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.