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Are you dreading the daunting task of shoveling your driveway this winter? In areas that get a lot of snow, this task may need to be done repeatedly throughout the season. You can shovel it yourself, use a snow blower, or hire someone to shovel or plow your driveway. Or you can save yourself a lot of time, effort, and money by installing a heated driveway. Heated driveways are becoming more popular as homeowners tire of the endless process of snow and ice removal. Does the id

It may seem like an unusual term, but a driveway apron is the section of your driveway where it meets the road. In some ways it resembles the shape of an apron, which is where the name originated. It is also called the approach, which is a nod to the literal curb appeal it presents. Driveway aprons vary in length and width depending on a variety of factors, such as whether or not there is a sidewalk and the regulations in your neighborhood or community. If you’re considering

Paving your driveway with asphalt can be very beneficial to your property’s curb appeal and functionality. Many people consider asphalt driveways because of the many benefits and low maintenance requirements, but they don’t know what the process of paving an asphalt driveway involves. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the asphalt driveway paving process, the typical asphalt driveway uses, and its benefits. What is Asphalt? Asphalt is a black, sticky substanc

New asphalt paving makes a home or business look great. When you install new asphalt, you need to know how long it takes before it is safe to walk or drive on it. You could hurt yourself or damage the surface if you put weight on newly laid asphalt too soon.Fortunately, you can safely walk on most asphalt surfaces as soon as they are dry. Still, paving companies recommend waiting about one hour after completion. For best results, rope off the newly covered area and wait at le

Asphalt or concrete for driveways and parking lots - which is the better choice? If you’re considering paving your driveway or parking lot, we know there are many different things to take into account when making your decision, including: How your driveway or parking lot may look Material performance and longevity Cost over all Time of installation Each of these is an important consideration, and the answer as to whether concrete or asphalt is the best choice for you depends

Asphalt pavement is a terrific paving choice for driveways, parking lots, roads and more. With good installation and regular, routine maintenance, your asphalt can last for a long time. But, there are a few things that can destroy asphalt and greatly shorten lifespan. It’s easy to avoid these problems, and prevent costly replacement or expensive repairs. What is Asphalt Exactly? Durable and cost effective, asphalt is made from a binder such as Bitumen, filler, and a mix of a

Are you considering paving your driveway? At Top West Asphalt, we know there are many different things to take into account from how you want your driveway to look to the performance and longevity of your new driveway installation. Taking into account the amount of time needed to install the driveway, surface durability, and the installation process of your driveway are all important, too. Consider the Right WeatherIt’s important to install your new asphalt driveway when the

What causes potholes? The short answer is distressed pavement, which occurs from aging asphalt, ongoing traffic, weather, and lack of maintenance. As cars and trucks pass over a weather-weakened or aging spot in the road, pieces of that road surface will break down, causing cracks and gaps. Without proper maintenance, even small cracks can become potholes, and small potholes turn into large craters.Of course, potholes may be prevented in the first place by properly sealing cr

Asphalt is a popular paving material for driveways, parking lots, and other outdoor surfaces. Even though it is dark in color, it is still susceptible to staining, especially from oil. Vehicles can leave behind oil stains after being parked on asphalt for a period of time. If you catch an oil stain right away and clean it up, it is much easier to do. But if an oil stain has been there a while and soaked into the asphalt, it may be a little harder to remove. Here’s what to do

Does your asphalt driveway need repair? Asphalt is an extremely durable paving material, but it is still susceptible to wear and tear over time from weather and vehicle traffic. How do you know when your asphalt driveway needs to be repaired? And what will asphalt repair entail? Get the answers to these questions and more in this complete guide to asphalt repair. Signs Your Driveway Needs Repair The main signs of wear and tear that you’ll see on your asphalt driveway are: Cr

When asphalt is first laid down it is a dark black color. Whether it’s a driveway or a newly paved road, it looks smooth and flawless. But over time the black fades to gray from the sun and traffic and loses its luster. Besides just looking faded, a gray driveway is an indication that the asphalt is wearing out and breaking down. If your driveway is looking more gray than black lately, it may be time for asphalt repair. Here’s what you need to know about gray asphalt drivewa

Asphalt is one of the most durable and versatile surfaces for roadways, parking lots, and driveways. It is strong enough to handle heavy trucks carrying heavy loads as easily as it can handle small cars and motorcycles. But it does have its own limitations. Let’s look at 5 of the most common categories of asphalt damage. 1. Cracking Cracking is perhaps the most common category of asphalt damage. Think about how much your asphalt is subjected to, day in and day out. Various e

Can rain damage asphalt? Unfortunately, it can. Asphalt is a strong, durable material once it hardens. But even so, water can damage asphalt in a variety of ways. Water is an amazing force of nature that can harm nearly anything in its path. But rain damage can be prevented with the proper precautions, like asphalt maintenance. Signs of Rain Damage on Asphalt Water damage shows up in a variety of ways on your asphalt parking lot, such as: Cracks. Water damage can cause small

Are you in need of asphalt paving? Whether it’s a driveway, walkway, parking lot, or other project, asphalt is a durable, long lasting material. But to get the most out of your asphalt, it is best to hire a professional asphalt paving service. It may be tempting to try and save money by laying asphalt yourself. However, you’re likely to end up with substandard results that deteriorate quickly, leaving you right where you started. Here are the many reasons why you should hire

Have you ever pulled into a parking lot and saw new pavement that looks fresh and fantastic? That is the power of sealcoating. But, truth be told, it is not all about looks. Sealcoating gives asphalt an extra layer of protection to help extend its life. See, pavement is vulnerable to all sorts of hazards. Not only does it take a beating from automobile traffic, but it is left exposed to rainwater, oils from cars, the sun’s rays, and other debris. Using sealcoating can protect

Asphalt has quickly become one of the most popular options for surface paving thanks to its durability, flexibility, and ease of installation, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require maintenance. If you’re seeing any of these signs of wear and tear in your asphalt, taking early corrective action can save you time and money further down the road. #1: Cracks Paved surfaces crack for a variety of reasons, including loads that are too heavy, environmental conditions, or errors d

Although concrete may have been the preferred material for pavement in years past, asphalt has recently become the go-to product when it comes to resurfacing roads, walkways, and even parking lots. Now, companies are ditching their old concrete lots in favor of this sleek new form of pavement. Here’s why many businesses are finding out that asphalt is the best solution for commercial parking lots. What is Asphalt? If you’ve ever walked or driven on a freshly paved asphalt sur

If your existing concrete driveway, parking lot, or road is showing signs of wear and tear, it might be time for an upgrade. Although concrete and asphalt both contain gravel and sand, the main difference between the two is what binds the mixtures together. Cement, the adhesive used in concrete, creates a rigid surface that, while durable, can result in cracks and fissures that are difficult or even impossible to repair. Petroleum, the binding agent found in asphalt, results

Asphalt always looks great when it is first laid down. It’s dark black, smooth, and unblemished. But over time it can develop stains from vehicle fluids, leaves, and other debris. This is bound to happen from time to time. But the good news is that asphalt is easy to clean. Here’s how to remove asphalt stains and keep your driveway or parking lot looking like new. Cleaning Asphalt To properly clean and remove stains from your asphalt, follow these steps: Absorb Oil Spots. If

Do you have an asphalt driveway, walkway, or parking lot? When new, asphalt is striking with its deep black color and smooth surface. But how do you keep it that way? You’ve seen the way asphalt fades to gray and develops cracks and bumps over time. This natural deterioration can be avoided with regular asphalt sealcoating. What is Asphalt Sealcoating? Sealcoating for asphalt is a layer of protective liquid that is applied to asphalt. Once it dries it forms a film over your a