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NVM Paving & Concrete, Inc.

Northern Virginia Paving Company

Commercial Property Parking Lots

What Are the Rules for Freshly Paved Asphalt?

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Freshly Paved Lot

If you have pavement in need of repair, it might be time to lay new asphalt. When you’re repairing your parking lot or installing a brand new one, it is important to create a time table. You have to know how long to close your business or how long the parking lot will be out of commission. Asphalt paving is not a long process. However, there are things that you need to know about freshly paved asphalt.

How Long Does Asphalt Take to Dry?

Asphalt only takes about three days to dry. Of course, the time of year must be taken into consideration as well. In high temperatures with high humidity, it may take much longer for the asphalt to completely dry. It is also important to realize that while the asphalt may only take a few days to dry, it can take up to 6 months to fully settle.

Should You Take Action in the First 24 Hours?

After the first 24 hours, you do want to be careful with your asphalt. After all, it isn’t completely dry. You can walk on the pavement with no problems as long as you are not wearing heels or cleated shoes. These types of shoes can damage your brand-new lot. You should also wait at least 3 days before allowing cars to park on the lot, giving the asphalt time to dry.  

What Can You Do in the First Few Months?

For the first few months, you want to take extra precautions with your asphalt parking lot. This will keep your lot durable and stable for years to come. While heavy equipment and trucks can park on your lot, you do want to pay attention to how long that equipment remains.

Freshly paved asphalt can be a wonderful asset to your property for years to come, so be sure to pay special attention in the first few months. For commercial concrete and asphalt services, contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or emailing us today!

Save Time and Money With Asphalt Parking Lots

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If you are a building owner, you have a lot of responsibilities that need your consideration. One of these responsibilities is your parking lot. You have to maintain a safe, functional parking lot for your guests, tenants, or clients. If you’re looking for an option that can save you time and money, then asphalt may be your number one.

How Asphalt Saves Money

Money is always a concern when it comes to business construction. When you choose asphalt, you are receiving an affordable and durable option. On one hand, asphalt is safe. It’s smooth, skid-resistant, and has better visual distinctions. If you’re worried about your liability, asphalt is a safer choice for your guests, resulting in fewer liability claims.

Asphalt gives off a professional look that will increase your curb appeal. Increasing your curb appeal leads to higher foot traffic which can ultimately lead to greater revenue. This will also increase the overall value of your building.

Asphalt also requires little maintenance. With asphalt, you can save money by avoiding constant, costly repairs to your parking lot.

How Asphalt Saves Time

The asphalt installment process is fairly quick, especially compared to the other available options. An under-construction parking lot can lead to lost business and largely inconvenience your employees. With asphalt, you can keep these issues minimal. After the initial installment, very little maintenance is required, leaving your parking lot looking its best for years to come.

As a property manager or business owner, it is up to you to ensure that you have a safe parking lot. When laying a new parking lot, you have to consider the time and money that it’s going to cost you. With asphalt, you can save time and money. Contact NVM Paving and Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or emailing us today to learn more.

Your Guide to Year-Round Asphalt Maintenance

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Your Guide to Year-Round Asphalt Maintenance

If you want to get the most out of your asphalt parking lot you need to maintain it properly year-round. Understanding the maintenance needs each new season brings will allow you to create a seasonal checklist. Get started on your maintenance plan with the following information.

Winter Checklist

Winter may be one of the more hazardous seasons for your parking lot. Snow and ice can create unsafe walking conditions and likewise cause a lot of damage to the pavement. Use an anti-icing agent before the snow to help prevent a buildup of snow or ice. Once the snow has fallen, make sure to remove it promptly.

Spring Checklist

Your spring checklist should involve fixing any damage caused by winter weather. Look for cracks and potholes that might have formed throughout the winter months. Make a list of any cracks or potholes and have them sealed as soon as possible. You will also want to sweep the parking lot to ensure the drainage system is free from all debris.

Summer Checklist

In the summer, you can handle bigger projects. Take advantage of the nice weather and have a new seal coat applied to your parking lot. This prevents natural oxidation and will extend the lifespan of your asphalt. Once you apply the seal coat, you can restripe the lot.

Autumn Checklist

As you move into the fall season, it is important to start prepping for winter. If you have any large projects that you need to finish, now is the time to do it. It is important to remove all leaves from the parking lot. Not only can leaves lead to slip-and-fall accidents but after a while, leaves can lead to asphalt damage. Check your drainage systems before winter. If leaves and other debris are clogging your drain, then it is going to get even worse when the snow fills the lot.

Year-round maintenance will preserve the lifespan of your asphalt parking lot. Contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or emailing us today to find out more about commercial asphalt services.

What Factors Into the Cost of a Parking Lot?

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What Factors Into the Cost of a Parking Lot?

Parking lots are a very common feature of commercial buildings. Across the United States, you will find as many as two-billion parking spaces. If your building lacks a parking lot, your building also lacks the convenience that a lot of people expect. When considering the addition of a parking lot, price is probably a top concern. To give you an idea of what you will be paying for, we have broken down the main costs of a parking lot project.

Site Preparation

When you build a parking lot, you must consider the site itself. If you have land covered in trees, then those trees must be removed to accommodate the parking lot. Likewise, you must consider the soil and the drainage offered. A contractor can test the ground for drainage issues and ensure that the ground can support a full parking lot on top of it. Additionally, accessibility factors into the costs. Your location may impact the cost of labor.

Material Needs

If you have a large parking lot, you can expect to spend more on materials. However, the size isn’t the only factor when it comes to material costs. Some parking lot material options may cost more than others, it all depends on what you are looking for in a lot. Concrete and asphalt for instance, are two of the most popular choices. Both may have higher upfront costs than alternative options, but they will last much longer, saving you money on repairs and replacements.

Permits and Approvals

All commercial parking lots have to be approved before they can be built. You must abide by all of the municipal, state, and national codes. If you aren’t sure which permits you need, you can talk to a contractor for advice. They will know which permits are necessary for the build.

When installing a commercial parking lot, there is a lot to consider. Your result will depend heavily on your choices during the process. At NVM Paving & Concrete, we serve industrial, commercial, and multi-family properties. Call 703-423-0471 or email today for an estimate on your commercial parking lot installation!

Asphalt Milling 101: What Is the Process?

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If you are like most commercial building owners and managers, you probably don’t know a lot about the asphalt laying process. You know that you need asphalt for your parking lots and driveways. You also probably know that asphalt needs regular maintenance. But, do you know the different processes? If a contractor brings up asphalt milling, will you know what they are talking about? We can help! Here is what you need to know about asphalt milling.

Asphalt Milling Basics

The purpose of asphalt milling is to remove the top layer of asphalt in a parking lot, driveway, or other surfaces without disturbing the subbase. The reason for asphalt milling is to provide a surface to lay new asphalt down without increasing the height of the area. If you have a firm foundation, this is a good way to avoid replacing the entire parking lot. The milling process prevents disturbing curbs or drainage.

Asphalt Milling Process

The process of asphalt milling includes a milling machine. These machines come in a variety of sizes to undertake a variety of different jobs. Larger machines may be able to cut up to 15,000 square yards at about 75 feet per minute.

Asphalt Milling Machine Components

There are three components to the asphalt milling machine. There is the cutting drum that rotates cutting heads across the asphalt’s surface. This component chews up the asphalt, then the second component, the vacuum, sucks up the material. The conveyance system is the third component and it is responsible for moving the material to the dump truck. Once the milling machine removes the asphalt, the contractors can sweep and clean the surface. Once clean, the new asphalt can bond to the old asphalt.

Asphalt milling is less invasive and a lot more cost-effective than replacing the whole parking lot. If you need work done on your commercial or industrial parking lot, contact NVM Paving & Concrete today by calling 703-423-0471 or emailing us to find out more!

How a Beautiful Parking Lot Enhances the Value of a Commercial Property

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If you are considering selling your commercial property, you want to get top dollar. Curb appeal is a popular phrase, but parking lot appeal is just as important. Not only could a shabby-looking parking lot decrease the value of your property, it could even deter potential buyers. The good news is that you can spruce up the appearance of your lot in many different ways. Some are relatively inexpensive, such as patching and pothole repair, while others involve a little more expense, but provide a substantial selling point. A full parking lot repaving with signage, fresh striping, and proper lighting in place is a powerful incentive to a new buyer.

The Attraction of a Nice Lot

When a potential buyer sees a well-maintained parking lot, they will likely think, “well, that’s one less thing I need to worry about.” Other advantages of a completed parking area include the following selling points:

  • It is accessible for customers and employees
  • It reduces liability for accidents and trips and falls
  • It projects a positive company image
  • It is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • It is easy to maintain

Not only does an asphalt surface look good, it often lasts for as long as 15-20 years with some minor repairs. A new buyer can concentrate on other areas of the business with only minimal attention to the parking lot.

The Appeal of a Reliable Paving Company

The right company will get your parking lot in prime shape in time for the sale. An inexpensive option such as asphalt sealcoating is a great way to provide some gloss to the surface and help showcase your property. To work with an experienced paving contractor, contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or emailing us today!

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