Durability of Asphalt

Asphalt lasts a lifetime, and with Monarch Paving, you can be sure it will.

Facts about paving and asphalt:

• The first road use of asphalt occurred in 1824, when asphalt blocks were placed on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
• Modern road asphalt was the work of Belgian immigrant Edward de Smedt at Columbia University in New York City.
• The asphalt portions of Interstate 90 in Washington State have been in place since their original construction more than 35 years ago with no rehabilitation for structural reasons.
• The entire New Jersey Turnpike is asphalt. Built in 1951, it has never had a failure in the pavement structure. The chief engineer for the turnpike expects it to last another 50 years.
• Called the “perpetual pavement,” asphalt pavements can last a lifetime because it’s possible to maintain them with only periodic replacement of the surface layer. And with the newer heavy-duty surface pavements, it is possible for overlays to last more than 15 to 20 years.

I always knew it Vancouver. Asphalt is king.

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Asphalt: A Sustainable Resource

Asphalt. It is made of crude oil and tar and looks like a toxic sludge. BUT did you know asphalt is recyclable. It can be used again and again to pave roads, potholes and line reservoirs for drinking water.

Asphalt provides long term solutions for pavement construction. It can last decades with proper maintenance.

Some asphalt pavements reduce noise by about 50+%

Asphalt uses 20% less energy to produce than other pavers.

Construction of asphalt materials has gone up by 250% over the past 40 years BUT emissions from those plants has reduced by 97+%

It has been used in fish hatcheries, reservoirs of drinking water and other environmental applications for years

Asphalt is considered “clean fill” in landfills, meaning it doesn’t leach out toxins or pollute

Asphalt prevents pollution from getting into water supplies and protects against disease from waste materials. It can be combined with aggregate to form a voidless and impermeable layer. Asphalt pavements are effective liners and caps for landfills.

Curb Appeal

Curb Appeal is the overall appeal of a residence, inside and out. When thinking about curb appeal, just think to yourself, does this look good?

Some fun facts:

• Staged homes with curb appeal sell 5% faster
• for 6- 10% more profit
• 90% of buyers cannot see a home’s potential
• a buyer decides in 30 seconds whether they are interested in the home
• Curb Appeal may increase the value of your home by 15-20%

With this in mind, we at Monarch Paving have 10 ways to increase your home’s curb appeal over a long weekend.

1. Edge the Driveway. A how to video is included below.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20346115,00.html

This gives the home a crisp, elegant look. It also provides clear lines when coming in and out of a driveway.

2. Install lights along the side walk.

This increases your safety as you walk from the street to the home. It also provides a welcoming feeling as soon as you walk up.

3. Plant flowers.

This is the easiest, most cost effective, way to increase your home’s curb appeal. Whether it is in boxes, beds or along the driveway, flowers can make a big impact. Make sure to ask your local nursery for recommendations for plants that thrive in your area.

4. Cover up dead spots in the lawn.

There is not a lot more unappealing than a lawn with dead spots. You can use seeds coated in fertilizers from your local hardware store to spot cure smaller areas.

5. Paint front door.

A simple coat of paint can hide all the dents, scratches and imperfections in your front door. A beautiful front door is the icing on the cake for your home. It sets the tone from inside to out.

6. Update/Edge Flower beds.

Like the edged driveway, this just gives a finished look to the outdoor space. it can be done in a similar fashion to edging a driveway, without all the hassle of sawing asphalt.

7. Replace Gutters and Downspots. New and shiny copper gutters and downspouts are the best for increasing curb appeal. This is costly. Alternatively, making sure that everything functions properly, is clean, and is the correct color will help in the overall look of the house.

8. Create Symmetry.

Symmetry has been known to be appealing to the human eye for years. Framing the doorway with flower pots, lights or windows can make all the difference.

9.Replace hardware.

Doorknobs, knockers, or railings. It is one of the most cost effective ways to increase the curb appeal of your home. On a very limited budget, you can change the overall feel of the home with these few accessories.

10. Pave.

Paving, or re-paving your driveway helps with the finished look of the home. things like cracks, potholes and growing plants in your driveway can give your home a dated look. A new coat of asphalt can fix all of this, just check out our Before Monarch article.

Before Monarch

This is a project Monarch Paving tackled a little while ago. This road hadn’t been paved or maintained in 30 years! The damage was mostly seen in the improper drainage system. The water should have slid off the asphalt but instead it began to pool and damage the surface. The asphalt was wearing away from underneath causing pieces of the surface to collapse because the subgrade underneath washed away. This caused big pot holes to form. Improper maintenance and neglect also hindered the asphalt’s longevity. (See ehow for great DIY asphalt maintenance tips) The road became intolerable and had to be repaved. This North Vancouver home was in for an afternoon of hot, black, sticky asphalt.

 

After we gave it a new pave job the pavement looked great! We removed the existing asphalt and repaved the entire surface. The road was smooth, black and sexy. The whole exterior of the home looked more updated and polished.

Monarch Paving

Monarch Paving changes Parking lot at Park Royal

< Asphalt is one of the quickest ways to change the layout of a parking lot. In just a few short hours our team of paving experts changed two parking spaces into a grocery cart carousel at Park Royal in West Vancouver. If you look at the picture, you will notice that there is new asphalt over the existing asphalt. A seamless addition to the existing parking lot, and cost effective too!

 

 

Monarch Paving also removed unwanted planter boxes and paved over where they were. This created more space in the parking lot. Once the asphalt dries, drivers will not be able to feel the difference when passing over the new asphalt. >

 

 

 

< Monarch Paving also removed a concrete curb for Park Royal, paving in our path.

 

We are hiring for Paving Positions

Paving Operations Rakerman

 

A Rakerman will be required to performa wide range of general labouring duties on the asphalt paving crew, including but not limited to shovelling  raking, compacting materials assisting with the even distribution of asphalt material, verify the depth specifications and estimate the quantities of asphalt required. Pay dependent upon experience.

Comprehensive training provided
Drivers licence required.
Winter hours available.

 

Paving Experience for Rakerman position a must

Interested candidates please send resume to info@monarchpaving.ca

Paving operations labourer

Duties include but not limited to- Load, unload and transport construction materials, Mix, pour and spread materials, Assist heavy equipment operators, Level earth to fine grade specifications, Pave and rake asphalt, Clean and pile salvaged materials, Clean up chemical spills and other contaminants, Remove rubble and other debris at construction sites.

Paving experience is an asset but not necessary.
Comprehensive training provided
Drivers licence required.
Winter hours available.

Interested candidates please send resume to info@monarchpaving.ca

website http://www.monarchpaving.ca

Monarch Paving Presents: Asphalt Speak Part 3

The final instalment! Here at Monarch Paving we hope to educate the north shore. So that Vancouver can speak like a professional paver.

Maintenance Mix – A mixture of asphalt emulsion and mineral aggregate (see Monarch Paving Presents: Asphalt Speak Part 1)  used in relatively small areas to patch holes, depressions, and distressed areas in existing pavements.

Mineral Fillers – Sand and fine particles of mineral material that exhibit specific characteristics that are helpful in the design and construction of asphalt pavements.

Pavement Base – The lower or underlying pavement course atop the subbase or natural earth and under the top or wearing layer.

Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement – Asphalt paving material that has been removed from a road or highway and crushed for reuse or recycling into new pavements.

Recycled Asphalt Mix – A mixture made by processing recycled asphalt pavement into new pavement. This is used in materials such as roofing shingles, glass, foundry sand, and slag can be used in the mix.

That about sums it up Vancouver! Thanks for listening