CONCRETE OR ASPHALT PAVING ARTICLES

5 Considerations to Make When Budgeting for an Asphalt Paving Project

It’s no secret that every asphalt paving job is different, which is why determining a few things up front to help get an idea of how much yours will cost is essential. Whether you need to repave your driveway or another area on your property, the team from Blalock Paving is here to help.

We’ve been performing driveway repair in Raleigh, North Carolina, for decades and we’ve seen every type of job there is. So, if you’re wondering how much yours will cost, here are some important budget questions to ask.

1. What’s the Surface’s Intended Use Once Paved?

Once your paving job is complete, how will the surface be used? Will you use it as a driveway or perhaps a walkway or parking lot? Being clear about the use of your newly paved surface is important because depending upon the traffic you expect on it, professional paving contractors will often recommend different thicknesses, especially for higher-traffic areas. This could increase your budget.

2. What is Your Preferred Type of Asphalt?

There are different types of asphalt that can be used for different purposes. For example, hot-mix asphalt, one of the most commonly used types, is heated, and poured and can be easily customized. There’s also cold-mix asphalt that’s more suited to colder temperatures and repels water. Lastly, porous asphalt is designed to make it easy for water to seep through into the ground underneath.

3. What’s Your Existing Asphalt’s Current Condition?

Determining your asphalt’s current condition will impact how much work needs to be done. For example, asphalt with cracks, potholes, pooling water, or shifting pieces of blacktop will often require extensive repairs. However, a few minor cracks may simply require sealing.

4. What is the Condition of Your Underlying Soil?

The condition and soil type that will serve as the foundation for your asphalt can also play a role in your budget. This is because different types of soil may require more compaction than others, increasing the amount of labor needed on your project. This may also mean a thicker top layer of asphalt will be needed.

5. What is the Extent of Your Project?

How big is your asphalt project? Do you know how much prep work may be involved? Larger projects like parking lots and parks will require a lot more work than simple driveways and walkways, so be sure to keep this in mind.

Contact us today for driveway repair in Raleigh, North Carolina

For asphalt driveway repair and more, contact us online today for a FREE estimate or call (919) 782-5740.

June 4, 2023

Why Removing Your Concrete Driveway Before Laying Asphalt is Key

Asphalt, Concrete

Over the years, even the most durable driveway materials like concrete will begin breaking down, showing cracks and causing other problems. If you don’t deal with it ASAP, it can create potholes and sinkholes. That’s why many choose to invest in a driveway material that’s easier to maintain, such as asphalt.

However, the Raleigh driveway contractors from Blalock Paving recommend removing all of your concrete driveway before asphalt installation, here’s why.

Developing a Strong Foundation

One of the primary reasons to remove your old cracked concrete driveway before installing an asphalt one is to give it the strongest foundation possible. Additionally, concrete driveway contractors don’t spend as much time preparing the base as asphalt driveway contractors do. This could lead to cracks and other issues down the road.

Extended Lifespan

If you want your new asphalt driveway to last as long as possible, then removing that underlying concrete driveway is a must. Although simply paving over your current concrete driveway might seem more affordable upfront, the amount of repairs and maintenance you’ll need to pay for over the years adds up quickly. Since asphalt expands and contracts with temperature changes, concrete is unable to provide the foundation it needs for optimal performance.

Cost-Savings

As mentioned above, by removing your old concrete driveway and having professional asphalt driveway contractors create a firm base to install your asphalt driveway, you’ll save money in the long run. This is because it drastically minimizes the chance of developing cracks and potholes, and if your driveway does develop them over the years, sealing and repairing them is much easier.

Let Blalock Paving be your Raleigh driveway contractors

Since 1968, the team from Blalock Paving has been installing top-quality asphalt driveways throughout Raleigh, as well as providing outstanding maintenance and repairs. Not only is our team fully licensed and certified, but we use only the best materials in the industry.

In addition to our asphalt driveway installation services, Blalock Paving also specializes in restoration services, site drainage, asphalt sealing and striping, pavement repairs, and much more.

If you’re looking for an experienced Raleigh driveway contractor, you can count on us. Contact us online today to request a FREE estimate or call (919) 782-5740.

June 1, 2023

Tips for Choosing the Best Asphalt Installers for You

Asphalt

With so many different paving and asphalt installers throughout the Raleigh, NC, area, choosing one for your project might seem a little overwhelming at first. That’s why the team from Blalock Paving has collected some of the ways you can determine the best from the rest here.

If you’re looking for a professional, reliable asphalt installer in your area, here are some of the most important characteristics to pay attention to.

Ask for Referrals

One great way to find a good asphalt installer in the area is to ask for referrals from neighbors, friends, and family. Perhaps someone down the street just had their driveway repaved; ask them about their experience with their contractors. Doing so not only will give you a great list of contractors to start from but also provide an idea into how the different ones in your area work and the quality of their services.

Check Reviews

Starting online can be a great place to begin your search for asphalt installers in the Raleigh, NC, area. When looking through reviews online, always look for four or five-star reviews that provide some insight into how a customer’s experience was while working with a particular contractor. This will provide you with a better idea of how they’ll approach your project. You can also search for reviews related to the type of project you need to have done.

Choose an Experienced Company

When searching for the right asphalt installer, don’t be afraid to ask about their experience and what type of projects they’ve worked on in the past. If your paving project is more unique than the standard driveway or walkway, then ask potential installers if they’ve worked on such a project before. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask for pictures of their work. Most of today’s best paving companies are more than happy to boast about their successful projects and maintain extensive galleries on their website.

Make Certain They’re Licensed & Insured

There are a lot of companies and handymen out there that offer great prices and often, provide decent work. However, not all of them are fully licensed and insured. This means that should you hire one doesn’t have the proper credentials you can be held liable should an accident occur on your property. However, hiring asphalt installers that are insured and licensed means that should anything happen to their team, or you or your property during the job, liability insurance will pay for it.

Choose One that’s Upfront About Pricing

When it comes to selecting a great asphalt installer, one of the best ways a great company will stand out is by offering a clear pricing structure upfront. This means a detailed parts and labor breakdown that includes the type of asphalt being used, the quality of equipment employed, the size and difficulty of the project, environmental factors, and more. Also, be sure to have all of these things in writing, as well as what happens should there be any delays in material deliveries, stoppages due to inclement weather, and other issues that may affect the overall timeline of your project.

Work with a Company that Offers a Warranty

One way you can make sure you get the most out of your asphalt installation investment is to work with a company that provides a comprehensive parts and labor warranty. However, it’s important that the contractor you choose goes one step further and ensure that you completely understand the warranty so there’s no confusion once the project has begun. If you meet with a company that doesn’t offer some kind of warranty, go somewhere else.

Give Your Contract a Thorough Review

Before signing anything, it’s important to go over your contract with a fine-toothed comb. Doing so will enable you to know what to expect once your asphalt installation project begins, as well as what type of timeline your contractors will be sticking to. Additionally, it will also include the terms of your warranty. At this point, be sure to also reaffirm the timeframe of the work as well as the proper payment schedule.

Always Choose a Local Company

When it comes to hiring an asphalt paver you can trust, it’s important to select a local company that knows the area. Not only will it be much easier to verify their reputation, but also many local contractors will have clear insight into companies that sell materials in the area and can also often offer discounts or buy materials at cost. It will also make it easier to schedule appointments.

Never Hire a Company that Goes Door-to-Door

One thing that you need to watch out for as a homeowner is companies that go door-to-door offering paving services for low prices. Unfortunately, if it seems too good to be true, it often is, and many of these types of companies take advantage of homeowners and work with poor material, as well as do a shoddy job.

Contact the asphalt installers from Blalock Paving today

If you’re in need of a reliable asphalt installer for your property, you can rely on Blalock Paving. In addition to being one of the area’s leading professional asphalt installers, our team is also equipped to perform restoration services, asphalt sealing and striping, parking pad construction, commercial and residential concrete paving, and more.