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The Advantages of Installing an Oxford, Pennsylvania Tar and Chip Driveway

admin — Thu, 05 May 2022 12:59:01 +0000

A tar and chip surface blends a flat paving material with a stone mix.

If the appearance of your driveway isn’t what you desire, then you should look into tar and chip as an option. A tar and chip surface blends a flat paving material with a stone mix. Before you decide, read about how this paving solution works and the advantages of installing it.

What is Tar and Chip?

A commercial paving company usually uses an asphalt mix to make the base and integrates stones to produce a surface that appears like gravel. So, they might begin by spreading the gravel stones over your driveway. Then, the commercial paving contractor pours an asphalt mix over the rocks and compresses them. As the mixture cools and sets, it connects the stones and produces a new surface.

Alternatively, a full-service paving contractor may work the other way around. They put down the asphalt first before putting the stones to the surface. Then, the stones are submerged into the asphalt when they solidify the mix.

The Look of Gravel without the Struggle

Moreover, if you choose to use tar and chip for your driveway, you will receive a gravel surface with no hassle. You don’t get a regular blacktop effect when using asphalt to make the surface. The stones embedded in the mix give the driveway a gravel surface. However, tar and chip have the upper hand over gravel. Its rocks are submerged into the surface and attached to the nearby asphalt.

Tar and chip won’t flow off the driveway into your grass, and they won’t assemble in piles as you drive over your driveway. In addition, you can use various types, sizes, and colors of stones to receive the design you desire when you create an asphalt driveway.

Quick Tar & Chip Installation & Less Maintenance

Furthermore, the driveway doesn’t need many time-consuming preparation steps as the installation is a fast process. Plus, the final result is ready to use a lot faster. Also, most driveways need constant maintenance. For instance, an asphalt driveway requires frequent seal coating to maintain it in excellent condition.

Instead, a tar and chip driveway doesn’t require seal coating. If your driveway does produce minor cracks, these cracks usually fill in during the warmer weather. The asphalt mix seals the cracks, and the stones enfold any small damaged areas.

Tar & Chip Provides Strong Traction

Lastly, a paved asphalt driveway is mostly smooth. However, this can be an issue when rain or snow settles on the asphalt surface. Also, you might slip on the surface if you walk on it. In contrast, tar and chip material are not as smooth as other paving options. The stones slightly poke out, providing the driveway a better anti-slip surface.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company for your driveway?

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to 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 the 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.

The post The Advantages of Installing an Oxford, Pennsylvania Tar and Chip Driveway appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Asphalt Seal-Coating Prolongs the Life of Your Delaware Driveway

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 18:20:35 +0000

Two coats of sealant are applied to the driveway or parking lot using a squeegee or sprayer.

Asphalt driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks are big investments! They are expensive and time-consuming to install, but with proper care and maintenance, they can last up to twelve years! Something you can do to prolong the life of your driveway is seal-coating your asphalt. Read on to find out more about the asphalt seal-coating process!

What is Seal-Coating?

Asphalt seal-coating acts as a barrier between your asphalt and the elements – water, ice, car fluids, the sun, salt and other chemicals, which might destroy the structural integrity of your driveway. The sealant is usually a coal tar emulsion, making it very resistant to water, gas, oil, salt, and UV radiation. Think of asphalt sealant like sunscreen for your driveway!

How Is It Applied?

Asphault seal-coating is best done by professionals, who will have the appropriate safety equipment and technique for handling the sealant.

First, the asphalt will be cleaned to remove all dirt and debris, using a combination of brooms, blowers, and pressure washers. The sealant will coat and remaining debris, and cause flaking, weak spots in the seal-coating. Once the pavement is clean, any remaining chemical spots – such as oil or anti-freeze – will be treated with a priming liquid to make sure that the seal-coating will stick.

Two coats of sealant are applied to the driveway or parking lot using a squeegee or sprayer, with some time allowed for it to dry between coats. It is very important to give the seal-coating enough time to dry and cure before using the asphalt. If used too soon, you could see unexpected early wear and tear or tire markings in the seal-coating. Try to give the asphalt at least 24 hours before seeing any traffic.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company?

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.

The post Asphalt Seal-Coating Prolongs the Life of Your Delaware Driveway appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Creative Driveway Design

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 17:40:52 +0000

Gravel driveways are easy on the budget and adding gravel periodically is quicker than sealing an asphalt driveway.

Your driveway doesn’t have to be a boring slab of asphalt – modern day driveways include colors, patterns, and landscaping building right in. Take a moment to read about some of the recent creative driveway design trends to gracing modern homes.

Permeable Pavers

Rain water taxes don’t appeal to anyone. One option to reduce your environmental impact and your tax bill is to use permeable pavers as part of your driveway. Permeable paving in a grid running in the same direction of your house can extend the architectural appearance of your home while allowing water to percolate down through the earth instead of running off site. You can even add a parking spot for your car by creating runners in the grass.

Pea Gravel

For a cozier, Old-World feel to your driveway design, consider doing a gravel driveway. Gravel driveways are easy on the budget and adding gravel periodically is quicker than sealing an asphalt driveway. Gravel driveways are also permeable, so no additional rain water taxes! However, gravel driveways can produce a lot of dust and weeds, so be ready to spray your driveway down with weed killer during the spring and summer.

Mixed Materials

Uninterrupted stretches of dull concrete can be a design bummer. Get creative with your driveway design by mixing materials – try adding a paver border, interior bands, or brick insets to add visual interest.

Landscaping

Incorporating your landscape into your driveway design. Low shrubs or small flowering plants are great for disguising and softening the edge of a driveway. Or add a raised border or flower bed to the edge of the driveway. Adding color and texture to your driveway design can provide a visual distraction from the utilitarian purpose of the hardscaping.

Stamped Asphalt

If you’re stuck with an asphalt driveway, consider getting it reshaped and resealed. Previously laid asphalt can be rewarmed and treated if it’s in good condition. An asphalt contractor can apply a pattern to warmed asphalt using large stamp templates. The surface can then be sprayed with a colored sealer to create beautiful brick or stone appearances.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company?

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 post Creative Driveway Design appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Getting your Driveway ready for Fall

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 17:19:27 +0000

Get your driveway ready for this.

Fall is the perfect time to catch up on any driveway maintenance that you haven’t gotten finished yet. The mild weather is the perfect backdrop for repairing potholes, cracks, or other problems before the ice and snow hit. So, today we’re going to be talking about the kinds of things you should take a look at while fall is in bloom. Are you ready to learn more? Well, let’s do it!

Cleaning is the first step to success.

Using the proper equipment, you should clean the driveway. You can use a broom, a leaf blower, or a power washer to get this done. Just make sure that the asphalt or concrete is clean and dry before you do anything else. If you spill any oil or other chemicals on your driveway, then you should clean them immediately to prevent serious damage. Leaving gas or oil on your driveway can lead to issues with the sealant. Without the seal-coating, your driveway can develop cracks and those can quickly grow out of control. Once you’ve cleaned your driveway to the best of your ability, it’s time to get it fixed up.

Repair and seal your driveway.

Before the cold comes, you should make sure that your property has been properly sealed. Sealing your asphalt and concrete is going to help keep moisture from creating problems down the line; this includes potholes. Winter is pothole season, so get ready for it. If you need help with sealing and repairing your driveway, you can call on us to help you.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company?

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 post Getting your Driveway ready for Fall appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Thinking about Paving Maintenance in Oxford?

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 23:00:05 +0000

Paving maintenance is a great way to end the summer.

It can be easy to forget about taking care of the paving and other concrete structures in your life. We walk and drive on them every day, but we don’t often give them much thought. Today we’re going to be talking about some of the maintenance items you might want to invest in before winter hits Oxford. Are you ready to learn more about paving maintenance? Well, let’s do it!

Taking care of your driveway.

Winter is traditionally pretty hard on concrete and asphalt. The cold usually wreaks havoc on them. So, if you’re going to do some maintenance, then this is the time. After all, preemptive maintenance can be very helpful. It will keep your driveway fortified for the colder months. Any cracks or chips should be tended to before they get worse. You should also avoid getting oil or gas on your driveway so that you can ensure a long life for your pavement. Whether your driveway is residential or commercial, you’ll want to make sure it’s safe to drive on. Once the snow hits, you can call us to help remove your snow as well.

Check on your curbs.

When cars run into curbs, they can leave some heavy damages. This can escalate without proper maintenance. If you think that your curbs are looking a little shabby, then give us a call. We can help you check them out. Our methods of repair are quick and they will last for a long time. We want to help you protect your investment. Paving maintenance of any kind is a great way to keep your home and neighborhood looking fresh and inviting.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company?

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 post Thinking about Paving Maintenance in Oxford? appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Asphalt: A Need-to-Know Guide

admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 20:45:12 +0000

Asphalt is a fantastic paving material.

Asphalt is all around us all the time. Roads, driveways, and even shingles can be made out of this material. It’s relatively cheap and decently sturdy, making it an excellent material for a new driveway, but what should you know before going in? There’s a lot that you should know, but don’t worry. We’re going to be giving you the rundown on this material today. Ready to learn more about asphalt? Well, let’s get going!

What are the benefits of using asphalt for your next project?

Well, the biggest benefit of using asphalt is probably that it provides a smooth and comfortable place to drive or bike over. The fact that it is cost-efficient simply puts icing on the cake. Though your asphalt won’t last forever, it will last quite a while. This makes it a great investment for a driveway or road that leads up to your home.

What should you worry about?

Despite the fact that asphalt lasts a long time, it can deteriorate. This deterioration can happen very quickly, so it’s in your best interest to monitor your asphalt throughout the year. You should keep an extra keen eye on it during the winter months, when asphalt is most likely to develop potholes. Now, to keep your asphalt in good condition, you should try to repair cracks as soon as they form. As we said, the deterioration can happen quickly, so jump on it as soon as possible. This will lengthen the life of your asphalt.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company?

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 post Asphalt: A Need-to-Know Guide appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Asphalt or Concrete for your New Driveway?

admin — Fri, 08 May 2015 17:05:41 +0000

Which sort of driveway is right for your home ?

Both materials are very popular for driveways, but how do you know which one is right for you? Well, today we’re going to compare the two materials and you can assess which one will better suit your needs. Remember to keep in mind the amount of stress you think you will be imposing on the driveway, your budget, and your aesthetic. All of these things will play a part in your final decision. Here we go!

Asphalt Driveway

The average asphalt driveway is going to last your about twenty years, but there will probably be quite a bit of maintenance you will need to perform on it during that time. Repairing asphalt isn’t very difficult though, so don’t write it off just yet. It should also be mentioned that asphalt driveways cost less than your average concrete driveway. They handle spills decently well, but they are often cracked by harsh weather. Cold in particular can lead to potholes. Another great thing about asphalt is that it is ready to go very quickly after it is laid.

Concrete Driveway

Though more expensive, this material is great for longevity. It averages about ten more years than an asphalt driveway. Concrete also holds up pretty well over time and requires a lot less repair work. This is good because repairing concrete can be a hassle and the patches are much more obvious. Concrete doesn’t appreciate oil and gasoline spills and will become stained easier than asphalt. Another disadvantage to using concrete is that you cannot walk or drive on it for seven days after it is poured.

So, what do you think? Will you choose asphalt or concrete for your next driveway?

Ready to invest in your new driveway?

Tri-State Paving and Construction has provided exceptional asphalt and concrete services for over 40 years. Powered by information and run by the consumer, we strive to put forth the best in concrete and paving for all of our customers while giving them as much insight as possible.

We perform road construction, paving services and decoration for curbs and walls. We’re available to work in both commercial and residential settings, giving you the options you need to get the best job done right. Contact us online or call the location nearest you:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

The post Asphalt or Concrete for your New Driveway? appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Do you have grass growing in your driveway?

admin — Sun, 03 May 2015 17:10:12 +0000

Got grass growing in your pavement?

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.

Kill the grass!

The best thing to begin with is to remove the grass altogether. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. You can go out onto your driveway and remove the grass by hand. You can also purchase some weed killer and douse the grass in it. Now, this is not always the best option because weed killer is full of harmful chemicals that can create a hazardous environment for local wildlife or pets. If you want a more natural solution, then you can try boiling water mixed with a little salt. You simply mix it up and pour it over the problem areas. Once you’ve done that, you can cover the cracks with baking soda so that the seedlings won’t continue to come back. Leave your baking soda to work for two days. Once you’ve done that, it’s time for the next step.

Cover the cracks!

The best way to keep grass from growing in the cracks of your concrete or asphalt is to not have any cracks! You can seal up a few cracks here and there yourself, but you should consider having your driveway repaired in a more lasting way as soon as possible. We have talked about the benefits of our infrared repair system, if you’d like to get a clearer picture of what that is like. We can also seal the cracks for you, or even just repave the whole driveway.

Tired of grass growing in your driveway?

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

The post Do you have grass growing in your driveway? appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

How to Keep Your Driveway Free of Cracks

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 22:39:45 +0000

Have you got cracks in your concrete or asphalt?

This 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.

Before You Pour

One of the best ways to minimize the damage of cracking is to create joints before the concrete is poured. Think of a joint as a controlled crack. If the concrete has a decent amount of joints, then there will be less chance of having lots and lots of cracks throughout the concrete. Large sheets are more likely to crack, simple as that.

Sealant is also very helpful

Concrete sealant can help you once the cracks have already happened. You can buy some at the local hardware store to fill in small cracks like a caulk. Now, it should be said that sealant will not completely fix your concrete. It will only provide a temporary repair. The best way to completely fix your pavement is to simply replace it. In the event that you cannot replace your driveway, you can have it sealed professionally so that you can rest assured that the cracks are going to get worse.

If you think your concrete could use replacement 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 surfaces 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+

The post How to Keep Your Driveway Free of Cracks appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.