How To Maintain Your Asphalt Driveway During Winter

Wintertime in the northeast is tough on our homes, cars, and even our driveways. If you have ever noticed potholes in your driveway during the spring, they were caused by the harsh winter environments. Use the following tips to make sure that your driveway looks like you remember it come March.

• Sealcoat your driveway before winter. If it has been more than two years since you've last sealcoated your asphalt driveway, you should do it before the first snowfall of the year. Re-sealing your driveway will restore the protective top layer and help keep water from penetrating the surface of your driveway and causing potholes.
• Keep your driveway clear of snow and ice. After a winter storm, it is important to rid your driveway of snow and ice as quickly as possible. Not only is it a safety hazard, the freezing and thawing process of the water will lead to cracks in your driveway.
• Don't use salt or other deicers. Rock salt and most chemical deicers are harmful to the environment and can corrode your driveway. Instead of using these harsh products, opt for sand – it provides traction on icy areas and absorbs heat from the sunlight to help speed up the melting process.
• Select your shovel carefully. Refrain from using snow shovels with metal blades, as they can damage your driveway by scraping it. Instead, use shovels with rubber blades, as they cause no harm to pavement surfaces.

If you live in Nassau County, New York and are in need of residential or commercial asphalt driveway repair, repaving, or snow removal, call Stasi Brothers at 516-997-PAVE. You can also visit our website for more information or connect with us on social media – we are active on both Facebook and Twitter.

How to Prevent Potholes in Your Driveway

Potholes are not only an eyesore, they are a hazard to your car. Whether on the street or in your own driveway, potholes can cause all sorts of problems including flat tires, rim damage, and steering system misalignment. If you are worried about potholes forming in your new driveway, use the tips in this article to prevent them.

How do potholes form?

Potholes are created when water penetrates the surface of the concrete and freezes. As the water begins to freeze, it expands, causing it to take up more and more space until the pavement is forced to bend and crack in order to make room. When the ice thaws and the water contracts, the pavement contracts too, leaving gaps and cracks on the surface. These cracks continue to get worse as more and more water enters and the cycle of expansion and contraction occurs over and over again. When the weight of an entire car drives over these weak spots, the concrete can't handle the pressure and begins to break one small piece at a time – which eventually leads to the formation of potholes.

How can I prevent potholes in my asphalt driveway?

Now that you know how potholes are formed, you have a better idea of how to prevent them. Some of the best prevention methods that we recommend are:

• Keep your driveway clean. Remember when you were a little kid and your mom told you that if you keep things clean they will last longer? Well, she was right. Keeping your asphalt driveway clean of snow, water, oil, and even yard clippings will go a long way in preserving its appearance.
• Sealcoat often. The first step in the formation of potholes occurs when water penetrates your driveway and seeps into the ground below the concrete. When a driveway is sealcoated, it adds a layer of protection on top which prevents water from passing through. Keeping a good sealcoating schedule will help prevent the seepage of water into your driveway and go a long way in keeping it free of potholes.
• Fix cracks before they become potholes. Potholes don't form overnight, it is a long and slow cycle which must repeat itself several times. Pay attention to your driveway for warning signs that potholes are on the horizon. If you see an area in your driveway cracking, be proactive and patch the cracks up before they turn into something worse.

If your driveway is covered in potholes, a repaving may be the best option. If you live in Nassau County and need your driveway paved, call Stasi Brothers at 516-997-7283. Stasi Brothers is Long Island's oldest and most reputable paving contractor, serving the area and its residents for a proud 52 years. For more information about our company, visit our website or like us on Facebook.

Safe Ways To Handle Icy Sidewalks – Alternatives to Rock Salt

Photo Credit: Flickr user Santheo

Winter weather is now here, and the sub-freezing temperatures provide a problem for homeowners across the northeast – ice. Many people with ice on their driveways or sidewalks use rock salt or chemical deicers to get rid of it, but this is not the best solution. Not only are these products harmful to your pets and the environment, they can also corrode the coating on your asphalt driveway. Instead of rock salt or other chemical deicers, opt for one of the following alternatives:

• Shovel. The blue collar way to deal with an ice problem – with a shovel. If you completely shovel your driveway after a storm, there will not be anything left on the surface to freeze. It may take a little bit of manual labor, but it is free and completely safe for your driveway and the environment.
• Sand. Sand is a great option for providing traction to icy surfaces. While it will not melt the ice, it provides you, your family, and any visitors to your house with a safe way to walk across it. Sand is the best option for traction because kitty litter gets messy in warmer temperatures.
• Safe Paw. Safe paw is an ice melter which has been proven to be safe for children, pets, and the environment. The salt-free formula of this product allows it to quickly melt the ice outside of your home without causing any damage to your concrete or the ecosystem, which is why it was awarded with PTPA's Green Product Seal.

If you have a snow or ice removal problem in Long Island or the New York Tri-State Area, you can rely on the services of Stasi Snow to clear your property. For more information, you can visit our website or call us at 516-997-7283.

Why Choose Stasi Brothers

When it comes to asphalt paving and masonry, all contractors are not created equal. The same job done with the same materials by two different contractors can produce two very different results. When it comes to your Nassau County paving project, here are a few reasons why you should choose Stasi Brothers.

Family Owned

We are so proud of our work that we put our last name on it. We have been family-owned since our inception and still provide our customers with the same care and attention to detail that we did in 1962. That is why we assign a Stasi family member to each job to ensure that you are completely satisfied with your final product.

BBB-Certified

The Better Business Bureau is a national service which has helped consumers find businesses they can trust for more than 100 years. Stasi Brothers has consistently exceed the expectations of both our customers and the Better Business Bureau, and for that we have earned a rare A+ accreditation. For more information on our A+ BBB rating, click here.

50+ Years Of Experience

Stasi Brothers was founded in 1962, which makes us the oldest asphalt and masonry company on Long Island. Even with several down periods in the economy, Stasi Brothers didn't just survive – we thrived. Our company and our workers constantly strive for perfection, and that is why we have stood the test of time.

Client List

Stasi Brothers has served over 16,000 residential customers here on Long Island. Our high quality equipment, materials, and workmanship has also caught the eye of several Municipal and Government Agencies, who have contracted us to meet their asphalt needs. Some of our satisfied customers include the Town of Oyster Bay, Westbury Fire Department, and the City of Long Beach.

Fully Licensed, Insured & Bonded

Stasi Brothers is fully licensed and insured, and bonded. What does this mean for you? It means that we are certified to perform contractor services in the state of New York. Because we are insured, if there is an accident that results in damages to your home and property, you will not be responsible for paying the full amount. Not only that, we are also bonded, which protects you from poor or incomplete work provided by us. (Not that it would ever happen!)

For more information about our company, please visit our website or call 416-997-PAVE. You can also connect with us on social media – we are active on Twitter and Facebook.

How Asphalt is Made

Asphalt is one of the most commonly-used materials in the country. Over 90% of America's 2.6 million miles of paved roads are surfaced with asphalt. We drive on it every day during our commutes and park our cars on it every night when we get home, yet most people don't know anything about it. This article will provide you with a brief understanding of the production process of asphalt cement.

Asphalt is not the smooth black pavement that you probably picture it as. Asphalt is actually a byproduct of the petroleum industry and is essentially leftover residue from the oil refining process. In this form, asphalt is a durable binding material which is resistant to both weather and chemicals.

Asphalt is solid at room temperature, so it must be heated to roughly 300ºF until its consistency becomes tar-like. It is then put in a rotating drum and mixed with sand and crushed stone until it thoroughly coats the gravel. After mixing, it is poured, flattened, and compressed with a steamroller to pave roads, highways, and parking lots. Asphalt is very versatile and can also be used in a variety of other products, such as roof shingles.

Stasi Brothers is an asphalt contractor and masonry company located on Long Island. We have been serving Nassau County for more than 50 years and have earned an A+ accreditation rating with the BBB. You can visit our website for more information or connect with us on social media – we are active on both Twitter and Facebook.

5 Reasons to Consider Asphalt for Your Driveway

If you are considering a new driveway for your home, there is a good chance that you are debating between asphalt and concrete. If you want a durable and appealing driveway that is also eco-friendly, asphalt is the choice for you. Asphalt pavement offers many benefits, including:

• Environmental Friendliness. Not only is asphalt a 100% recyclable material, it is the most recycled material in the United States. According to the EPA, over 73 million tons of asphalt is recycled every single year. Asphalt is a completely safe and friendly option for the environment.
• Durability. Asphalt is a very strong and durable paving material. With proper maintenance, an asphalt driveway could last decades. It is not susceptible to flaking like concrete driveways are – especially ones which were poorly installed.
• Ease of Installation. Asphalt offers a much quicker and easier installation process than concrete does. Most of the time, a new asphalt driveway can be completely paved and ready for use in under 48 hours.
• Low Maintenance. Maintaining your asphalt driveway is an easy process, and one which does not need to be done often. Applying a layer of sealcoat to the surface of your driveway is all it takes to maintain its finish, and this only needs to be done every two or three years.
• Beautiful Black Finish. In addition to all of its functional and economical qualities, asphalt also provides an aesthetic appeal which concrete does not. The deep black finish also retains more heat from the sun, so snow and ice melt faster during the winter.

Stasi Brothers is an asphalt paving company located in Nassau County, New York. We have been in business for a very proud 52 years, and have earned an A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. To learn more about our services, call 516-997-PAVE or visit our website. You can also connect with us on social media – we are active on both Twitter and Facebook.

Snow Shoveling Tips for Your Driveway

Heavy snow is an annual occurrence in Nassau County, and one that will occur soon. Many people have the luxury of owning a snow blower or using a snow removal service like Stasi Snow, but for some life isn't so easy. If you are one of the brave warriors who shovels their driveway, we feel for you. That is why we are giving you these tips to shovel your driveway as quickly, easily, and safely as possible.

Safety First

Shoveling snow may seem like no more than a chore, but it is a physical activity (and can be a quite rigorous one depending on the quantity and weight of the snow) and should be treated as such. Proper precautions must be taken, such as stretching before starting and making sure to keep hydrated if it will be a long job. You will want to dress warm, but be careful not to overdress – you will quickly heat up once you start working.

Shovel in a Spider Web Fashion

The Wall Street Journal recommends shoveling your driveway in the pattern of a spider web for optimal efficiency. To do this, start in the center of the driveway, and shovel out to one corner. Continue walking back to the center and shoveling to the other three corners so there is a big “X” in your driveway. Then shovel the remaining spots, outlining your previous paths, as shown in the picture below. Doing this not only increases efficiency, it allows you to shovel shorter and shorter distances as your body tires.

Don't Shovel the Same Snow Twice

This is the cardinal rule of shoveling snow. If you choose not to use the shoveling method pictured above, pick a routine which prevents you from moving the same snow twice. Dump the first shovelfuls further away from you, and progressively drop them closer and closer as you progress through the driveway.

Save The Apron for Last

This goes hand-in-hand with the last tip, but save shoveling the apron of your driveway for last. The apron is the spot where your driveway meets the street. The reason you will want to save the apron for last is because chances are good that a plow will come by while you are shoveling and push snow from the street on to it. Not touching this spot until the end will ensure that you do not have to shovel a big pile of snow twice.

Stasi Brothers is a paving contractor and snow management serviced located in Nassau County, New York. We have been in business for a proud 52 years and hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. For a full list of our services, visit our website or call 516-997-PAVE. You can also connect with us on social media by following us on Twitter or liking our page on Facebook.