Asphalt Pavement Checklist for Facilities Maintenance

Most property managers have facilities maintenance checklists for the interior and exterior of their buildings including the landscaping and parking lots.  On a regular basis, the items on these checklists are reviewed; repairs are noted and performed to keep the property in pristine condition.  In this article we’ll focus on the items on those checklists that refer to the upkeep of a facilities parking lot.

Asphalt Pavement Checklist

1)    Asphalt Sealing

Why should I sealcoat my asphalt?

Sealcoating asphalt pavement protects the surface of a parking lot from oxidation and damage from oil, gas and salt.  It also minimizes the need for asphalt repairs by weatherizing the surface which helps prevent water from being able to seep into cracks.  If not properly sealed, pavement starts to unravel and potholes form.

After installation, asphalt should be sealed between six months and a year and then approximately every two years after depending on weather conditions, traffic patterns, and wear and tear.

2)    Crack Filling

What should be done about cracks in your asphalt?

Each year, your parking lot should be inspected for asphalt cracks.  Sealing cracks in asphalt prevents moisture from degrading the structural components of the surface.  For asphalt cracks that are smaller than a quarter of an inch wide, sealcoat can be used.  However, cracks that exceed these dimensions will require your paving contractor to apply a crack sealer. 

To perform this necessary maintenance, the crack should be cleaned of all debris, including loose asphalt, vegetation and other foreign objects.  Once the crack sealer is applied and has set, the pavement should be properly sealcoated for ultimate protection.

3)    Pothole Repair

Why do potholes form?

Potholes occur when water permeates asphalt pavement through a crack in the surface.  Combined with wear and tear, the soil beneath the crack will soften, and eventually create a depression.  Over time, the asphalt will unravel and breakdown into its sub-particles – gravel, sand and stones. 

In northern states, asphalt patches applied in winter months typically do not hold up as well as potholes repairs that were made during warmer months.  Due to the mild temperatures in Florida, pothole repairs can be completed almost year round.

4)    Asphalt Pavement Replacement

When should I replace asphalt pavement?

Often it’s difficult for someone without years of asphalt pavement experience to determine just by looking at a parking lot whether it can be repaired or, due to cost of repairs, it is a better financial decision to replace it entirely.  That’s where the professionals come into play. 

Over time, even a parking lot that has been well-maintained over the years will eventually deteriorate and need replacement.  Asphalt experts will analyze the entire paved area for the current conditions.  A few other factors that need consideration are drainage, traffic load and any issues caused by landscape – such as a large tree with roots wreaking havoc under a pavements surface.

About ABC Paving and Sealcoating

With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida's leading paving contractor.  ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including:  asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and site preparation.  We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner.  For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at http://pavingandsealcoating.com or call 866-934-7623 for a free estimate.

Top 8 Things a Janitorial Service Can Do For Your Business

If you’re on the fence about hiring a janitorial service for your commercial facility, just take a quick look at some of the benefits and services you gain from contracting with a cleaning company.

1)    Personnel – With a cleaning service or janitorial service, you don’t have to hire in-house employees.  You contract with a maintenance company for those services.

2)    Office Cleaning – Your offices are kept clean and orderly on a daily or weekly basis according to the needs of your particular facility.

3)    Restroom Sanitation – With a janitorial service, your restrooms are regularly restocked with toilet paper, hand towels, soap, air freshener and seat covers.  Proper sanitation of the restrooms including cleaning of the toilets, urinals, partitions, walls, floors, sinks, fixtures, countertops, and mirrors is also taken care of for you by your cleaning service.

4)    Green Cleaning Services – The environment and your health is important to all of us.  To reduce the amount of chemicals in your workplace atmosphere and our world, professional green cleaning offers non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning products which are safe, reliable and efficient.

5)    Emergency Cleaning Services – In the event of a natural disaster, break-in or other situation where your office space is in need of emergency cleaning, your janitorial service can assist you with this type of clean-up.  Janitorial services have emergency response teams available for dispatch in the event of an unanticipated cleaning event.

6)    Window and Skylight Cleaning – Having a polished image of your company starts with the curb appeal of your facility.  Plus, spotless windows let in more sunlight improving the mood and energy levels of your employees and customers.  A janitorial service can provide this cost-effective way to improve the look and feel of your facility.

7)    Pressure Washing – Welcoming your customers to your parking lot and business with a clean exterior appearance is important.  High-pressure sprayers and hydro cleaning methods restore and maintain building exteriors, roofs, concrete walkways and sidewalks.  Commercial cleaning services that offer pressure washing for the exterior of your facility can even offer a service that includes use of  an EPA compliant, water recovery system.

8)    Day Porter Services – A continuous flow of visitors through your building poses a significant challenge in terms of housekeeping.  Day porter services can be contracted to keep common areas like cafeterias, lobbies, lounges and conference rooms clean.  They can also assist with window cleaning, monitoring the restrooms for cleaning and paper supply replenishment.

About American Facility Services

Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service. AFS Janitorial, a division of AFS, provides cleanings services to a wide range of facilities including commercial cleaning in high-rise office buildings, restaurants, and auto dealerships.  With offices in Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, AFS’ portfolio of commercial facility services enable our clients the convenience of working with a single provider for all their commercial property needs.  Contact AFS today at 866-793-3735 or visit our website at http://www.afsflorida.com for an online proposal.

Parking Lot Sweeping Services

Sweeping services are an important part of a facilities maintenance plan in that they remove debris from your parking lot. Hiring a sweeping service can eliminate the need to hire additional staff and ensure your parking lot is kept clean and in good repair. Doing so not only extends the life of your asphalt pavement. It also provides long-term benefits to your facilities maintenance program – for instance, a sweeping service can alert you to asphalt cracks, pothole repairs that are needed, and other maintenance issues before they become a huge problem.  

Why Sweep Your Parking Lot?
There are many reasons to sweep a commercial parking lot:  

Appearance - The appearance of your facility has a direct impact on the behavior of the visitors to your business. Not only does parking lot sweeping help maintain a clean image and attract new customers, it also encourages visitors not to be untidy themselves.
  
Safety - Debris like broken glass, paper, leaves and other lawn waste accumulate in a parking lot over just a few days. Not only does this type of debris create an unsightly appearance, but it can also pose a safety hazard to pedestrians and their vehicles.  

Environmental Concerns - State-of-the-art parking lot sweeping machines help remove unsightly trash, and clean up sand, dirt, rocks and other items. If left untouched, this manmade and natural trash causes a series of problems for not only a commercial property, but also the environment. In a facility parking area, when it rains -- and in Florida, it rains a lot, as the rain water runs-off it will pick up these items causing drains to clog. This can allow water to sit on your asphalt, cause erosion issues and, additionally, these items, along with oil and grease can cause pollution of our streams and lakes.  
What Areas Should Be Swept?
Any surface where dirt and debris collect in your facility’s parking lot can be swept. These areas include, but are not limited to:
• Parking Lots
• Sidewalks
• Entrances
• Loading Docks
• Dumpster Enclosures

Tip: A commercial sweeping company should spend more than half of their time out of the sweeping machine to hand pick trash or hand sweep any hard to reach areas. This added measure will assure that your parking lot is in top notch shape.

In conclusion, remember that regular parking lot sweeping is an important part of your parking lot maintenance program. It:
• Maximizes Curb Appeal
• Extends Life of Asphalt Pavement and
• Minimizes Runoff Pollutants.
You will definitely see that taking the time to schedule a little parking lot maintenance, like sweeping services, goes a long way!  

About American Facility Services

Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service. AFS General Contracting, a division of AFS, is a State Certified General Contractor. With offices in Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, AFS offers a wide range of including: general contracting, tenant improvements, build-outs, renovations, new construction, facility maintenance services and more. AFS provides a complete range of services, so our clients have the convenience of working with a single provider for all their commercial property needs. Contact AFS today at 866-793-3735 or visit our website at http://www.afsflorida.com for an online proposal.

Commercial Painting

Commercial painting is an important part of any facilities maintenance plan. It helps keep a building looking fresh and inviting while protecting the structure from damage, with minimal expense. A commercial painter can offer the following services:

• All Phases of Prep Work
• Interior Painting – including walls, window casings, base moldings, ceilings, doors and door trim, cabinets, wainscoting, chair rails, and even floors.
• Exterior Painting – using commercial grade paint.
• Preserving
• Sealing
• Caulking
• Clean Up Work  

Benefits of Hiring a Commercial Painter
Although most facilities personnel could probably paint a room or two in a pinch, for a professional and lasting finish, it’s best to leave the painting up to the professionals. Here are some benefits to hiring a commercial painter:

• A professional painter knows how to prep the surface before painting.
• Commercial painters know what paints to use for what surfaces – and what brushes!
• Hiring a commercial painter saves you and your staff time and energy.
• They use low odor (low VOC) paints to allow normal business operations to continue without interruption.
 • Practice does make perfect! Commercial painters have many, many hours of painting experience under their belts. Their lines are straight, they can evenly apply coats and their work is lasting.  

How to Hire a Painting Contractor
• Ask for referrals. Talk to other facilities managers about whom they use for their commercial painting needs.
 • Do your research! If you’re hiring someone off the internet, once you narrow your selection, ask your contractor for referrals. A qualified painting contractor will have many to share!
• The cheapest bid isn’t always the best price. Keep this in mind -- what seems like the best bid ends up costing more in both time and money, not to mention stress and frustration.
 • Are they state licensed? In the state of Florida, it’s best to make sure your commercial painter is more than a handyman. You want a state licensed contractor. If your handyman does any damage to your facility, you won’t have any recourse.  

How You Can Help Your Painting Contractor
Although some commercial painting contractors will do all the prep work, there are some things you can do to make their job easier, less time consuming, and less expensive. For example:
• Take everything out. Clear away furniture, throw rugs, lamps, and any other knickknacks that can be easily moved – or accidentally damaged. Bigger pieces of furniture can usually be left in a room, moved to the center and covered.
• Dust baseboards, door jambs, sweep floors and remove any bulk debris.
• Remove doors, light fixtures, and outlet covers.  

About American Facility Services

Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service. AFS General Contracting, a division of AFS, is a State Certified General Contractor. With offices in Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, AFS offers a wide range of including: general contracting, tenant improvements, build-outs, renovations, new construction, facility maintenance services and more. AFS provides a complete range of services, so our clients have the convenience of working with a single provider for all their commercial property needs. Contact AFS today at 866-793-3735 or visit our website at http://www.afsflorida.com for an online proposal.

Thermoplastic Line Marking

Thermoplastic line markings are one of the most common types of applications used to mark travel lanes in parking lots and roadways.

 Line striping and pavement markings applied using thermoplastic create a wear and crack-resistant road signage. Even with asphalt pavement that experiences high traffic volumes, thermoplastic line markings are very durable. Additionally, the highly reflective quality of thermoplastic line markings makes for an excellent choice for road marking especially for nighttime visibility.  

What is Thermoplastic?
Thermoplastic is a road surface coating that consists of binders such as waxes, resins, anti-settling agents and plasticizers. The mixture also includes glass beads, pigments and filler material such as calcined flint, calcium carbonate, or silica.

Thermoplastic markings are applied using a specially designed vehicle at temperatures ranging from 180 to 200 degrees. Immediately following the application of the thermoplastic to the roads surface, additional glass beads are embedded into the hot material before the plastic hardens. These beads, aided by the pigment, provide the thermoplastic with its reflective qualities. As the marking wears during regular traffic use, beads are lost; however, the beads mixed within the binder are then uncovered providing long-term reflectivity.  

Discover the Benefits of Thermoplastic Line Marking
Thermoplastic line markings have many benefits:

Safety Considerations – Traffic and pedestrian safety is at the top of the list of factors to use thermoplastic line markings. Adding a level of safety, especially at night and in wet conditions, the glass beads offer reflectivity for night time visibility as well as skid and slip resistance for pedestrian safety.

 Image Quality – There are few, if any, problems with chip marks, cracking or impact shattering of the image or line.  

Durable – The thermoplastic mixture is applied a temperature of about 180 to 200 degrees. When applied, the formula physically melts in the top layers of the asphalt’s surface forming a strong and long lasting thermal bond. Additionally, grease and oil do not have any effect on the line markings.  

Reflective – Thermoplastic line marking offers a highly reflective performance. When glass beads are combined with yellow or white pigment, the most common colors for thermoplastic line markings, the line markings are highly reflective.  

Environmentally Friendly – Thermoplastic has been used since the late 1950s. The mixture lacks VOC (volatile organic compound) solvents and has been deemed safe for the environment.  

Quick Application – Thermoplastic can be quickly and accurately applied to a variety of surface choices.

Whether you’re looking to mark parking lot spaces, designate special purposes spaces for disabled parking spots, loading and unloading zones, or time-restricted parking areas, thermoplastic line markings are an ideal choice.  

About ABC Paving and Sealcoating With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida's leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and site preparation. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at http://pavingandsealcoating.com or call 866-934-7623 for a free estimate.

Why You Need an Asphalt Sealer on Your Parking Lot

Asphalt sealer makes a huge difference in the visual appeal of a parking lot and the entrance to any business. Driving into a parking lot that has had a fresh coat of asphalt sealer recently applied gives the appearance of a clean, well-kept establishment. But, that’s not all sealcoating does! Asphalt sealcoating protects a parking lot surface from the elements and from erosion.

Asphalt pavement is a pliable surface which makes it more forgiving than concrete. Taking years to fully cure, during the first couple of years, especially on hot sunny days, minor scarring can occur from tractor tires and other heavy vehicles making sharp turns. While these dents don’t necessarily hurt the structural integrity of the pavements surface, what you should look out for are cracks. Asphalt cracks can indicate a serious issue.  

Asphalt Cracks and Water
If you begin seeing asphalt cracks in your parking lots surface, they deserve a closer look. Water that seeps into asphalt though cracks causes damage. As water runs over a parking lot its constant wear and tear breaks down the asphalt, eroding away the smaller pieces. This erosion leads to a bigger problem, foundation erosion. Left untreated, a small crack penetrated by water will turn into a pothole and into a large repair bills.  

First Layer of Defense
High-quality, commercial grade asphalt sealer should be applied to a new asphalt parking lot after the surface cures, which will take approximately 90 days. After the initial sealcoating, a good rule of thumb to reapply another coat of asphalt sealer is two years. This time frame can vary slightly depending on a few factors such as climate, amount of wear and tear from traffic and other environmental issues. In general, when the surface of the asphalt begins to fade, it’s time to sealcoat.

Sealcoating does exactly what it sounds like it should do. It seals the surface of the parking lot. Once sealed, water will roll off your pavement instead of soaking in to the substructure.  

Asphalt Parking Lots Deserve the Best Care
In Florida, with the hot sun, asphalt sealer will dry quickly. In some regions, quick drying additives can be used to speed drying times. However, in most cases, traffic can return to its usual drive patterns within twelve hours.

Installing an asphalt surface can be quite an investment for a commercial property. Protecting such an investment with asphalt sealer just makes good financial sense.  

About ABC Paving and Sealcoating With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida's leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and site preparation. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at http://pavingandsealcoating.com or call 866-934-7623 for a free estimate.

Tribute Video Clip ‘A Stream of Memories’ Added to Frazer Consultants Tribute Center

Nature lovers will appreciate this peaceful, water lily-filled video scenery created for use with Frazer Consultants Tribute Center video creation software.  

Waunakee, WI., August 5, 2013 – Another powerful and personal tribute video clip has been released by Frazer Consultants, a personalization, technology, and consulting company for the funeral industry. The latest release, ‘A Stream of Memories’ can be used to personalize the intro and ending for tribute videos created with Tribute Center.

As a stream gently babbles in the background, the new video, “A Stream of Memories’, fills the screen with serene images of water lilies and personal family photos floating by peacefully in the water.

“’A Stream of Memories’ is an ideal selection for the life celebration of a loved one that grew up on a lake or near stream,” said Matt Frazer, Consultant with Frazer Consultants. “This video will captivate family and friends and makes for a perfect intro and ending for a nature lover’s tribute video.”

Tribute Center puts the power of tribute video creation into the hands of the funeral professional. With no need to outsource, the easy-to-use funeral software is menu driven featuring a point and click system. The user can upload and manipulate photos, add videos, add music, edit text, and burn the tribute to DVD in just minutes.

 The tribute video clips created by Frazer Consultants have been crafted to wholly personalize video tributes. Adding a more personal touch to the introduction and ending of a tribute video, hundreds of clips like ‘A Stream of Memories’ are available in Frazer Consultants online library.

“For a family wishing to create a personalized keepsake, a DVD tribute video is an ideal selection. Not only will the tribute video become a family treasure, it’s something that can be used at a memorial service, it makes good use of family photos and videos. Instead of outdated display boards or photo albums, a tribute video can make family photos come to life. They also can be viewed again and again by future generations,” stated Frazer.

Thousands of other funeral homes are using Tribute Center for tribute videos, funeral stationery, funeral candles, memorial keepsakes, and funeral webcasting. “If your funeral home isn’t already using our software, just give us a call. We’d be happy to demo it for you,” added Frazer.  

About Frazer Consultants

Frazer Consultants primary products and services include interactive funeral home website design, funeral tribute video software, funeral webcasting, funeral candles, funeral keepsakes, funeral register books, personalized funeral stationery, temporary grave markers and funeral holiday remembrance ornaments. For more information, please visit http://www.frazerconsultants.com or call 866-372-9372.