What You Should Do Before Installing An Outdoor Patio

Check Your Local Laws & Regulations

If you are thinking about adding an outdoor patio to your home, you must make sure you do it legally. To save yourself from running into future trouble, check your local and state building codes to make sure that you obtain any necessary permits before you start planning or constructing your new outdoor patio.

Develop a Budget

Your budget doesn't need to be an exact spreadsheet of anticipated expenses down to the cent, but having a rough estimate will prevent you from overspending. A budget will give you an idea of what materials and services you can afford and will save you from spending more than you can afford on this project.

Locate Your Utility Lines

Before any digging begins, before you even pick the location of your patio, you should check to see if you have any underground utility lines in your yard and where they might be. A national “call before you dig” phone number can be reached by dialing 811 before starting any job which requires digging. Even jobs as small as planting a tree should be checked before starting to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.

Choose a Size and Location

Now it is time to plan the layout of your outdoor patio. Where do you want it to be located? How big do you want it to be? These are questions you should ask yourself during this phase of planning. Once you settle on a location, outline it with stakes in the ground tied with string and observe this area for a few days. Is it getting adequate sunlight? Does it take up too much of your yard? This is the time to change your mind about the physical aspects of your patio, not after it is already built.

Determine How You Will Use Your Patio

What is your patio going to be used for? If you plan on pacing something heavy on top of it, such as a grill, it is important to consider it now so that you can reinforce the base where necessary. It is also important to think about any gas, water, or electric lines you may require in the future so you can plan to make these future installations as easy as possible.

Choose Materials

This will be largely dictated by your budget, but your personal taste and preference also plays a role. Patios can be made out of concrete, stone, tile, or brick – all offering their own unique look. To get a better understanding of the pros and cons of each, you can look at this guide by How Stuff Works.

Hire a Contractor

Now comes the easy part; hiring a contractor to build your dream patio for you. If you live in Nassau County, you can simply give Stasi Brothers a call at 516-997-7283. We have been installing home patios for over 50 years, and the Better Business Bureau has accredited us with a rare A+ rating. If you do not live on Long Island or nearby, it is best to contact many contractors who provide service in your area and get quotes from them. Research to see which of these provide the highest-quality work and make sure you know exactly what their quote covers.

To learn more about Stasi Brothers and our services, you can visit our website or like us on Facebook.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Asphalt

 

Asphalt is one of America's most used materials – it is responsible for millions of miles worth of roads, parking lots, and highways. This is because it offers many benefits including cost-effectiveness, durability, and installation speed. Even though we drive on it every day back and forth from work, many people know almost nothing about it. Here are five facts about one of the most taken for granted substances in the world.

1. Of America's 2.6 million miles of paved roads, 93% are surfaced with asphalt.
2. The asphalt industry annually produces more than 500 million tons of asphalt concrete and employs over 300,000 Americans.
3. Asphalt is composed of roughly 95% stone and gravel and 5% asphalt cement, which is a petroleum product. The cement acts as a glue to hold the rock together.
4. Asphalt is America's most recycled material.
5. Asphalt it the most cost-efficient option for paving your driveway. With minimal maintenance, an asphalt driveway can last well over twenty years.

If you live in Nassau County and are considering an asphalt driveway, give Stasi Brothers a call at 516-997-PAVE. We have over 50 years of experience paving driveways, roads, and parking lots and have received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. You can also visit our website for more information or like us on Facebook for company news, promotions, and tips.

Source: AsphaltPavement.org

Driveway Repairs: Sealcoat or Repave?

Whether it is for resale value or maintaining a reputation around your neighborhood, homeowners know the importance of good curb appeal. Though it can greatly help or hurt a home's first impression, many people overlook the importance of an aesthetic driveway. If yours has cracks, holes, or other imperfections you have two options of fixing it; sealcoating and repaving. We will discuss the differences, pros, and cons of both methods below.

Sealcoating

As Sealmaster explains it, asphalt pavement is composed primarily stone held together by a binder known as asphalt cement. Over time, this binder begins to deteriorate due to a number of things such as U.V. Rays, water and rain, and daily/seasonal heating and cooling cycles which cause the pavement to expand and contract. Preserving this binder is the key to maintaining an appealing, healthy driveway.

The process of sealcoating involves installing a protective layer, known as a sealcoat, on the top level of your driveway. When applied correctly, this coating fills in minor cracks, provides a slip-resistant surface, and provides a beautiful black finish that makes your driveway look new.

Sealcoating should be used as a means of maintenance, it is not effective if your driveway is already badly degraded. When regularly applied as part of a maintenance schedule, sealcoating can more than triple the life of your asphalt driveway. How often you should sealcoat your driveway depends on what part of the world you live in and the climate conditions of your region. Contact a local paving contractor and ask if it's time for a fresh sealcoat.

Repaving

While sealcoating is used to maintain your new driveway and patch up minor impurities, repaving is the only option for driveways with severe deterioration. This is a complicated process that involves digging up your existing asphalt, repairing any weak spots in the foundation, then applying a brand new surface on top.

After your driveway gets repaved, your maintenance program should reset in order to preserve your investment for as long as possible. This means sealcoating every six months to a year, depending on where you live. Ask the contractor you hired what schedule is best for your driveway.

While repaving essentially gives you a new asphalt driveway, it is very expensive, costing several thousand dollars more than a sealcoat. Because of this, repaving should only be used when your driveway has decayed so much that a sealcoat would not help.

Stasi Brothers has been sealcoating and repaving residential driveways and commercial parking lots on Long Island for decades, leaving customers satisfied for more than 50 years. If you live in Nassau County and need your driveway repaired or repaved, call 516-997-PAVE today. You can also like us on Facebook to stay up to date with company news and receive contracting service-related facts and tips like these.

What Qualities You Should Look for in a Paving Contractor

Paving companies come in many shapes and sizes. No matter what area of the country you are in or what you need paved; be it a driveway, parking lot, blacktop, or something else; chances are you will have a variety of contractors to choose from. All of these choices may overwhelm you, especially when you don't know the first thing about paving projects. Luckily for you, the Stasi Brothers are here to help. Here are six key qualities you should seek when evaluating contractors.

Licensing & Certification

First things first. Most states require contractors to be licensed and certified in order to operate. This is to protect the customer from rip-offs and poor workmanship. Make sure all of the companies that you are considering have the proper licenses and certifications to conduct business in your state.

Price

Generally speaking, cheaper is better. However, this is not necessarily the case when getting quoted by a paving company. A cheaper price may mean lower quality materials, which will deteriorate faster and end up costing you more money in the long run. You should also consider factors such as if the price includes the removal of existing surfaces and clean up, and the estimated duration of the project.

Experience

It is important to research the history prospective companies and find out how long they have been in business. While quality of work is not solely determined by experience, it is easier to trust someone who has been in business for 50 years than it is to trust someone who has only completed a handful of jobs.

Reputation

This may be the most important quality on this list. A well-respected contractor with a sterling reputation makes it easy to sleep at night knowing that you have made the right choice. In order to accurately judge a company's reputation, it is important to use multiple sources. Searching the company online, asking them to provide testimonials, and seeing their past jobs in person are just some ways you can measure the quality of their work. 

Knowledge & Professionalism

A paving contractor should be knowledgeable and professional in your interactions. Ask several questions about the assignment. If they answer these questions quickly, confidently, and directly, it is a good sign. The contractor should always be punctual, courteous, and mindful of your worries and concerns when talking to them.

Warranties

If the company does not offer any warranties, it is a red flag. A company that is truly confident in their work will stand behind it and offer some kind of guarantee. Ask prospective companies what their warranty policies are and keep them in mind as you make your decision. 

If you are looking for a paving company in Nassau County, look no further than Stasi Brothers. For over 50 years, we have been meeting the asphalt needs of Long Island. Call 516-997-PAVE for a quote and like us on Facebook to stay up to date with company news.