http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/rss/feedsAlbatross Asphalt provides high quality work and exceptional customer approval. We have several areas of expertise and take pride in our amazing work.Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:05:34 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/asphalt-winter-care-follow-these-tips-to-protect-your-asphalthttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/asphalt-winter-care-follow-these-tips-to-protect-your-asphalt When you think of winter, you instantly think of snow, Christmas, sledding, hot chocolate, snow days, icicles and snowy roads. The one thing that you might not think of is how you will protect your asphalt surfaces during the winter months. Here are some tips and tricks to help you be prepared and ready for whatever this winter may bring us. Step 1: Prepare Before it gets blustery out, the best thing that you can do is clear your asphalt surface of any debri that may be laying on it. It could be things such as leaves, sticks, rocks, and etc. Once you have all of that cleared off, be sure to inspect your surface. If you see any excess oil on your asphalt surface, the best thing to do is to get non-clumping cat litter and pour over the spot. The cat litter will help absorb the excess oil. Once that is done, patch any holes and fill any cracks before water can get into them this winter Step 2: Calcium Chloride Rock salt can deteriorate the protection barrier on asphalt surfaces over time and allow water to infiltrate into the material. As the water gets into your asphalt surface, it can not only cause damage to your asphalt but rock salt can also damage your pets paws, cause corrosion on your vehicle, and damage the plants in your landscaping as well from the run off. By using the alternative of calcium chloride (which comes in crystals and pellets), you are choosing a something that is not only safe for your surface but also for your kids, vehicles, and pets too! Step 4: Your Shovel Matters Yep. You read that right. The type of shovel that you use on your asphalt surface is important. Be sure to use a lightweight plastic shovel after every 1-2 inches of snow so that snow and ice do not accumulate on your asphalt. Never use an ice pick or metal shovel as they can cause serious damage to your asphalt. If you are in an area that does typically get a lot of snow or you know that you will be unable to clear the snow properly, be sure to contact one of your local snow removal companies early to get on their list of properties they maintain during the winter months. If you have any concerns or questions in regards to caring for your asphalt during the winter months, give us a call and our seasoned asphalt experts will be happy to help! Tue, 29 Nov 2022 12:59:00 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/asphalt-vs-chip-and-sealhttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/asphalt-vs-chip-and-seal There are many choices we must make in life. How many creamers do I want in my coffee? Do I wake up or sleep in? Should I get gas now or wait until tomorrow? When planning out your next pavement project, you have to make the choice between asphalt and chip and seal. Today, we're going to give you the information you need to decide which type of pavement surface to get for your residential, commercial, or industrial area. Asphalt Paving: What is it? Asphalt paving is any paved area surfaced with asphalt. It is one of the most popular forms of pavement due to its lifespan and cost effectiveness. Pros of Asphalt Paving Asphalt is flexible in extreme weather situations. It is made up of several different materials such as aggregates, fillers, and binders. As time goes on, these materials strengthen and create the durability asphalt is know for. Asphalt has an average lifespan of about 25-30 years. These numbers vary quite a bit depending on climate and if the asphalt is taken care of properly. Asphalt paving is cost effective because of its longevity. Asphalt adds curb appeal to your area. Customers gravitate towards nice looking establishments that are easily accessible. An asphalt parking lot or walkway could be the icing on the cake for curb appeal of your business. Asphalt also has a sharp appearance in contrast to most house colors. Adding an asphalt driveway could revamp the look of your home! Cons of Paving Extreme heat can damage asphalt. As the temperature of asphalt rises, the softer the asphalt gets. It then becomes more susceptible to the weight of vehicles and other harsh weather conditions. This is more prominent in warmer climates, but it is still something to keep in mind as the temperatures fluctuate regularly in Ohio. Asphalt require more maintenance than chip and seal. It is recommended that you seal coat your asphalt every three to five years. As cracks and potholes plague your parking lot, road, or driveway, it is best to get them fixed in a timely manner to prevent further damage. Asphalt only comes in one form. If you want your next project to have a variation in style or color, asphalt is not the right choice for you. It only comes in the color black. Some people love the uniformity of asphalt, others do not. It really boils down to preference. Chip and Seal: What is it? Chip and seal combines a layer of asphalt with small stone chips. The combination is then secured into the ground by a roller. In our experience, chip and seal is the most popular in drivways and parking lots. Pros of Chip and Seal Chip and seal is more affordable than asphalt. It's around half the cost of asphalt and a third of the cost of concrete. Since it's a mixture of liquid asphalt and small stone chips, it costs less than laying pure asphalt. Since stones are used in the chip and seal mixture, it comes in many varieties. It can be customized to the color and texture of your choice. On hot days, chip and seal is a lot cooler than asphalt. Since the pavement is not jet black like asphalt, it doesn't absorb as much sun. Cons of Chip and Seal The longevity of chip and seal is around five to seven years, which is a lot less time when compared to asphalt. The lifespan could vary depending on traffic and weather conditions. It's time to replace your chip and seal when there are huge cracks in the pavement, chunks missing, or a loss of texture. Chip and seal is not as durable as asphalt. Inclement weather, such as snow, ice, and harsh winds can damage chip and seal easily. We hope this analysis brings you more clarity when deciding the right type of pavement for your next project. The next choice is easy. Choose Albatross Asphalt to complete your project with quality workmanship and years of experience. Give us a call at (330) 465-3375 today! Mon, 18 Jul 2022 11:43:00 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/protecting-your-asphalt-during-stormshttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/protecting-your-asphalt-during-storms Last week, many of the areas we serve, got hit by strong storms that caused a lot of property and electrical damage. While asphalt is weather resistant and very durable, in the event of a big storm, your asphalt could be damaged too! If another storm takes place, we want you and your asphalt to be prepared. Here are three tips on how to secure the survival of your asphalt during a storm: Know Your Asphalt What do we mean by know your asphalt? If the weatherman is predicting strong storms in your area, step outside and assess your asphalt's condition. Are there any cracks? What about dips or potholes? Do you see any drainage issues? These problem areas could lead to water intrusion and/or pooling water. These types of issues could weaken the asphalt's surface and the ground below it. When you know your asphalt, you can identify the small issues early and get them fixed as soon as possible. Think About Adding A Seal Coat Seal coat is an easy way to prevent water intrustion and protect your asphalt against the elements. It's a worthwhile investment that will keep you from paying too much in damage repair. Consult With The Experts Every asphalt situation is unqiue; no two projects are the same. If you notice major damage to your asphalt before a storm, call our company. We have many years of experience, and can find the best solution for your asphalt issue. We never think a storm can hit us bad until it does. We hope you have all stayed safe from the storm. With these tips, we know that your asphalt can brave any storm that comes its way. Thu, 23 Jun 2022 08:42:00 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/warm-weather-asphalt-carehttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/warm-weather-asphalt-care As the temperatures get warmer, it's necessary to keep up on the maintenance of your asphalt to keep it looking new and in good condition. Asphalt when cared for properly can help not only increase curb appeal but also last a long time. To keep your asphalt in good condition, here are a few things to do this Spring and Summer! 1) Don't Always Park In The Same Place We are all creatures of habit, right? Habits also include where we park our vehicles. Parking in the same place every day, along with the weight of your vehicle, can cause the asphalt to sink eventually. The suns heat can also soften the asphalt so the heavier your vehicle, the higher chance of sinking. To deter this from happening be sure to rotate where you park your vehicle each day and do not leave heavy lawn equipment, boats of RV's parked in the same location for long periods of time. 2) Keep An Eye On Pooling Water If there any places on your asphalt where water is pooling in a certain spot, it definitely needs addressed. While asphalt is water resistent, water will pool in areas where there are depressions and areas that might be uneven. Water pooling can cause small openings and pressure on the surface which will create larger issues such as potholes and cracks.The best time to look for these issues is after a storm when the water is at highest saturation point. These are issues that we can easily fix if caught in time. 3) Repair Cracks and Holes Cracks and holes can worsen in the warmer months due to rainfall and heat. If you see these problems start, be sure to call us right away to get them fixed. Thu, 28 Apr 2022 09:32:00 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/signs-that-it-is-time-to-replace-or-repair-your-drivewayhttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/signs-that-it-is-time-to-replace-or-repair-your-driveway Have you ever debated with yourself if your driveway needs replaced or just repaired? That can be a tough question sometime for someone that is not well versed in asphalt. When maintained correctly, asphalt driveways can increase the longevity of your driveway. At Albatross Asphalt, we make sure to go over all options with our customers before they decide what they want to do with their driveway. Here are some signs that will indicate if you need to talk to us about repairing or replacing your asphalt driveway: 1) Warping- if the surface of your driveway does not look level than most likely it has warped and could mean your base underneath the asphalt is comprised. 2) Sinkage- if your driveway seems to "sink" there is a high chance that there is water building up underneath your surface. 3) Small Cracks- sometimes these are called spider cracks. If you have cracks that are around 1/4 inch wide, they should be repaired immediately before they get worse and cause a larger problem. 3) Pot Holes- in colder climate states, we see pot holes a lot! If you happen to notice a pot hole in your driveway, call Albatross Asphalt immediately to get it fixed. Most of the time, pot holes can be an easy fix if caught in time. 4) Crumbling- this will most likely occur on the edges of your driveway because they were too thin to begin with. This is also an easy fix if caught in time. If you notice any of these things happening on your driveway, the best thing to do is give Albatross Asphalt a call at 330-465-3375 to set up an appointment to give you the best options for your need. Tue, 22 Mar 2022 09:09:00 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/the-8-most-common-types-of-paving-issues-we-seehttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/the-8-most-common-types-of-paving-issues-we-see Did you know that there are 8 common types of asphalt paving issues that we see the most? Each of these can be fixed by experienced professionals like Albatross Asphalt! The first type of paving issue that can occur is raveling. Raveling is the breakdown of asphalt that has dislodged from the surface. Raveling can cause uneven surfaces and standing water. The second type of paving issues are calle depressions. Depressions are low areas of pavement that do not penetrate the asphalt and are typically caused by poor compaction during paving. If a depression is not fixed quickly, the depression can weaken the surfaces integrity. The third type of paving issues and most commonly seen here in Ohio is potholes. Pot holes are round shaped depressions in a pavement surface that go all the way down through the asphalt layer to the base. As moisture gets into the affected area that the size of the pothole will increase, which can lead to serious damage of vehicles and pedestrians. The fourth type of asphalt paving issues is alligator cracking. Why do they call it that? Because it looks like alligator skin! Alligator cracking (also known as fatigue cracking) is one of the most common ways that pavement deteriorates over time. Things that can cause alligator cracking are a weakened base, pavement not thick enough, overloading or a combination of all of these. The fifth type of paving issue is longitudinal cracking. Longitudinal cracking is the cracking you see along driveways and roads that follow the direction of the asphalt applicaqtion. Reasons for longitudinal cracking are cracks reflecting up from an underlying layer, the shrinking/expansion of the asphalt temperature, and poorly constructed joints. The sixth type is block cracking. Block cracking is a patch of large, rectangular cracks in an asphalts surface. This type of issue normally covers a large area and happens due to the asphalt binder not being able to expand and contract with temperature cycles. The seventh type of paving issue is edge cracks. Edge cracks are very similar to longitudinal cracks but these develop within a feet or two of the outer edge of the pavement. Edge cracks are commonly seen on rural roads and driveways. Edge cracks can occur due to lack of support at the pavement edge, poor drainage, poor quality base/sub-base, and asphalt shrinkage. Lastly, the eight type of paving issue is asphalt upheaval. Asphalt upheaval happens when the soil expands underneath the affected area. Asphalt upheaval is caused by freezing and/or excess moisture. Frost, for example, can cause this type of stress on a surface. At Albatross Asphalt, we have experience fixing and preventing each of these paving issues. With many years of experience, Albatross Asphalt is your local experts in getting the job done right the first time. Mon, 24 Jan 2022 11:41:00 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/the-best-ways-to-protect-your-driveway-this-winterhttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/the-best-ways-to-protect-your-driveway-this-winter Living in Ohio means winters are filled with snow and ice. Icy driveways can be especially tricky during the winter months. Here are some good ways to protect your asphalt driveway during the winter months while also making it not so slippery. The first way that you can help add traction to your driveway on icy days is by spreading sand. Sand absorbs sunlight which then helps melt ice and snow without any harsh chemicals. Sand is also a good option because it also helps add traction to your driveway for any visitors you might have during the winter season. The second way can help make your asphalt driveway less slippery is by spreading kitty litter. While kitty litter will not melt ice and snow like sand will, it does help create traction to make your driveway less slippery. Kitty litter is best spread on top of snow to add traction. The third alternative that you can use to help de-ice your asphalt surface is to use white vinegar on your icy surface. Vinegar contains citric acid, which will help de-ice your asphalt surface. The only downside to using Vinegar is that you may have to apply it more than once before it starts working. Finally, the best non salt alternative to use on your asphalt surface is Calcium Chloride. Calcium Chloride is a less harsh alternative to salt and it works best in colder temperatures of 0-30 degrees Farenheit. Calcium Chloride can help keep the winter season fun for all while also keeping your asphalt surfaces in good conditions. Always check with your local asphalt experts if you are unsure of the best products to use on your surfaces! Wed, 01 Dec 2021 08:58:00 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/straight-to-the-facts-about-sealcoatinghttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/straight-to-the-facts-about-sealcoating When it comes to asphalt there are so many options! One of those options is asphalt sealcoating. So what is sealcoating? Sealcoating is an asphalt sealer that helps take your driveway back to that gorgeous black color that it had when it was first installed. It also has more benefits than just aesthetics too. By sealcoating you are helping block UV rays that can fade asphalt. Sealcoat also helps in retaining moisutre content so that the asphalt does not deteriorate over time as well. By putting sealer on your asphalt, you are almost helping to form a tougher barrier against automobile fluids that can soften asphalt and it helps to fill small voids in the pavement so that it looks even. When is the best time to sealcoat my driveway? The best times to sealcoat are from May to September. Why? Because the ground and air temperature have to be at least 50 degrees for it to work correctly. Once the sealcoat has been applied, we recommend waiting at least 24 hours before driving or parking vehicles on your surface. Who can I call for Asphalt Sealcoating? Us! Albatross Asphalt has years of experience in the asphalt business. Whether you are looking to sealcoat a residential driveway or a commericial property, you can trust us to get the job done right. Call Albatross Asphalt at 330-465-3375. Mon, 11 Oct 2021 02:44:00 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/the-importance-of-parking-lot-stripinghttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/the-importance-of-parking-lot-striping Ever wonder why parking lots have striping on them? Are they really that important to have on a parking lot? Actually they are important for multiple reasons! Parking lot striping creates a good first impression. When someone pulls into your parking lot, striping adds a level of crispness and quality at first impression. Your parking lot appearance creates a perception to the customer of the quality and safety of your business as well. Another reason why parking lot striping importance is because ADA (American Disabilities Act) requires that every commercial building has handicapped parking strips. By creating these spaces for handicap individuals, you are ensuring easy access to all customers and helps you avoid fines and penalities as a commercial property owner. Quality striping also helps safely guide both pedestrians and drivers because they indicate parking spaces, crosswalks, fire lanes, and even traffic flow. Lastly, parking lot striping helps maximize parking spots. Drivers cannot visualize where and how to park. By having poor asphalt paving striping, it can lead to client loss and inefficient use of space. Think of it this way... if a customer can't find a parking spot due to people being parked in a directions and widths, do you think they will make the effort to park somewhere else and walk to your store, or will they just go to another store? Most likely, they are going to just go somewhere else. If you own a commercial lot and your striping lines are fading, call Albatross Asphalt today. Albatross Asphalt can handle all your parking lot striping needs. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 02:18:00 -0700http://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/curb-appeal-can-help-your-businesshttp://www.albatrossasphalt.com/blog/post/curb-appeal-can-help-your-business If you had to choose which business to shop at just based on what their parking lot looked like, would you choose the one that had lots of cracks with weeds, potholes and no defined places to park or would you choose the store with the well manicured parking lot that has clean crisp lines, defined parking, and nice looking curbs that define where you walk as a customer and where you park? Without knowing anything else about either business, as humans, you would naturally be drawn to the store with the better parking lot. Why? Because in most circumstances, we are drawn towards things that look nice...the finer things in life if you will. Here are some other reasons why curbing is important too! Choosing to install curbing onto your property when revamping your parking lot has many benefits. One of those is that curbs help strengthen pavement. By installing curbs while the pavement is being installed helps maintain the integrity of the edges of the parking lot under traffic. It does this by adding thickness to the edges which in effect increases the strength and stiffness. Another benefit of having curbing is it prevents cars to an extent from running off the edge. It helps as a deterent when vehicles are parking, to park in the correct place and to also preserve the landscaping. Curbing can also help control water runn off and to direct the water towards the catch basins, which helps to prevent standing water throughout a parking lot. Curbing also increases safety in parking lots. As a business, safety is a large concern due to liability risks. By installing parking lot curbing, it provides a prominent border and offers direction, along with protection. If your parking lot is in disrepair or you are looking for a new look, contact Albatross Asphalt to schedule a consultation and assessment. Once the assessment has been completed, our Company can help to come up with a plan to get the job done. Call 330-465-3375 to schedule your consulation today!Mon, 26 Jul 2021 04:16:00 -0700