Are you planning on paving a driveway, walkway, parking lot, or roadway? This is a big investment, which means it’s extremely important to pay attention to details. If not, there are a plethora of common paving errors that can take place. Luckily, these errors can be easily avoided. Here are some of the most common paving errors and how to avoid them:
1. Poor Project Planning
In order to get your desired results, you must thoroughly plan out your project – whatever it may be. Lack of plans can lead to different or wrong results, more money spent, and wasted time. Take an allotted amount of time to sit down and carefully think and plan out your projects. This way, you have an organized train of events you can follow along with to ensure your paving project goes exactly how you want it to go.
2. Paying Less for Poor Quality Work
It’s tempting to find ways to cut costs and save money, but a paving project is one of the last things you need to cheap out on. In the service industry, paying less money usually means you receive less-than-quality results. Reputable, professional companies will normally charge more for their work than companies with less qualifications to be performing the paving job. Do your research on the paving company you choose – the internet can show you all certifications you need to know about for peace of mind. All in all, in most cases, more costly work equals more experienced individuals providing better results.
3. Choosing Low-Quality Materials
There are several different paving materials suitable for different paving surfaces. Two of the most common materials used for paving are asphalt and concrete. Choosing low quality asphalt or concrete can ruin your paving project entirely. For example, asphalt comes in different grades depending on the percentage of recyclable material in the mix. Some contractors will use low-grade cheap asphalt to save money, resulting in a fragile, damage-magnet surface.
4. Rushing the Process
Asphalt surfaces do best once they become sealed – the sealant acts as a barrier to keep out water, oil, and other contaminates that might create damage. However, applying this sealant too soon can actually cause damage. Walking on your concrete or asphalt pavement before it’s dry is another way to damage your surface. Asphalt surfaces take about three days minimum to harden enough to handle foot and vehicle traffic. Concrete can take up to seven days before vehicle traffic is safe for your surface.
5. Choosing the Wrong Contractor
When looking for a paving company, you’ll know when you find the right one. Checking reviews, credentials, and work history is the best way to find out which paving company is right for you and your project. Choose Wright Construction for all your paving and construction needs. We get the job done right the first time – professionalism, competitive pricing, and quality work is what we’re here to give you.