Author: tpcompany

Limestone is basically sedimentary rock that consists of mainly calcite. The unique thing about limestone is that it takes a very long time; years to form, before it reaches its complete transformation. It is made right under the Earth’s surface. Limestone is very unique and no other stone or rock has the same or similar characteristics of it. This is the reason that so many people are fascinated by this stone. It is also used quite often for various different construction projects.  It is one of the most popular construction products available for building purposes.

Limestone is often and mostly used for outdoor construction projects, such as bordering a swimming pool, or the border walls for a garden. The reason it is commonly used for pools is because of its nonslip characteristic which is most certainly needed around a pool area.Additionally, many people find limestone to be quite attractive for landscaping purposes.

Exterior Paving with Limestone

Some outdoor areas that often make use of paving with limestone include the following:

Pools

As mentioned earlier, with its qualities of being non-slip, limestone is the perfect option for bordering a swimming pool, because it keeps people who are around the pool from potential dangerous slips and falls that could cause serious injuries.

Driveways

Beautiful and elegant looking driveways have been made with limestone pavements. At least on rainy wet days people can safely get in and out of their cars while walking on a limestone driveway. There are so many customizable options that can be chosen when creating a paved driveway out of limestone.

Patios

Limestone will give your patio a beautiful look that will be especially enjoyable with nice patio furniture on hot summer days. Custom limestone patios will even wow your guests that you invite to your house for social events.

Walkway

Any outdoor walkway would be wonderful with limestone paving the way. You wouldn’t have to worry about slips and falls when there is wet weather, and the walkway is sure to add to the property value of your home.

Courtyard

Courtyards are a place where you can enjoy a tranquil morning, afternoon or evening visiting with family members and friends. Imagine a beautiful garden in your courtyard, outlined and surrounded by a limestone pavement. Wouldn’t that be pleasant? What a wonderful place that would be to entertain.

Landscaping

When people purchase their home, they often have extra brick leftover or in some cases limestone. Extra limestone can be used to create a beautiful landscaping wall for your front yard and back yard gardens. If limestone was used to build your home, then the landscaping with spare limestone would add a beautiful touch and add property value to your home.

Stepping Stones

Some people like the idea of stepping stones in their yard; especially in their gardens. Limestone is a great option to be used as stepping stones. A great choice so that you don’t have to walk in your grass on wet days or kill the grass for walking on it so much when you are walking around in your garden.

Verandas

How about limestone for your covered Veranda patio? What a wonderful way to add a nice little touch to your outdoor covered patio space.

Interior Paving with Limestone

Although most common for the outdoors, limestone is also used for indoor purposes as well. Check out some of the ways that limestone is used for indoor purposes.

Countertops

Whether it’s for the countertops in your kitchen or your bathroom, limestone is used. Often incorporated with other different types of stone or tile to create a very unique design or pattern.

Fireplace

Limestone is very commonly used for fireplaces in new homes. It blends in well with neutral colored walls and gives the fireplaces a high class, elegant look.

Mantels

Mantels above fireplaces or other types of shelving built into the walls of a home, are commonly made from limestone. It allows these shelves to not only be elegant, but sturdy and last for a long time.

Tables

There are some dining and breakfast tables that are made with the use of limestone. Most of these tables just have a little bit of limestone used for patterns and designs to be incorporated with other materials like oak wood for a beautiful finish.

Flooring

Limestone can not only be used outdoors on the ground but for indoor floors as well. There have been some very beautiful limestone floor patterns created in business buildings as well as in high priced homes.

Colors to choose from

Limestone comes in a variety of different colors to choose from. Instead of going with plain white, a lot of people will go with colorful patterns that suite the interior of their homes. Just imagine what you can do with limestone in all of the different rooms in your house as well as outdoors. The possibilities are endless!

Have you been observing your driveway asphalt and noticed that it is starting to look a bit rough? How can you fix this issue? Will you be able to easily repair it to restore how it once looked before? Is it necessary to resurface your drive way or do you need to just strip the whole thing and redo it from scratch?

With all of these questions in mind, it might be a good idea for you to just go ahead and contact a contractor to answer some of these questions that you may have about paving your driveway. Often times you are even able to get a free estimate of how much it will cost for a contractor to come out and repave your driveway. As you read along you will have a better idea of the steps needed in finding and hiring a contractor to repave or resurface your asphalt driveway.

Just how far will maintenance get you?

You can’t expect for that smooth, beautiful black asphalt to last forever. Do what you can to keep up with the maintenance of your asphalt driveway, but Mother Nature will most certainly take its course on the asphalt. Eventually it will become worn and you will begin to see cracks in the asphalt where it was once smooth. There are many substances that can find its way on your driveway, helping with the aging process. Oil, salt, and heat, are just to name a few of the things that affect the way your asphalt driveway holds up.

If 25 percent or more of your asphalt is in need of repair, then it would be the best idea to have your asphalt resurfaced. This is a very cost effective option to choose.

Cracks that develop over time

Seeing how asphalt is on the roads, then you are most likely prepared for your asphalt to crack over time. You can have the tiniest cracks in your asphalt, or you can have some very large cracks in your asphalt. It really just depends on where you live, and the climate/weather situation. For those that live in colder climates, the process of ice freezing and thawing can take a toll on your asphalt. As water penetrates through cracks they grow larger over time. It’s better to fix these cracks sooner than later because the larger they grow, the harder they will be to fix later.

Repair or complete replacement

Depending on the deteriorating state of your driveway, you will need to determine if a simple repair or replacement of your entire driveway is necessary. If you can resurface your asphalt driveway then you will probably come out paying less money versus if you had to replace the entire driveway and start from scratch. It’s really going to depend on the severity of the cracks. Large cracks all over will require that you replace the entire driveway.

If you find that you have had to resurface your driveway multiple times from minor cracks within a shorter period of time, then your issue could lie in the foundation. If your foundation is the issue then you will need to consider buying an entirely new driveway. Depressions and mounts in the asphalt will also need to be replaced.

What can cause premature destruction?

Even if your asphalt is installed properly onto your driveway, you can still run into issues. A properly installed driveway can typically last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. However, severe weather conditions can knock some of those years right off causing premature wearing of your driveway.

Beware of scams from Contractors

You should be aware of the scams out there where contractors try to offer homeowners a great deal to replace or repair their asphalt driveways at a discounted price. They will often tell their potential buyers that they have leftover asphalt in their possession. They will try to make an immediate deal with you right then and there. If this happens, you need to call the police and report them.

Legit contractors are very specific in their calculations of how much asphalt they will need. A small amount of leftover asphalt is never enough or the correct amount to use on someone’s driveway.

Hiring a certified contractor

When you get ready to hire a contractor for paving your driveway, you will need to make sure that they are licensed and insured. Make sure you read online reviews about the company before you hire them. The reviews will tell you a lot about the service that they have offered others. Steer clear from new companies or companies that have little to no reviews available to read. Makes sure the contractor that you plan to hire is at least a part of an association like National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) or National Pavement Contractors Association (NPCA).

Paving your driveway is not a task for the lazy. It is a task that is a bit time consuming, but well worth the benefits once the task has been completed. If you don’t plan to pave your driveway on your own then you should know that to hire a company it can be quite expensive, so before you even get started you will need to check out the companies that are available in your area and look at the pricing and reviews. One thing is for certain, having a brand new driveway will make your lawn, and the overall look of your home look renewed and refreshed. Having your driveway paved will also be a bonus added to your property, increasing the value of it.

Choose your Pavement

When it comes to having your driveway paved, you will find that there are many driveway paving options to choose from. Of course with these options, the pricing is also going to vary. The higher quality the paving option is that you choose, the more money you will be paying per square foot. Let’s take a look at some of the options that most companies offer to choose from:

Asphalt

Asphalt is a very good, common option that you can choose to pave your driveway with. It does well when there are various changes in the temperature outside. Its dark color does a great job at preserving heat as well as melting snow and ice since is holds heat very well.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $3 and $5 a square foot for Asphalt paving.

If you are on a budget you can go with purchasing recycled asphalt for your driveway; it is the cheaper option to go with. Asphalt is quite easy to repair from the cracks and chunks that can go missing over a long period of time of use; this is another reason why a lot of people go with asphalt as their choice for paving their driveways.

Gravel

How about some gravel to be used as your next driveway pavement?

Now gravel isn’t one of the best options to go with for paving your driveway, but it is an affordable option, and there are many people who are on a budget that go with this option.

You are looking to pay anywhere between $1 and $5 a square foot for gravel.

Now, although it is cheap, gravel can last for a very long time, but it is looser than asphalt. It is also a bit of a challenge to care for gravel because weeds can grow through the cracks of it, and snow is a bit hard to remove from it since it is loose. A lot of people who live out in the country use gravel since their driveways are typically really long, and the longer the driveway, the more you will pay per square foot for the installment of the material.

Concrete

Concrete is the third option, very sturdy and solid. You should not have as many issues with concrete cracking as you would with asphalt. It holds up pretty well and you would be looking at a lifespan of 30-40 years.

You are looking at an estimate between $2 and $4 for the cost per square foot for your concrete pavement.

With concrete, you can even have it customized with a symbol or pattern engraved into it. Colors and finishes for concrete also come in a variety of different options. The different things that you can do with your concrete paved driveway are simply endless.

The downside about concrete pavement is that oil marks and spills are quite difficult to remove. You would most likely have to hire a professional to have the stains power washed away. If your concrete driveway is exposed to road salt then it can very easily start to erode. However, the concrete option is popular amongst many buyers and you will find it used for many residential neighborhood driveways.

Pavers

Last, but certainly not least, we have the pavers option up for your consideration. This option is going to be the most expensive option out of the rest, but it is quite appealing to the eye and there are many benefits in its use.

Firstly, to cut to the chase, you are looking at paying $5 to $60 per square foot for pavers. It is expensive unless you find out somewhere to purchase it at a lower price. Mostly people who have high paying jobs and live in high class neighborhoods purchase this type of paving for their driveways. However, anyone that really desires this type of pavement can shop around for the lowest prices online or locally.

For pavement damages over time, it might be a good idea to look into your homeowner’s insurance to see what they cover for your pavement.

Sealing your driveway isn’t something that you can just wake up and decide that you want to do. There is actually a bit of planning that must go along with that.

Hire a contractor instead?

Knowing that driveway sealing isn’t something that is an easy task to tackle, you may consider hiring a contractor. Well there are a few guidelines up ahead for you to read about so that you can know just what to do and what not to do when you are considering a contractor for hire. The thing that you need to keep in mind is that there are a lot of companies out there who are false and just out to scam you and get your money. You will want to know what to look for when dealing with these people. Continue to read on to learn how you deal with this situation.

Contractors that try to “sell” you the best deal ever!

You may or may not come across some contractors who come to your door trying to offer you the best deal ever.

These people more often than not use leftover sealer and asphalt to work on peoples’ driveways, and by the time you find out the truth about them it is too late and they are nowhere to be found. This is why the importance of getting referrals and reading online reviews is necessary to make sure you find a legit contractor to work with.

One thing that I have to say, is if it sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is too good to be true.

Driveway Maintenance specialist only!

If you want to make sure that you steer clear of the scammers, then you’ll want to make sure you hire a contractor that specializes only in the maintenance of driveways.

How is the sealer applied?

Do your research to learn the proper techniques on how sealer is applied. The most common method used to apply sealer is with a brush that is used to apply. Squeegees are also occasionally used. However, the worst method possible to use is the spray. Sealer that has been reduced to the consistency of a spray is not good because that means there was water added; the thickness of the product has been thinned. When a spray sealer is used, it will look good for about a month and then the area that was sprayed will go back to its previous state.

What sealer product is used?

If a sealer is oil based then it will absorb into your driveway. Asphalt is already made of mostly oil which makes sense as to why an oil based sealer will just seep right in with the pavement.

If a latex sealer is used then it will act as a paint; like on the walls inside your home. The latex based product would eventually start to peel leaving you with the same unsealed cracks that you were trying to resolve.

Coal tar emulsion is the type of sealer that you’ll want the contractor to use to repair the cracks that are in your asphalt. It soaks very well into the surface of the asphalt without seeping in and blending with the asphalt. The bond is very strong which keeps it from cracking; it is able to withstand the majority of weather conditions. Coal tar emulsion generally only has about 2% of oil in its mixture.

Has sand been added to the sealer?

Sand is actually very beneficial to the sealer when added, because it keeps the sealer from being slippery to walk on and it also adds flexibility to the sealer.

What’s the square footage of your driveway?

It’s quite important to know what the square footage of your driveway is so that the contractor can give you an appropriate estimate of how much it will cost for the sealing work. The contractor is supposed to come and take a look at your driveway in order to give you a quote. No quote is ever an accurate quote over the phone, so always make sure the contractor can come out to your residence to give you a proper quote.

Great! Now you know everything that you need to know when it comes to hiring a contractor for sealing the cracks in your asphalt driveway. If you are still considering trying to do this task yourself, you should know that the task requires a lot of tools and it is very time consuming. Hiring a contractor is in your best interest because you want to make sure the job is done correctly the first time.

Just remember that a coal tar based sealer needs to be used for the best, long-lasting results! Do your research on the companies that offer this service and don’t settle for anything less than top notch quality!

Although Paving looks great once it is fresh and new, over the years it suffers from the weather and elements that cause it to wear down and get cracks over time.

Variety of pavers to choose from        

There are different type of pavers that you can choose from. There’s stone, clay, and concrete, just to name a few. Amongst the most expensive options that you can choose from include bricks that are typically used for a house, and dry formed concrete. These two materials are the most expensive because moisture is easily absorbed into them.

Natural stone options like sandstone, granite, limestone, and basalt, are quite dense and do not absorb very much moisture at all. However, there are some sandstones that are of low quality and they are porous, so you just have to keep a look out of the quality and know what you are buying. You’ll want to make sure you purchase your natural stone from a reputable company.

Pavers that are made from clay hold up very well when it comes to not allowing moisture to absorb. However, when this material is used for paving in a shaded area, if can become susceptible to mold growth over time. You will want to make sure you check the borders of your driveway after about a year or two of installation to see if there are any signs of mold growth.

Sand mixture

Pavers are typically installed with a sand grout; which holds the pavers in place nicely and allows natural flexibility of the surface as well as effective draining. Mortar is sometimes used for grouting if the pavement’s foundation is mortar. This typically keeps the issues with weeds growing through the foundation at bay. Mortar is often better to use compared to cement, because the cement foundation breaks down more quickly over time resulting in having to be replaced sooner.

Pavers and weed growth

Weed growth can occur over time through the edges and cracks of pavers, depending on how the pavers are placed as well as depending upon what shape the pavers are. Often times what can happen is over time, any cracks that are in the pavers edges can hold seeds that grow into weeds through the cracks. Bricks and cobbled stone used for paving can be very beautiful but are very hard to set up in a way that would keep the weeds from making their way through the cracks over time.

In this case it is a good idea to use pavers that have sharp edges and that fit into place tightly or almost perfectly to the point there are no spaces between them for weed growth.

It does not help when there is rain or run off water in one section of your pavement. Any water settling in one spot for extended periods of time can cause growth to occur, so if you can help it, try to find ways to keep your pavement as dry as possible.

Ways to eliminate the weeds

Keeping in mind the possibility that you will have some weed or moss growth over time on your pavement, there are other ways that you can go about preventing the weeds from growing through, or getting rid of weeds that already exist between the cracks of your pavement.

Pulling the weeds out if they are long enough is one way of removing them, but you will need to make sure you take preventative measures to keep the weeds from growing back again. With that being said, you can use a weed removal spray found in the gardening department of the store. They are usually quite affordable and work really well. You can also pour boiling hot water on the weeds that are there; or that can’t be seen through the cracks.

Chlorine

The use of pool chlorine can also be quite effective in removing the weeds that you may find in the cracks of your pavement. It is available in a variety of sizes, so you can purchase it depending on how much of it you think that you will be using.

To use this method you will need to dampen the surface that you plan to remove the weeds from. Make sure you use gloves during this process so that you can sprinkle the chlorine on the area that you need it on. The gloves should be worn in order to keep your skin safe since it is pretty concentrated. You’ll want to avoid any possible irritation that the chlorine can give you.

So the chlorine should sit for at least an hour and you’ll want to keep yourself, your kids and any pets away from the area because it will have a strong chlorine smell. Once the hour is over, you can rinse the chlorine off of your pavement. For a while you shouldn’t have to worry about any weeks trying to pop up through the cracks.