Blog

When customers first consult a contractor about having an asphalt parking lot installed, they usually ask how long the lot should last. Contractors evaluate the variables involved, such as the use to which the lot will be subjected and local weather conditions, to arrive at an estimated life. When relaying this number to the customer, virtually every contractor will include the phrase, “with the right maintenance.” Without the right maintenance, an asphalt parking lot can deteriorate much more quickly; however, not all issues are caused by a lack of maintenance. If you find that your parking lot is in shocking condition, or if you are just installing a new asphalt parking lot, the following can help you be proactive about protecting your investment.

Sealcoating On Your Asphalt Paving Lot

Although it is true that asphalt sealcoating can restore asphalt pavement to a lustrous, dark tone by blocking harmful solar radiation, it is also an important protective agent. UV rays dry out asphalt, and dry asphalt is more easily damaged. Sealcoating also helps protect against automotive fluids, which can deteriorate your pavement as well as stain it.

Crack repair is an economical, effective way to prolong the life of asphalt pavement.

Beneath your asphalt paving lot lies compacted foundation material that allows the pavement to support traffic without breaking. Open cracks let water dribble under the pavement, undermining the stability of the foundation. This is frequently the cause of potholes as well as a cracking pattern called alligatored asphalt. When the temperatures drop enough to allow the water to freeze, the effects become even more substantial.

Nearby trees can damage your pavement.

Many property owners believe that trees bordering a parking lot present no risk to nearby pavement. However, there are some trees that put out lateral roots just below the surface that can extend as far as two or three times the tree’s height and sometimes farther. Thus, if you have trees bordering your parking lot that are 20 feet tall, their roots could extend 40 to 60 feet from their trunks. Because lateral roots are often found mere inches below the ground, they can crack or lift your pavement as they grow.

Ice removal needs to be done carefully.

You naturally want to keep your property clear of ice to reduce your potential liabilities on your asphalt paving lot. However, pointed metal shovels, hoes and other sharp tools can gouge your pavement, and some chemical deicers can harm your sealcoating and/or your pavement.

About All Pro Asphalt

At All Pro Asphalt, our only goal is to deliver exceptional work at affordable prices. We provide an extensive range of asphalt maintenance and repair services to residential and commercial customers throughout the Kansas City area. Whether you need infrared asphalt restoration, crack sealing, asphalt paving, sealcoating or pavement markings, our experienced crews are ready to assist you. You can reach us at 816-249-6800 or submit our online form to request a free, no-obligation quote.

The installation of asphalt paving may not look complicated, but there are a lot of different things that a contractor must consider. An experienced asphalt paving contractor knows how to bring all the pieces together to provide an attractive, long-lasting job. If you are not sure how to select the best paving contractor for your job, the following tips may help.

Ask Your Asphalt Paving Contractor About His Experience

Overall experience does not necessarily translate into relevant experience. Paving a highway, a residential driveway, a large parking lot and an airport tarmac all have different logistics requirements and knowledge. Look for a contractor with experience that is relevant to your project.

Ask About His Crew

There are two things you need to know about the crew that will be performing your work. The first is the number of people on the crew. Depending on the scope of the work, most crews average between five and eight members. An insufficient number of workers can cause delays, and if workers are distracted by having to perform too many different tasks, the quality of their work could suffer. The second question you should ask is how much experience each worker has. Naturally, the more experience each member of the crew has, the better, but be wary of a contractor who plans to send you a crew consisting entirely of novices.

Ask About His Insurance

You certainly do not want to be held liable for any of the contractor’s injuries that occur on your property. You also want to know that his insurance will cover any damages to your property whether they result from his vehicles, his work or his crew. Therefore, at a minimum, make sure that he provides workers’ comp for his employees, carries a general liability policy and has appropriate vehicle insurance.

Research Your Asphalt Paving Contractor

Ask for — and check — references. Call his former customers and ask them whether he provided them with quality work and satisfactory customer service. Search online to see if he or his company are discussed in forums or social media. Research your contractor with the Better Business Bureau.

Get Written Quotes from Multiple Contractors

Depending on the scope of your project, you should obtain three or more written quotes from an asphalt paving contractor. Compare them to make sure that the different contractors are quoting the same work in terms of material quality, asphalt depth, project scope and other items.

About All Pro Asphalt

If you are in the greater Kansas City area, All Pro Asphalt would be happy to discuss your asphalt needs. We provide asphalt paving for both residential and commercial customers as well as asphalt repairs, sealcoating, pavement marking and much more. We are proud of the quality of our work as well as our competitive rates. We offer free estimates; use our online form or call 816-249-6800.

A surprising number of business owners consider potholes as little more than a cosmetic flaw. Property management and pothole repair must be addressed. Potholes will reduce the life of your pavement substantially, but they potentially carry substantial liabilities as well. Potholes can damage cars and bikes, but they can also cause injuries to people. Many property management firms and municipalities have already discovered a personal injury suit resulting from a pothole in asphalt pavement can be an expensive proposition.

Why Property Management and Pothole Repair Makes Sense

Dangers Potholes Pose for Pedestrians

Pedestrians comprise the most numerous group to be injured by potholes. They sometimes wrench their ankles when they step into potholes, or they can fall, either from twisting their ankle or from stumbling at the edge of the pothole. If the injury is minor, they are not likely to call an attorney or even report the incident to property management. However, injuries can be much more severe, such as when they strike their head or break their hip.

Dangers Potholes Pose for Cyclists

Bicyclists may constitute the least numerous group, but they often suffer the most severe injuries when they ride into a pothole. Pothole-related injuries to cyclists have included broken vertebrae, arms and legs, closed-head trauma and facial injuries. Most injuries occur when the rider impacts the ground or another stationary object, but cyclists have also been thrown in front of passing cars and trucks.

Dangers Potholes Pose for Drivers

Encountering a pothole can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. The car can enter a lane of oncoming traffic, sideswipe a parked car, strike a tree, hit a cyclist or pedestrian, land in a ditch or even roll if the pothole causes a blowout. Thus, injuries can be minor or severe.

Mitigating Your Risks as a Property Manager

One of the best ways to protect yourself from lawsuits triggered by pothole accidents is to have the potholes repaired. Property management and pothole repair are a concern for all.  All Pro Asphalt is a complete asphalt-maintenance company serving the Kansas City metropolitan area. We repair potholes, asphalt repair, fill cracks, offer asphalt sealcoating, apply pavement markings and provide many other services. Our crews are committed to giving our customers the finest customer service and the best workmanship at affordable rates. Complete our online form to request a free job estimate, or give us a call at 816-249-6800.

Let’s talk about how All Pro Asphalt makes asphalt paving safe.  If you have ever passed an area where asphalt paving was being installed, you might have noticed some of the things that can pose potential hazards to workers. Perhaps you noticed the steam rising from the hopper and realized that the asphalt must be extremely hot. You might have noticed the heavy equipment, or the site might have been receiving a delivery of asphalt from the supplier. You may also have noted how closely vehicles were passing to the workers on the ground.

Why All Pro Asphalt Makes Asphalt Paving Safe

It is true that a paving site can be fraught with potential hazards. However, the risks can be dramatically reduced with proper training — and an employer who fosters an environment in which safety is taken very seriously. At All Pro Asphalt, we make sure that every member of our crew is well-trained in both the actual work and the ways to make the site safer. We hold regular safety meetings and conduct continuous safety training for the protection of our employees as well as others with whom they might encounter while on the job.

We Start with Personal Safety

1. While on the site, all workers are required to wear the designated protective gear.
2. We require all workers to be trained completely on each specific machine before they can operate the machine and on each task before they can perform that task.
3. We instruct employees on basic safety practices, such as not walking behind trucks while they are backing and staying clear of the hopper while asphalt is being loaded.
4. We require all employees to report unsafe situations immediately, and we require supervisors to halt work until the situation is corrected.

We Pay Special Attention to Equipment Operation

1. All equipment must have working emergency, service and parking brakes.
2. Equipment must undergo a safety inspection at the start of every shift.
3. If the operator must step away from his station, he must first idle down the machine and make sure that the parking brake is securely engaged.
4. Operators of paving machines must signal before moving the machine from a stopped position.
5. The speed of the paving machine must be coordinated with the speed of the ground crew.

We Employ Stringent Procedures for Controlling Traffic

1. If work is adjacent to or on a public thoroughfare, we attempt to schedule the work for hours with the lowest volume of traffic.
2. We require the placement of traffic warning signs, barricades, cones or other devices, and we require that these be lit if work is being performed at night.
3. If control devices are insufficient, such as when a two-way road must be reduced to one lane, we require the use of flagmen who are equipped with a two-way radio if they are outside hearing or visual range of the rest of the crew.
4. In areas that permit the practice, we ask for a law enforcement officer to park his vehicle at the start of the work area and to leave his red lights flashing. This tends to draw the attention of motorists and make them proceed more cautiously.

All Pro Asphalt offers asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and maintenance services to customers in the greater Kansas City area. We believe All Pro asphalt makes asphalt paving safe by delivering quality work at affordable rates and offering superior customer service. We work with both residential and commercial property owners who need sealcoating, pavement markings, infrared repairs or other pavement services. You can contact us for a free job quote by submitting our online form or calling 816-249-6800.

It seems to happen every year. As soon as the first freeze arrives or the first snowflake falls, asphalt contractors begin receiving calls from property owners who are worried about the damages that winter weather may cause to their asphalt pavement. One question that is commonly asked is, “Is it too late to have my pavement sealcoated for winter?”

Unfortunately, there is no universal answer to that question. In the Kansas City area, the cutoff date is typically sometime during November. In other parts of the country, sealcoating can be performed into January or even year-round. Sealcoating cannot respond to a calendar — what it responds to is the weather.

• First, there is the issue of temperature. Sealcoating is not engineered to be applied when air and ground temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the minimum temperature for a successful application, and temperatures cannot drop below that point until the sealcoating is completely cured.
• Before starting a sealcoating job, contractors must make sure that the forecast does not include predictions of snow, rain or sleet. Until sealcoating has completely cured, any water — including dew — can ruin the sealant.
• Sealcoating needs several hours of sunlight to cure. During the winter months, there are fewer hours of sunlight, so one coat is usually all that can be applied in one day. The second coat will normally have to wait until the following day. If the skies are overcast or the area is in shade, the curing time can be extended dramatically.

Although it is true that sealcoating is an important part of protecting your asphalt pavement, it may not be possible to have sealcoating applied in winter. Instead, have cracks filled and potholes repaired to prevent further damage — and schedule a sealcoating application for the spring.

At All Pro Asphalt, we pride ourselves on delivering a quality product at affordable prices. Whether you need sealcoating, infrared asphalt repairs, crack filling, parking lot striping or any other asphalt maintenance service, our staff members have the experience to exceed your expectations. You can request a free quote by submitting our online form or calling 816-249-6800.

Asphalt pavement is a cost-effective, durable and attractive option for parking lots, driveways, sports courts and roadways. When asphalt pavement deteriorates prematurely, it is usually the result of inadequate maintenance although improper installation or faulty engineering can also be contributors.

Inadequate Maintenance

Natural forces, such as UV radiation, and manmade hazards, such as automotive fluids, can damage your asphalt pavement.

• Sealcoating can screen out the UV rays that can age your pavement prematurely, just as sunscreens help protect your skin from premature aging.
• Sealcoating also slows the rate at which automotive fluids can reach — and damage — the binders holding your pavement together.

However, when it comes to inadequate maintenance, the leading cause is allowing cracks and potholes to go without repair. Breaks in the pavement allow water to reach the foundation that gives pavement its needed support. The movement of the water destabilizes the foundation, and the freeze/thaw cycle only makes the problem worse.

Installation/Engineering Errors

There are many factors that must be considered when an asphalt contractors plans for installation.  For example, the thickness of the asphalt layers must be sufficient to accommodate the volume and the weight of the traffic. If these calculations are incorrect, or if the usage of the pavement is changed after installation, the pavement will deteriorate at a much faster rate. Other factors that must be considered include drainage, runoff from surrounding properties and the depth and type of foundation.

When installing asphalt pavement, contractors must make sure that the foundation is properly compacted so that it can provide the stability that asphalt pavement needs. The asphalt itself must be at the “Goldilocks” temperature — neither too hot nor too cold — when it is applied. The formula for the mix must be “just right” as well. Miscalculations during the installation process can lead to pavement failure, sometimes within the pavement’s first year or two of life.

At All Pro Asphalt, we are committed to providing exceptional results at competitive prices. All Pro Asphalt offers an extensive range of services, including asphalt paving, sealcoating, crack repairs and parking lot striping. To request a free estimate, just complete our online form or give us a call at 816-249-6800.

Like many laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act has been amended since it became effective in 1992. Some of the changes were the result of civil suits that led to expanding definitions or clarifying terms. However, the sections regarding parking lot design have been largely unchanged in the intervening years.

• At least one handicapped space must meet the guidelines for van parking. This space should be the one in closest proximity to the entrance to your building.
• All spaces reserved for handicapped parking, including the van-accessible spaces, must be 8 feet or more in width.
• All handicapped spaces are to provide access aisles on each side although adjacent handicapped spaces may share the aisle they have in common. Aisles should be no less than 8 feet in width for van parking and no less than 5 feet for all other handicapped parking spaces.
• Paths between handicapped spaces and the entrance to your building should follow a direct route along the shortest distance. These paths should not go behind parked vehicles. If a lane of traffic lies between your entrance and the space, a crosswalk must be provided.
• At minimum, every handicapped space must be identified with a sign affixed at the front of the space. The standard sign bears a symbol of a wheelchair against a field of blue. Pavement markings alone are not a substitute for signage. If the space is for van parking, a sign to that effect should be part of the ADA signage.
• The total parking spaces provided in the lot determines the minimum number of handicapped spaces required. To illustrate, a parking lot with 75 total spaces must provide three or more handicapped spaces; a lot with 200 total spaces needs six or more handicapped spaces; and a lot with 300 total spaces must provide seven or more handicapped spaces.

All Pro Asphalt can help you ensure that your parking lot complies with all of the requirements mandated by the ADA. We are an asphalt maintenance company serving the greater Kansas City area with exceptional results at competitive prices. In addition to parking lot striping and pavement marking, we offer asphalt paving, repairs and sealcoating. Request a free quote by completing our online form, or call our office at 816-249-6800.

Autumn can be a busy time for many people. Once the leaves turn and cooler temperatures arrive, they start preparing for winter. Homeowners may install new weather stripping around doors or windows. Automotive supply stores often increase their inventory of car batteries, windshield deicer and antifreeze. Retailers lay in a supply of sand or rock salt to help keep their areas safer for their customers. Utility companies check for low-hanging branches that could take down lines in the event of an ice storm.

In addition, people are often distracted by planning for the upcoming holidays. There may be family get-togethers to plan for Thanksgiving or travel arrangements to make, but at the same time, chores may have increased. The lawn mower may go into storage, but the rake may need to come out. Gutters may need to be cleaned or repaired. Chimneys may require cleaning to get the fireplace ready for the upcoming early, cold nights.

Amid all the activity, it is understandable that the condition of your asphalt pavement could be overlooked. However, you could be making a costly mistake if you do not make sure that your pavement is ready for cold weather.

• Cold weather makes existing asphalt cracks worse, resulting in more costly repairs later. In the Kansas City area, extended freezes are rare; instead, there are several freeze/thaw cycles in an average winter, and your pavement will suffer from each cycle.
• Leaving potholes or asphalt cracks unrepaired over the winter increases the chances that water infiltration will occur. One of the fastest ways to destroy asphalt pavement is to allow water to erode the foundation supporting it. Foundation repair requires removing the damaged asphalt pavement and then installing new pavement.
• The combination of water and freezing temperatures can make your pavement less safe. Potholes filled with ice pose a skidding hazard for drivers and a slipping hazard for pedestrians.

If you need help getting your asphalt pavement ready for winter, contact the experts at All Pro Asphalt. We can repair cracks and potholes, do asphalt repair, or provide any other asphalt paving or maintenance service. Our goal is to provide customers throughout the greater Kansas City area with quality workmanship at competitive rates. Use our online form to request your free estimate, or give us a call at 816-249-6800.

Whether you enjoy compiling a budget or dread it, you may spend a significant amount of time during the fourth quarter on the task. Some of your expenses are probably fixed, with little variation from month to month or year to year. Others — such as asphalt paving and maintenance — can fluctuate wildly from one year to the next. Since asphalt pavement that is cared for properly can have its life extended dramatically, you want to ensure that you budget the funds to keep it in good repair. However, you may be wondering the best way to predict which services you will likely need over the next 12 months. Here is some advice on setting a budget for your asphalt pavement maintenance.

• Asphalt pavement that is over 10 years old may be due for renovation in the most heavily used areas. Inspect these areas carefully to decide whether they will need special attention within the next year.
• Sealcoating is one of the most powerful tools in an asphalt contractor‘s toolbox. It brings back asphalt’s color, but it also helps protect your pavement from damage. Most asphalt pavement needs to be sealed every two or three years, but your actual frequency could vary by a year. One of the easiest ways to tell if it is time to reapply sealcoating is to check the color of your pavement. If it is faded to a dull gray, you need sealcoating.
• If you have cracks or potholes in your pavement, you will need to have them repaired. Should water enter through them, it can damage the base upon which the pavement relies for strength. The base can become destabilized, requiring replacement of the pavement as well as base repairs.
• Asphalt pavement does not “play well” with the fluids used in automotive vehicles. These fluids can destroy your sealcoating, and when they reach your pavement, it will begin to break down. You might want to consider adding routine, periodic cleanings to remove these fluids.

At All Pro Asphalt, we have learned that every $2 you spend on maintaining your asphalt pavement can save you $4 to $8 in future repair costs. We are a full-service asphalt repair and maintenance company serving the greater Kansas City area. Whether you need sealcoating, infrared pothole repairs, crack filling or pavement markings, we can help. We offer quality results at affordable rates. If you would like to receive a free quote, submit our online form or call us at 816-249-6800.

No, do not attempt to fill cracks with sealer. It is not going to give you the results that you need. Instead, have a reliable asphalt professional repair the cracks properly by using asphalt to fill them.

Think of it this way: If you had a leather jacket with a tear in it, would you patch it with a piece of silk? Theoretically, you could, but what would happen? The silk patch would tear away from the leather when you moved. It would also wear out long before the surrounding leather. You would still have a torn jacket, but you might also need to repair the holes left by stitching the silk to the leather.

Whether mending a jacket or filling a crack in asphalt pavement, matching materials are important if you want the best results. When you try to mend a crack in asphalt pavement with sealer, the sealer will wear out long before the surrounding asphalt. Sealer is much harder and less pliable than asphalt, so it cannot expand and contract as the seasons change. It will flake or crumble, allowing the crack to reappear very quickly. However, if the crack is filled with rubberized asphalt, the fill material and the surrounding pavement can expand and contract in unison.

Sealcoating is an excellent way to prolong the life of your asphalt pavement, but it needs to be used appropriately and not for filling cracks. Crack filling and sealcoating are both necessary if you want to maximize the return on your investment in asphalt, but they need to be done correctly. It is also important to make sure that you have all cracks in your asphalt filled before winter. Snow and ice can wreak havoc on cracked asphalt if the melt water seeps beneath the pavement and erodes the base, and the freeze/thaw process can also cause further damage.

All Pro Asphalt provides an extensive range of services, including crack repair, asphalt paving, sealcoating, parking lot striping and infrared repairs. We are committed to providing customers throughout the greater Kansas City area with the quality work at affordable rates. You can send us your information by submitting our quote request form online, or you can call us at (816) 249-6800.