How Sealcoating Can Beautify Your Home and Prevent Costly Repairs

by Posted in Paving Tagged , , , , ,

Rochester NY Sealcoating is an affordable way to significantly extend the life of your asphalt driveway or sidewalk. It also beautifies your home.

Sealcoating

Similar to asphalt paving, seal coating maintains the existing asphalt pavement surface by applying a layer of coal tar or an asphalt emulsion to it. This protects the asphalt from weather damage, oxidation, salt, and oil penetration.

Sealcoating provides a layer of protection for asphalt, helping it resist damage and wear. This means you’ll be able to avoid costly repairs in the future. The coating blocks harmful chemicals from seeping through small cracks in the surface of the asphalt. It also protects the asphalt from the sun’s UV rays which can cause oxidation, weakening, and fading of your parking lot surface.

When automobile fluids like oil and gasoline leak onto your asphalt, it softens the material causing it to break down and crack. However, when your pavement is properly seal coated it holds up much better against these harmful materials. Seal coating also helps the surface to stay flexible so it can expand and contract with fluctuating temperatures.

Another great benefit of seal coating is that it improves the overall look of your property. Its dark black color adds curb appeal and makes your pavement look brand new. The smooth surface is easy to clean, making your property look well-maintained and inviting.

Unsealed asphalt tends to be dull, gray and faded over time. This can affect your business or commercial location’s image and make it look run down and uncared for. With a fresh coat of sealcoat, your asphalt will regain its rich black hue and glossy appearance. This will help to boost your property’s curb appeal and help it to stand out from the competition. This is a great way to impress customers or clients before they even enter your property. It also means that your business will be able to attract more potential buyers if you plan on selling your property in the future. This is especially important if you’re looking to lease out your space.

Adds Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is one of the most important factors when it comes to ensuring your property looks its best, whether you’re trying to attract customers or tenants or maintain an attractive home. Asphalt services like sealcoating, paving and repair work, and pavement striping offer meaningful curb appeal benefits that can transform your property’s appearance while also offering practical advantages for maintenance and longevity.

An obvious benefit of having your commercial property professionally sealcoated is that it provides a freshly-black, clean appearance. This can make your property look more visually impressive and professional – which is exactly the kind of polished aesthetic that retail businesses need to attract customers and retain employees.

Additionally, a fresh coat of sealcoating can cover cosmetic blemishes that would otherwise be unattractive and potentially turn into foundational problems down the road. This can prevent you from having to spend money on costly resurfacing or repaving. Lastly, it can also extend the life of your asphalt by providing an additional layer of protection against water damage. This is because the sealcoating prevents water from seeping under and damaging the surface of the asphalt.

Prevents Water Damage

Asphalt is a robust material but it needs some protection from the elements. Moisture is one of the main causes of damage to asphalt, whether from rain and snow or vehicle fluids or simply sun exposure. Sealcoating acts as a protective layer against many of these sources of moisture and helps to keep the surface looking great.

Often, asphalt driveways and parking lots are stained by oil spills and other vehicular fluids that can be difficult to clean up. The dark color of new sealcoat hides these stains and makes the surface look like it is brand-new. Having an asphalt sealcoating service perform a regular application every 2-4 years prevents the stains from causing permanent damage to the driveway or parking lot and prolongs its lifespan.

Water damage is another problem that can wreak havoc on unprotected asphalt, especially in climates with a high rainfall. If left to stand on the pavement, it can cause cracking and deterioration, which will cost you more money in repairs and maintenance. Sealcoating acts as a barrier between the water and the pavement, preventing it from sinking in and speeding up the deterioration process.

A high quality asphalt sealer is a mixture of a binder (typically refined coal tar or bituminous petroleum distillate), aggregates and fillers such as sand, and additives that serve different purposes including fast drying, altering sand suspension, improving flexibility and durability, and resisting salts and petrochemicals. Choosing a reputable asphalt sealcoating company that uses these state-of-the-art ingredients will give you the best results. The ideal time to have your asphalt sealed is in the spring or fall, since the process requires temperatures above 50 degrees and at least 24 hours without rain.

Prevents Oil Spills

Asphalt is a petroleum product and like any other oil-based substance it will absorb gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil, and salt. Over time this can weaken the asphalt and cause costly repairs. Sealcoating protects the surface of your asphalt pavement from these substances, minimizing damage and making cleanup easier.

Gasoline and oil spills are a common nuisance on driveways and parking lots. The oil and gasoline will stain the asphalt surface, creating a sticky patch that is almost impossible to clean. Sealcoating prevents the stains from forming in the first place and significantly reduces the time it takes to remove them when they do occur.

Sealcoat provides a layer of protection over the existing asphalt, sealing small cracks and imperfections. It also helps to prevent water penetration and oxidation, improving the durability of your asphalt pavement. This will protect your investment and save you money in the long run.

Professional sealcoating contractors use high-quality materials that are superior to the store-bought variety, meaning you will get better results. Adding a protective coat to your asphalt will enhance the curb appeal of your property, giving it a unified, jet-black appearance that looks brand new. This will help to increase the value of your home or business and make it more appealing for prospective buyers or tenants.

A regular schedule of sweeping, removing oil and chemical spills as soon as they happen, and sealing with sealcoat is an excellent maintenance strategy that will extend the life of your asphalt. However, keep in mind that sealcoat cannot repair serious pitting or chips in your asphalt. These problems should be addressed with a concrete repair service before the sealcoat is applied.

Saves Money

If you invest in a professional sealcoating company to apply a fresh coat of asphalt every three to five years, you will save money in the long run by significantly extending the life of your pavement. This prevents minor wear and tear from escalating into major repairs that require more expensive replacement or reconstruction of your parking lot or driveway.

In addition, the unified appearance of freshly sealed asphalt sends a positive message to your customers or tenants that you care about their experience on your property and are committed to maintaining a clean, safe environment. This may encourage them to return or recommend your business to others, which can also increase revenue or tenant satisfaction.

Untreated pavement can deteriorate rapidly because water seeps into tiny cracks and erodes the foundation underneath. Freezing and thawing cycles expedite this process, as the asphalt becomes brittle and crumbles under heavy traffic. A fresh sealcoat keeps the surface pliable and helps asphalt adjust to temperature changes.

A new layer of protection protects the asphalt from UV rays, oil spills, and other chemical fluids that degrade the surface. It also provides a smoother surface that resists weathering and supports the weight of cars. Sealcoating also adds a deep black color to the surface, which improves curb appeal and increases the value of your home or commercial property.

Before you sealcoat your pavement, it is important to fill any existing cracks or damage so that they do not continue to grow bigger and cost more to repair. Also, it is a good idea to have your driveway or parking lot cleaned of any dirt, debris, and oil so that the sealant can bond with the surface properly. If you decide to DIY sealcoating, be sure that you have the proper equipment for the job and take the time to do it correctly. Otherwise, you could end up ruining your clothes and skin from the chemicals in the cleaners or spending more money to redo the project after a few mistakes.

The Green Waste Collection Process

by Posted in Junk Removal Tagged , , , , ,
green waste collection process

Green Waste Collection Mandurah process turns organic kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into resources. It positively impacts the environment by lowering greenhouse gases, protecting waterways and growing healthy crops for everyone.

When collected properly, the organic waste is transported to composting facilities. The material is carefully sorted, then placed in enormous composters to reduce odors and kill harmful pathogens.

Food Waste

Food waste is created throughout a food system at every stage, from the time consumers finish their meals at restaurants or throw out leftovers to the loss of raw materials and produce during harvesting and processing. These foodstuffs are thrown away at an estimated annual rate of 1.3 gigatons, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and negatively impacting land use, water resources and human health.

Until recently, the majority of this wasted food was collected and sent to landfills to decompose. But, as a result of new technologies and policy initiatives, there has been a growing movement to divert this food from the landfill to composting. In the US, many local governments and communities have implemented programs to collect this discarded food for purposes other than landfills. Most of these programs consist of separate curbside collection of food scraps and yard trimmings, where it is turned into compost or other valuable products.

Green waste collections are usually a combination of leaves and grass clippings, with kitchen scraps and other organic materials added in. This material is called “green” because it contains high levels of nitrogen, which makes it important for sustaining the soil’s nutrient cycling. While most green waste is used for compost, some is also used to create biofuels and other industrial products.

A common method for diverting food waste from landfills is to send it to animal feed facilities or pig or chicken farms. These animals consume the food scraps and slop, turning it into fecal waste and dung, which are then used for fertilizer or to produce energy. Another option is to feed this food to marine microalgae, which can be harvested for its biofuel and other products.

In order to reduce food waste, most experts agree that prevention is the highest priority. However, for this to work effectively, all stakeholders must understand the different uses of food waste and its ramifications on our environment. Once this is understood, the best use of food waste will become clear and may include food donation, animal feed or recycling nutrients and energy.

Yard Waste

Yard waste, or vegetative waste, can include things like leaves, grass clippings, non-woody organic garden waste, and brush (branches and twigs less than three inches in diameter). The category of green waste also includes fruit and vegetable scraps and coffee grounds. It is a major source of greenhouse gasses, but it can be reduced with a little effort and by taking advantage of local collection programs.

Many municipalities provide yard waste recycling as part of their garbage pickup service, so check with your local government to find out about options in your area. You can also start your own compost pile to reduce yard waste and create nutrient-rich soil for gardens or landscaping. The general rule is to keep your pile out of sight from neighbors, and turn it every couple of weeks. Also, be sure to avoid adding weeds, dirt, rocks, or other debris that does not originate from your property or garden.

A few select communities have dedicated drop-off sites for residents who prefer to transport their own yard waste. These sites are similar to landfills, but they have specialized equipment designed to separate recyclables from yard waste and other organic materials. First, workers remove all visible plastic and paper from the yard waste. Then, the material goes through one of several grinders, which reduce it to a fine mix. Finally, sifters separate out items that are not suitable for the final compost.

These items may contain too much wood, for example, or they could have been contaminated by paper and plastic when people put them in the trash. This contamination lowers the quality of the finished compost and can make it unsafe for use on plants.

Yard waste is an important component of green waste, but it can be difficult to recycle because it must be separated from other organics. To improve the situation, New York City has just begun requiring separating yard waste from other trash and will introduce mandatory composting in Brooklyn and Queens on October 2. The EPA estimates that if everyone recycled their green waste, we could keep 32.9 million tons out of landfills and incinerators each year.

Paper & Cardboard

Paper and cardboard are often recycled, but many people don’t know exactly how the process works. Tossing old paper, egg cartons and mail into a recycling bin may seem simple enough, but there’s actually a lot that goes into making sure these materials are recycled properly and efficiently. Understanding how cardboard and paper are recycled helps business owners stay compliant with local regulations and save money on disposal costs while also contributing to a healthier environment.

Cardboard is usually sorted from other paper and recycled separately. Like all paper, it comes from natural wood fibers and can only be recycled so many times before the fibers that make it up become too worn out. To keep its durability and resistance, cardboard is pressed and treated with a combination of chemicals.

Once waste paper is collected, it’s weighed and sorted based on type and grade. Different types of paper have different grades and uses, and this sorting process ensures that high-quality fibers aren’t contaminated by low-quality ones. The paper is then shredded and mixed with water to create a slurry. This is known as pulping, and it softens the paper and makes it easier to turn into new products. The slurry is then strained to filter out foreign materials like plastic, staples and metal packaging. Chemicals are used to de-ink the pulp as well.

The slurry is then formed into flat sheets for drying. Once it’s dried, the cardboard can be made into new cardboard and other paper products. If the cardboard isn’t going to be made into a product, it can be used as loose fill for padding or as a wrapping material for products shipped out to consumers.

If the cardboard is being used as a shipping material, it’s important to choose FSC certified cardboard. This designation indicates that the wood used to make it was sourced responsibly and is environmentally friendly. FSC certification is becoming increasingly popular, and more companies are seeking out cardboard that’s both environmentally and socially responsible. Aside from reducing the amount of garbage in landfills, recycling corrugated cardboard can also help reduce energy consumption and air pollution. For example, a single tonne of recycled cardboard saves 390 kWh of electricity, 1.1 barrels of oil and 6.6 million Btu’s of energy.

Electronics

In a society that constantly replaces gadgets with newer models, electronic waste (e-waste) can pose serious environmental threats if thrown into regular garbage. Computers, cell phones, tablets and other electronics contain toxic metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium that can leach into the groundwater or air. In addition, e-waste is a fire risk due to its volatile materials and can be a health threat to humans as well, particularly for workers who handle it.

Most e-waste is sent to developing countries for processing, where it pollutes the environment and local communities. For example, the city of Guiyu in China is known as the “e-waste capital of the world.” Thousands of workshops there process discarded electronics using laborers who snip wires, pry chips from circuit boards and grind plastic computer cases into particles for parts. Some e-waste is burned for energy, but this releases toxic gases that can harm human lung cells and cause cancer. Burning e-waste also releases heavy metals into the air, which can be inhaled or ingested by workers at recycling facilities.

E-waste can also cause illness for people who touch it, and even the soil it sits in may be contaminated with toxic chemicals. These dangers are why companies such as Apple and Samsung have begun offering consumers options to sell or donate their old devices, rather than discard them.

The best way to avoid e-waste is by recycling it, which can save energy and resources and reduce the need for mining of additional raw materials or manufacturing of new components. Many large retailers have e-waste collection programs, so check with your local government to see if one is available in your area.

Green waste can also be used to create compost, which is an environmentally friendly alternative to landfills. Composting uses natural processes to break down organic material into a rich, soil-like substance that can be reused in agricultural production. This helps reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and it can also improve water quality by removing nutrients from sewage that would otherwise be pumped into lakes or rivers.