If the concrete or asphalt in your driveway is cracked then there are probably little blades of grass poking their way through it. You should probably work on getting rid of it before those weeds grow out of hand. We’ve got the scoop on getting that grass out of there before it starts more trouble. Let’s check it out. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 3rd, 2015Give your Mother the Gift of a Safe Driveway
May 3rd, 2015Practical gifts for Mother’s Day are all the rage these days. Something that your mother can use and enjoy for years to come is going to be more valuable than a quick trinket grabbed in haste. When your mother looks out into her driveway, she’ll think of you and how your support keeps her going. Let’s check out some of your options and why having your mother’s driveway repaved is an excellent Mother’s Day gift.
The Advantages of Infrared Repairs
April 19th, 2015There are two difficult things about asphalt: laying it down and taking it up. The difference between them, besides the purpose of the action, is the complexity of the process. Laying asphalt is relatively simple, if time consuming. However, taking it up requires a lot of labor, using lots of tools and machines—or it used to before infrared technology. This new process allows asphalt to be taken up and reused far more quickly, resulting in a simpler process that recycles the old asphalt into a new form on-site. Read the rest of this entry »
How to Keep Your Driveway Free of Cracks
April 15th, 2015This past winter was full of snow and that meant lots of potholes for spring. Now, we’ve got to watch out for little plants pushing their way through the cracks in your pavement. The reason your concrete or asphalt might crack is two-fold. The first reason that might contribute is moisture, and we’ve had a lot of that. The second thing that can lead to cracking is a lot of changes in temperature. With this past winter, we’ve had a lot of both. So, let’s check out some ways you can minimize the cracks in your pavement. Read the rest of this entry »
Caring for Your Concrete
April 3rd, 2015When you have a concrete driveway, patio, or other structure on your property, you might want to think about caring for it as well as you can. You want your concrete to last as long as possible so that you don’t have to replace it for a long time. Caring for your concrete is easy and cost effective for your property in the long run. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do to care for your concrete.
Sealant is Your Friend
Placing a sealing coat onto your concrete will be incredibly helpful down the line. Make sure to invest in a proper sealant so that you know your investment will last. After all, your concrete will probably be taking quite a beating depending on where it is placed. A concrete driveway will certainly experience a sizable amount of wear and tear. If you placed sealant on your concrete a long time ago, then you may want to reseal it. It’s better to protect the concrete you have rather than replacing it.
Keep Stains at Bay
Stains on your concrete can be unsightly and worsen over time. You should try and keep your concrete as stain-free as possible, but if you happen to get something like oil or grease on your concrete then you can get it cleaned. Power washing your concrete is probably a good idea. You can also use chemicals, but be careful. Some chemicals may damage the concrete over time and then you might have to replace it. Rock salt is famous for hurting concrete, so make sure to keep your concrete clean year round. There shouldn’t be too much of that anymore, but considering all the snow we had this past winter, you might want to inspect your concrete surfaces.
If you think your concrete could use some sealant or a new coat of sealant then give us a call! We are more than happy to help you figure out the best way of protecting your concrete surface both big and small.
If you’re in need of repair for your concrete driveway then contact the Tri-State Paving Company. You can reach them by phone, 610.563.9456 (West Chester), 610.932.3566 (Oxford), or 302.757.4100 (Delaware). You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+
Concrete and Stone Steps: Do They Need Replacing?
March 23rd, 2015
Outside steps are always experiencing the elements. They take the rain, the snow, and all that comes with that. The day to day wear and tear of the elements can break concreate and stone structures down over time. This is particularly true after a winter with lots of ice. When moisture gets into the concrete or stone and then freezes, it creates a pocket of air within the structure. When the ice melts the pocket remains. Eventually, this causes fractures, collapse, and generally bad news.
What should I look for?
The easiest things to look for are visible cracks and crumbles on your steps. If you can see little bits coming off of the structure then you may be in for some trouble. Another thing to watch out for is some nasty weather. It may be beneficial to look carefully at your steps after some very low temperatures or some heavy rain. There’s no need to be overly cautious, but a quick glance at your steps will clue you in to any potential issues. You should also be aware of your steps as you walk on them, checking for any weak spots with your feet.
What should I do if there’s a problem?
Well, if you run into some kind of issue you need to consider whether or not your steps need a simple repair, or a full replacement. Obviously, a small fracture isn’t going to spell the end for your steps, but once you see a fracture the countdown has begun. Once the damage has advanced a bit you should look at the foundation. If it looks weak, then it might be time for a replacement. If the damage is surface or cosmetic then a simple repair should be all you need. Give us a call and we can help you figure out what you need.
If you’re in need of repair for your steps then contact the Tri-State Paving Company. You can reach them by phone, 610.563.9456 (West Chester), 610.932.3566 (Oxford), or 302.757.4100 (Delaware). You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+
Pothole Season Has Begun
March 18th, 2015It’s been quite a winter with lots of snow, ice, and rain. You know what that means? This Spring is going to be a season filled with caving pavement. Potholes are not only unsightly; they are also quite dangerous depending on their locations and their severity. Areas that are highly trafficked are much more likely to develop a pothole, but they can happen anywhere, even in your driveway.
How do they happen?
When moisture gets into the asphalt and freezes it expands. This expansion pushes the surface of the road upwards, warping and weakening it. When the ice thaws a hole is left behind beneath the surface of the road. If this happens enough times either during the winter or in spring, when everything thaws, the roadway will collapse and create a pothole. Potholes can range in size from very small (a soccer ball) to enormous (A car). Obviously, the larger the hole the more dangerous it can be. However, another issue with potholes is their location. Some roads are placed above waterways or sewer systems and when these roads collapse serious problems are at hand.
What can I do?
Well, for starters you should most definitely call the city if the pothole is spotted on a state roadway. If the pothole occurs on your property in your driveway or other paved surface then you should call your local paving company so that you get your road repaired. You wouldn’t want a little rabbit or your dog to fall into the hole and hurt themselves would you? Of course not. That’s why it is essential to place a protective barrier around the pothole so that little critters, children, or other people won’t hurt themselves on the hazard. This barrier can be something as simple as a recycling bin with a sign on it or a more sophisticated apparatus. What matters is that it is visible. Then you just need to wait for help to come and repave the problem for you.
If you’re in need of a pothole repair then contact the Tri-State Paving Company. You can reach them by phone, 610.563.9456 (West Chester), 610.932.3566 (Oxford), or 302.757.4100 (Delaware). You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.
The Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Area
March 16th, 2015Last winter have you feeling a little bit of cabin fever? If you want to get out of your house and get the most out of the great out doors an outdoor kitchen and dining area are for you. An outdoor kitchen and dining area will help bring your family and community together, not to mention improve your home’s value. Read more about the benefits of an outdoor kitchen and dining area below.
Get the Family Together Outside
When was the last time your family had dinner together, and not in front of the TV? Regularly using an outdoor kitchen and dining area offers the chance to practice the lost art of conversation, teach your kids important life skills, and strengthen your family bonds. Getting away from the TV, and other electronic distractions, and into the fresh air will encourage your family to talk like never before. Working together to prepare your dinner, and set the places at the table you will teach your children responsibility, and safe cooking practices. And by talking and working together your family will be closer then you ever were before.
Build a Sense of Community With Neighbors
A strong sense of community with your neighbors can work wonders for your life. Strong neighborhood community bonds is important for making friends, reducing stress, improving your home’s value, and keeping your neighborhood safe. Nothing helps build a sense of community with neighbors quite like a barbecue does. Sharing in the costs of food, working together to cook, and talking with your neighbors while your kids play together are just some of the ways a barbecue can help you cement your relationships with your neighbors and keep your community together.
Improve your Home’s Value
A more materialistic, but no less important, benefit of having an outdoor kitchen and dining area is improving your home’s resale value. The return on investment of kitchen improvements has always been high, that and the demand for “outdoor living spaces”, where you take the comfort of indoor living and extend it outside, has been increasingly markedly over the last decade. The combination of those two trends means that an outdoor kitchen, which is effectively an extension of your kitchen space outside, means that an outdoor kitchen and dining area are guaranteed to have a great return on investment.
Want to Experience the Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Area?
Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for outdoor kitchen and dining area that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.
Our area numbers are:
West Chester: 610.563.9456
Oxford: 610.932.3566
Delaware: 302.757.4100
Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work.
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Three things to Look for in a Paving and Masonry Company
March 7th, 2015Whether you’re repaving a driveway, having a new patio installed, or making a retaining wall for some terraced flower beds you want to make sure the job is done right. If you’re not a mason or paving specialist yourself, that means hiring one. But how do you know when a paving or masonry company is good? The Tri-State Paving and Construction brings you a list of three things to look for in a paving and masonry company and lets you know how we meet all the criteria.
1. Experienced Craftsmen
The first of the three things to look for in a paving and masonry company are experienced craftsmen. Only with experienced craftsmen can you guarantee that your paving or masonry job is done right. At Tri-State Paving and Construction we have three generations of experience and hire only master stone masons and highly experienced crews to work at our company. We are experienced at the art of building with stone, Belgium block, brick, pavers, concrete, and asphalt. As an experienced team we have all our own equipment and can make a custom design to fit anything that you can dream. We craft driveways, patios, walkways, pool decks, curbing, walls, fireplaces, pillars, outdoor living spaces, and BBQ’s.
2. Professional Practices
After experienced craftsmen, the next of the three things to look for in a paving and masonry company are professional practices. Professional practices are important because they protect you the customers from being taken advantage of. You might hire a renowned masonry artist, but if you don’t get a real contract, you can’t expect real work. At Tri-State Paving and Construction we don’t give you the run around like an “artiste” might. We give you an immediate response with upfront pricing and keep you informed of project updates. Our uniformed and experienced crew stick with your project until it’s completed to your satisfaction and we guarantee our work twice as long as the competitors.
3. Personal Touch
The final of the three things to look for in a paving and masonry company is a personal touch. A personal touch in the paving and masonry company you hire is important for helping you design your project, meeting your expectations, and ensuring you’re satisfied with the company’s service. Tri-State Paving and Construction prides itself in being a family owned and operated business. We treat your project like it’s our own and are reachable 7 days a week and we work with you to make sure the project is as stress free as possible.
If You Need Paving or Masonry, Tri-State Paving and Construction Meets All Three Things to Look For in a Paving and Masonry Company
Call Tristate Paving. We’re an experienced paving and masonry company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to do your paving or masonry project quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to design your project so that you’re sure to love it for years and years to come.
Our area numbers are:
West Chester: 610.563.9456
Oxford: 610.932.3566
Delaware: 302.757.4100
Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work.
The Importance of Winter Maintenance For Your Patio
March 2nd, 2015Winter is the worst time of the year for spalling in your patio, walkways, and driveway. Spalling is the process of breaking down ore, rock, stone, concrete, and pavers. The flakes or pebbles broken off in the process are called spall. But, by doing some minor winter maintenance, you can prevent your hardscaping surfaces from spalling and slowly being broken down beneath your feat.
How Winter Increases Spalling
A great deal of the spalling that happens to your hardscaping happens in winter. This is largely due to the cycle of thawing and freezing caused by the erratic temperature variations we experience as part of our temperate climate. Ice or water aren’t problems on their own, the problem is when they switch between states quickly.
The process starts with precipitation. Rain or snow falls and lands on your hardscaping. If it’s in liquid form it penetrates the pores and cracks of your hardscaping. When the temperature drops below the freezing point, 32°F (0°C) , the water freezes and expands. The expansion puts pressure on your concrete, brick, or stone hardscaping and causes it to break. The pore or crack is now larger then it used to be and now when the ice thaws more water can flow into the space. When the temperatures dip below freezing again the expansion of the ice causes even more damage. Fortunately there are things you can do to prevent and mitigate the process.
How Winter Maintenance Can Stop Spalling
By doing simple and regular winter maintenance you can stop, or reduce the damage spalling does to your hardscaping. Making sure your hardscaping is sealed, clearing away snow, and using the right treatments can all help stop spalling in your hardscaping.
Sealing your hardscaping is the first preventative measure you can take to protect your hardscaping. Sealing your hardscaping prevents water from penetrating some of the pores and cracks of your hardscaping. Sealing lasts for approximately three years and should be applied by a professional. However, on its own sealing isn’t always enough to protect your hardscaping.
Clearing your hardscaping of snow and ice is important for preventing spalling. By clearing your hardscaping you prevent the cycle from starting in the first place. When you’re clearing your hardscaping you should use a plastic shovel or a metal shovel with a rubber covering the blades edge. A regular metal shovel blade can scratch or otherwise damage your hardscaping. It’s best to clear right after a snow, or intermittently during the snow if it’s a heavy snow.
Finally, treating ice and snow with chemicals can be done to prevent the cycle of freezing and thawing, however it must be done with caution. Certain chemicals, even just plain salt, can cause damage to your hardscaping. Make sure you consult with your hardscaping provider or installer to find out what chemicals are safe to use on your hardscaping.
Need Help or Have Questions?
Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you care for and maintain your hardscaping.
Our area numbers are:
West Chester: 610.563.9456
Oxford: 610.932.3566
Delaware: 302.757.4100
Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work.