Concrete and Stone Steps: Do They Need Replacing?

March 23rd, 2015

Don't let a small fracture become a large fissure.

Don’t let a small fracture become a large fissure.

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+

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Pothole Season Has Begun

March 18th, 2015
These little fellas can become dangerous problems if left unchecked.

These little fellas can become dangerous problems if left unchecked.

It’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+.

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The Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Area

March 16th, 2015

hard_walks_patios_4_lrgLast 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, 2015

hard_walks_patios_4_lrgWhether 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.

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The Importance of Winter Maintenance For Your Patio

March 2nd, 2015

winter maintenanceWinter 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.

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Winter Care Tips for your Asphalt

February 23rd, 2015

Outdoor-Lighting-SafetyWe just had our first real taste of winter this year with this past week’s snowstorm. If you haven’t done anything to care for or protect your property’s asphalt yet, now is the time to take action before the next storm hits. The mixture of snow, sleet, salt, and freezing temperatures can definitely take a toll on your roads. Technically, preparing your asphalt for winter should begin in the summer. However, snow isn’t really the first thing you think about in blazing hot temperatures. So, we’ll begin with winter care tips you can use this season, and follow with tips to keep in mind to prepare for next season.

For this season:

  • Snow removal. Removing snow from your roadways or parking lots is very important. Hiring a professional to do the job is even more important. Professionals know how to properly remove the snow without doing damage to the road.
  • Be aware. You’ll want to make sure you keep an eye on the asphalt throughout the winter for cracking, potholes, and other harmful effects resulting from the snow and cold weather. Be sure to get small damages fixed right away to prevent them from turning into much larger problems.

For next season:

  • Have the asphalt sealed. This will help to keep water from soaking into the pavement and causing damage. Sealing in small cracks and areas in the summer and fall months will help you avoid the melting and freezing process that can occur under the asphalt in the winter months. The constant melting and freezing causes the asphalt to expand and contract over and over again, resulting in big potholes.

So before you do any more damage to your asphalt, be sure to keep these winter care tips in mind! Fixing small problems now will save you in the long run.

If you’re looking to repair your asphalt this season, or sealcoat your asphalt next season, call Tristate Paving! We specialize in sealcoating and infrared asphalt repair, which you can read about here. We serve both commercial and residential properties.

If you want to keep your asphalt looking and performing great, then contact us for professional asphalt services. Our experienced paving professionals have plenty of experience and can take care of your asphalt needs quickly, and at an affordable price. At Tristate Paving we take great pride in our customer service, so give us a call today!

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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Repaving and Romance

February 9th, 2015

RomanceIt may seem unusual, but it’s true: Repaving your driveway can definitely show your mate how much you care. Let’s say you want to give your significant other a gift this Valentine’s Day. You want to get them something extravagant, something flashy. You could get them some jewelry, but that seems too obvious. If you’re looking for something that’s both impressive and practical you can invest in repaving their driveway.

Why is this romantic?

If you and your partner have been together for a long time then it’s possible that you’ve had some bumps and bruises in your relationship. Maybe they’ve lost someone close to them, maybe you have. In a way, that cracked pavement outside of your house is probably symbolic of some cracks in your life. Why not repave it? Why not use this opportunity to repave your life as well. You can share your vision for a newly paved driveway with your mate and show them that you wish to repave your lives together.

What are my options?

Maybe you don’t need to repave your driveway, but there are many more options for you and your partner. Hardscaping projects often combine practical needs with aesthetic vision. You and your loved one can plan one together, share your ideas, and fall in love all over again. You can add that pond you always dreamed of and they can choose the type of stone. Designing something together will show you different sides of one another. Maybe your partner has a gift you never knew about, or maybe you have a real eye for shape you can share. Building something new together will rekindle the flame between you and every time you look at that project you will be reminded of how strong your bond is.

Bonds as strong as stone.

It may seem cheesy to make grand gestures for the one you love, or to repave your driveway together, but creativity goes a long way. Using creative, unusual methods of bonding shows that you are thinking more deeply about your relationship than just choosing the obvious methods of bonding.

 

If you’re ready to build a stronger future with your mate 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+.

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Turn your Backyard into the Perfect Escape with some Hardscaping Features

February 2nd, 2015

hard_walks_patios_4_lrgTake your backyard back from the weeds and your dog, and extend the living space of your home out into your backyard. Starting with a patio base, built around a centerpiece table, bar, fire pit, or outdoor fireplace, and dressed with other hardscaping features such as walkways, walls, columns, steps and terraces, you can build an exotic retreat from your normal home reminiscent of the Hamptons, a Spanish villa, a southwestern pueblo, or anything else you can imagine.

The Patio Base

The patio will serve as the base of your backyard retreat, so don’t neglect it in favor of the other “more exciting” hardscaping features. As the base it will be the unifying feature between all of your other hardscaping features, and will be where you, your family, and guests gather for out door gatherings and parties.  Choose your theme and plan the layout of your patio carefully. Use interesting shapes in the design like irregular ovals, or raised terraces, but remember to keep it practical to host for guests (unless you want to keep this retreat to yourself). Pick out materials to match your chosen theme, you can keep it regular throughout the hardscaping, or vary it with complimentary or contrasting colors, textures, and shapes. Building short walls around the patio helps keep the backyard from spilling onto the space, and can serve as impromptu seating for guests. Finally, consider a walkway from the backdoor to your patio and from your patio to your fence gate can save your grass from wear and tear.

The Centerpiece

Having a centerpiece for your patio, gives it a focal center, or gathering point for you and your guests to gather around at parties.  There are many options that can serve as the centerpiece of your patio, each providing a different flavor to your outdoor living space. A dinning table for you and your guests to sit and eat at would be best used during the spring, summer, and fall. A bar can be a great place for summer fun, especially for your Fourth of July barbecue. And a fire pit or out door fireplace work well as a gathering place for you and your guests to sit around, drink warm drinks, and reminisce beside year round.  Of course, if you wanted to and you had a big enough patio, you could have all of the features described above.

Other Hardscaping Features

There are many other hardscaping features that could be employed to help beautify your backyard, and make it a fun place to entertain. If you have an uneven backyard having the patio on different leveled terraces, with steps, and retaining walls can make it a more interesting area to inhabit. If your backyard gets lots of sunlight you might consider a cover with hardscaped columns supporting it to match your other décor. You could hardscape elevated planters held in with retaining walls. You could even use hardscaping with a water feature to make a fountain or waterfall to add a relaxing note of gurgling water to your backyard escape.

Hardscaping from Tri-State Paving

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 your patio 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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Reasons to Consider a Concrete Driveway

January 20th, 2015

concrete drivewayInstalled properly, and well maintained, a concrete driveway represents an investment in your homes equity and an increase to its value over the cost of installation. Though the initial cost is greater then that of an asphalt driveway a concrete driveway pays for itself over time by improving your homes curb appeal, increasing the longevity of your driveway, while reducing the maintenance costs and the negative environmental impact. Here we have the reasons why it makes sense to invest in a concrete driveway for the long term advantage of your home.

Curb Appeal

Curb appeal can account for up to 10 percent of your homes value.  As the bridge between your private property and the public street your driveway makes a significant impact on the overall curb appeal. The ability to customize a concrete driveway to match your home and landscaping gives it a distinct advantage over a traditional asphalt driveway. Decorative concrete made using stamps and stains can give you a durable surface with the texture and color of flagstone, cobbles, or brick for the faction of the price.  Furthermore, the same style decorative concrete can be used for your walkway, steps, and porch providing a unifying effect; or you can use a different texture and color for each surface to provide contrast and definition.

Maintenance and Longevity

Maintaining concrete is simple and inexpensive, and by taking just a few measures you can ensure a good looking and durable surface for up to thirty years. Concrete may be sealed to reduce the prevalence of stains from oil or gasoline spills, but sealing is not necessary. If oil or gas is spilled immediate treatment with a degreaser should keep the concrete nice and clean.  Concrete should not be treated with deicing chemicals, or salt. By following these guidelines you can keep your concrete driveway looking clean and in good repair for up to thirty years.

Environmentally Friendly

An added bonus of having a concrete driveway is that they’re more environmentally friendly then a regular asphalt driveway.  Concrete is made from sand, stone, and is held together by cement.  Asphalt is made of sand and stone, but is held together by tar instead of cement. Not only is tar nonrenewable petroleum based product, but when oil or gas are spilled on it some is picked up and added to the chemical run off.  Additionally, the dark color of asphalt absorbs more light, causing it to heat up.  The lighter color of concrete reflects the light instead, reducing warming. Finally, because the concrete requires less maintenance it means that there’s less harmful chemical run when compared to asphalt.

Want a Concrete Instillation Quote?

Call Tri-state Paving. Our experienced paving professionals have plenty of experience with concrete driveway installation quickly, and at an affordable price. At Tristate Paving we take great pride in our customer service and we’ll be more than happy to sit down and figure out what concrete driveway instillation options works best for you.

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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Do I Need to Replace, Repair, or Resurface My Driveway?

January 16th, 2015

There’s nothing quite like driving down a long stretch of exquisite asphalt. However, while driveways are an important portion of any home, they’re also somewhat costly. That’s why many homeowners, upon noticing driveway damage, will attempt to patch it up rather than opt for resurfacing or replacing. While this can cost less in the short run, if the damage is extensive enough, it will only lead to more problems, costing you quite a lot later. Tristate paving is here with a guide to knowing when you can patch your driveway, and when you need to resurface or replace.

asphalt sealing

When to Repair

Between water damage caused by freezing and thawing over the seasons, and the sheer work of supporting heavy cars that roll over them daily, driveways take a lot of abuse. If you spot cracks that have a width of less than ¼ in, you probably only have surface level damage and this can easily be fixed with a liquid crack-filler. However, wider cracks will require taking measures that are more substantial. While you can temporarily cover up these cracks with patching material, this is only a stop-gap fix that will soon wear out.

When to Replace

If your driveway is more than 20 years old, it’s most likely best to have it replaced. After this much time under elemental exposure, even the best driveways can break down. Patching these antiques is won’t be worth the trouble or cost. Your driveway may not even have a structural problem to necessitate replacement. Oftentimes, new homeowners or those looking to sell the house will replace for the visual appeal. Patching isn’t invisible and can sometimes look unsightly.

When to Resurface

If you know repairing won’t be enough, but replacement is too expensive, there is an “in-between” option that’s typically only offered by top quality asphalt repair companies like Tristate Paving. It’s called resurfacing. Resurfacing essentially strips off your driveway’s top layer and replaces it, resulting in a driveway that appears brand-spanking-new, but costs much less than a total replacement. While this won’t fix issues with the foundation, you won’t be seeing any cracks or potholes for awhile either.

Need Driveway Repair, Replacement, or Resurfacing?

Call Tristate Paving. Our experienced paving professionals have plenty of experience with driveway repair, resurfacing, and replacement, and can take care of your asphalt installation or repair needs quickly, and at an affordable price. At Tristate Paving we take great pride in our customer service and we’ll be more than happy to sit down and figure out what asphalt repair option works best for you.

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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