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NVM Paving & Concrete, Inc.

Northern Virginia Paving Company

New Asphalt & Concrete Projects

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.

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!

3 Things You May Not Know About Asphalt

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Asphalt is a common substance most people encounter on a daily basis. As a property manager, you may even be in charge of maintaining an asphalt parking lot or walkway. Read on to discover some interesting facts you may not know about this seemingly common material.

1. Asphalt Is an Ancient Substance

Evidence shows that asphalt was possibly used as early as 615 BCE. It was used on a road leading to Babylon, as evidenced by an ancient tablet that was dated around that time. The Romans used it to seal their aqueducts, reservoirs, and baths.

In the 1860s, a Belgian chemist set out to show the durability of asphalt. He first laid a path in front of the Newark, NJ, city hall, after which Pennsylvania Avenue was paved with it. This is when those in the construction business began to realize it could be used for multiple applications.

2. Asphalt Occurs Naturally

Asphalt is found in naturally occurring deposits called “asphalt lakes”. A semi-solid type of petroleum, it can also be mixed with limestone and sand in what is called “rock asphalt”.

3. Asphalt Is Recyclable

Asphalt is like play-doh, when you’re done with it, you just break it down and use it again to create something new. When asphalt is milled from a surface, the layer that gets removed is recycled into a new surface. This makes asphalt one of the most environmentally friendly substances used for driveways and walkways. Recycling asphalt also makes for an affordable project because one does not have to purchase or produce all new materials.

Contacting the Professionals

As you can see, asphalt has been around for a long time, and for good reason. As a durable, long-lasting, environmentally-friendly product, let us show you what asphalt can do for your property. Contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or sending us an email today to discuss your options.

How to Spot a Quality Pave Job

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Your employees and your customers deserve to have a safe place to park. The quality of your parking lot will directly impact whether your clients and employees can park safely at your business. Here are some ways to tell if you are receiving a quality asphalt paving job.

Durability in the Gravel

If you have a new parking lot, then odds are the contractors will place a base of gravel down in the beginning. This layer of gravel is what will help keep your asphalt strong and will withstand the heaviness of vehicles.

Details Throughout Asphalt

The best pave jobs will have contractors that care about all of the details. They will not ignore your needs and instead will make sure to look at the minor details as well as the major components to the project.

Drainage in the Asphalt

When it comes to asphalt damage, water is one of the biggest culprits. It can slip beneath the asphalt and lead to damage. If you want to avoid damage brought on by pooling water, then you will want to see how the parking lot drains excess water.

Smooth and Flat Asphalt

Your asphalt should never appear bumpy or uneven. Uneven pave jobs may last for only a short amount of time. You should make sure that the paving job is completely smooth.

When it comes to paving your commercial lot, you need to make sure that you get the job finished correctly the first time. When you follow those few tips, you may be able to increase the longevity of your parking lot or other asphalt areas. To find out what you need to know about quality pave jobs, contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or emailing us today.

What You Need To Know About Asphalt Paving

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When it comes to paving commercial driveways, loading docks, and parking lots, you have a lot of options. You can choose from gravel, concrete, asphalt, and even a mix of all of the above. However, not all options are created equal. Companies prefer asphalt paving for the lower maintenance and the higher-end look.

Asphalt is also more flexible and produces less road noise. If your business requires a quiet environment, such as an apartment building or law firm, this is an important consideration. Here’s what else you need to know before making a decision.

It Lasts a Long Time

Concrete is asphalt’s top contender, and while they are both great options, asphalt beats out concrete when it comes to a very important factor; lifespan. With regular maintenance, you can expect to get up to 20 years with an asphalt lot. The best thing you can do for your asphalt pavements is to invest in sealcoating. While sealcoating serves as a protective layer, cracks and holes may still arise, if you want the most out of your pavement, be sure to get these issues fixed in a timely manner.  

Pedestrians and Drivers Stay Safe

You may notice you rarely come across concrete on the roadways. Beyond the occasional connecting bridge, the government relies on dark asphalt. Dark roads help motorists and pedestrians to better identify white and yellow markings. These help with maintaining lanes, stopping at the appropriate signs, and identifying crosswalks. The same will be true of your driveway or parking lot.

You Can Recycle the Materials

If you run a green business or want to help preserve the environment overall, note that used asphalt is as good as new asphalt. Recycling your asphalt saves you money on the cost of materials when repaving or expanding. It also helps to keep tons of asphalt from piling up in landfills.

If you’re still not sure whether asphalt is right for your business, talk to the experts. Contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or emailing us today for more information. We bring more than 25 years of experience in paving and concrete to the table to help you make the right decision.

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