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.

How to Remove Oil Stains from an Asphalt Driveway

Did you know that August is National Curb Appeal Month? All month, homeowners have been encouraged to improve the visual appeal of their property, as seen from the street. Many homeowners know that this can include their house's paint, roofing, windows, lawn, and garden, but not many people think about their driveway. Nothing can ruin the attractiveness of an asphalt driveway like the eyesore of an oil stain.

We at Stasi Brothers know a thing or two about asphalt, as well as the importance of good home aesthetics. Here are some ways to remove a pesky oil stain from your driveway.

The sooner you treat the stain, the easier it is to remove. If you notice an oil stain tarnishing your driveway, you should begin trying to remove it as soon as possible. The longer you leave the stain to soak into the pavement, the more difficult it becomes to get rid of.

You can use what you already have. The good news about these oil stains is that they can be removed with common household products. After you soak up the excess oil with a disposable cloth or rag, you can eliminate what is left with one of the following products:

• Cat Litter – pour a generous amount of kitty litter over the stain and gently rub it into the ground with your foot. Allow the litter to sit for at least two hours (or overnight if it is an old stain) before sweeping it up and hosing off your driveway.
• Coca-Cola – depending on the size of the oil spot, pour a can or two of Coca-Cola (Pepsi works too!) on it and allow the soda to set in for 10 minutes. Then, scrub the spot with a brush and hose off your driveway when the stain has vanished.
• Dish Soap – this method works best on a cool day. Completely cover the stain with a liberal amount of dish soap (such as Dawn) and allow it to sit for an hour. Then, use a little bit of water and elbow grease to scrub it out with a brush. Hose off your driveway when done.
• Baking Soda – apply a liberal amount of baking soda over the oil stain and scrub it with a brush. Let it sit for approximately 30-45 minutes before washing it away.
• Laundry Detergent – you can use either a powdered or a liquid detergent for this method. No matter which kind you have, the method is the same. After covering the oil stain with detergent, add ¼ cup of water and scrub with a brush for 3-5 minutes before rinsing it away.

Stasi Brothers is Nassau County's leading provider of commercial and residential paving services. We have been family owned and operated for over 50 years, accumulating well over 15,000 satisfied customers in that time span. If you need your driveway repaved or any masonry services, contact us today!

3 Things That Attract Customers to a Parking Lot

Did you know that the look and design of the parking lot outside your storefront could be turning customers away? Think about it: A potential client sees your parking area before he or she even enters your store. That’s why it’s important that your parking lot makes an outstanding first impression. Below are three things that attract customers to a parking lot.

A smooth surface

First and foremost, a smooth, well-kept parking lot will attract customers to a parking lot. When you’re driving, you likely try to avoid potholes, cracks and puddles. It’s no different in a parking lot!

Furthermore, a blemish-free parking lot is also a safer parking lot. Taking care of obstructions lessens the likelihood of accidents and pedestrian injuries. With Premium Property Maintenance by Stasi Brothers, parking areas and walkways get immediate and constant attention throughout the year with one of Long Island’s largest assembly of equipment, manpower and training.

Beautiful landscaping

Landscaping and shrubbery not only help boost your commercial property’s curb appeal, but they also provide shade. Potential clients appreciate a shady parking lot because it can help keep their cars cool during the hot summer months. Stasi Brothers started out as a landscaping company, so we know everything there is to know about making your property look gorgeous.

Snow removal

Here on Long Island, we’re used to getting around in snowy conditions. After all, life in New York doesn’t stop for anything! Still, there’s nothing worse than a poorly plowed parking lot. Snow and ice will thwart customers from visiting your storefront.

Stasi Brothers is dedicated to keeping your property clear, safe and open for business throughout the rough winter months. In fact, snow and ice management has been one of our specialties since 1988! Our winter maintenance programs are tailored towards:

• County, town and village municipalities
• School districts
• Corporate office buildings
• Retail shopping centers
• Industrial properties
• Large parking areas
• Institutional facilities
• Hospitals
• Healthcare facilities
• Sports complexes

In short, Stasi Brothers excels at making your parking lot attractive to customers, helping to bring more business to your storefront. Dial 516-997-PAVE or tweet us @StasiBrothers today to get in touch with a representative! We’d love to discuss smart and unique ways to make your parking lot more alluring.

Get to Know Stasi Brothers

Here at Stasi Brothers, we take our client relationships seriously. Relationships are built on trust, and trust is built through knowing and understanding one another. Get to know Stasi Brothers by reading through this blog post.

Stasi Brothers launched in 1962 as a landscaping company. By 1964 we branched out to constructing asphalt driveways, Belgium block concrete and many forms of brickwork.

Stasi Brothers is a family owned and functioned business. Because it bears our family name, we take great pride in our work.

In 2012, we celebrated 50 years of business. In our 52 years of service, Stasi Brothers has served more than 16,000 satisfied customers here on Long Island, from New Hyde Park to Montauk, as well as dozens of municipal and government agencies.

We have remained one of the industry's leaders by keeping up to date with the state-of- the-art equipment and materials, as well as employing only the finest craftsmen in the business. Our staff comprises only the most seasoned field laborers, professional masons and the most experienced machine operators.

By setting high standards we have been able to produce quality work at reasonable prices for you! Our main goal is quality and the complete satisfaction of you, our customer.

Have more questions about what we do? Visit www.StasiBrothers.com and follow us on Google+!

How to Patch up Concrete Cracks

Although concrete is a durable surface, cracks happen. Whether you hate how they look or want to close up potential entry points for groundwater and insects, you’ll be happy to know that fixing cracks in concrete is possible!

Here in New York, concrete cracks are most often caused by seasonal temperature changes. Winter’s freezing and thawing cycles are tough on concrete, and in the summer, concrete expands. Cracks can also develop due to tree roots and movement in the soil. Here’s how to patch them up:

1. Clean your concrete

The first step is to thoroughly clean your driveway using a pressure washer. This will remove mold and mildew as well as dirt. Be sure to get into the cracks to remove dirt, debris and loose concrete.

2. Mix new concrete

Empty dry concrete mix into a bucket, and mix with water until you’ve reached a consistency similar to that of cookie dough.

3. Pour concrete into cracks

Once you’ve got the concrete all mixed up, pour it carefully into the cracks you wish to repair. Use a flat-edged tool to work the mixture in. Then, smooth it out.

4. Dry

The concrete will have to dry overnight. You may choose to resurface the entire area afterwards. This will help create a consistent look.

If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, don’t hesitate to call Stasi Brothers at 516-997-7283! We can also redo an entire space if your concrete cracks are too damaged to fix. Follow us on Google+ for more tips from Stasi Brothers.