staffing for Pavement Maintenance Jobs?

Good asphalt contractors have trained, experienced employees who possess the necessary skills to complete your job successfully. They will also employ enough people to ensure that the job will be completed efficiently. Ask specifically about the qualifications of the contractor’s team members who will be handling your job. Although the roster may not be finalized for your particular project, your contractor should at least know the experience, training, and skills of the team likely to be assigned to your project. For example, the contractor should be able to tell you that the company’s milling machine operators have between 10 and 20 years of experience.

To Make Things Easier on Yourself, Just Contact Black Hawk Paving

For almost half a century, Black Hawk Paving has been known as a trustworthy asphalt company with a deep commitment to consistently delivering exceptional work to commercial clients throughout Chicagoland. We offer a variety of asphalt paving and maintenance services, including sealcoating, parking lot striping, crack repairs, asphalt patching, and asphalt milling. You can request a free quote by completing the online form. If you prefer, you can call 708-479-0400 to reach our Mokena office.