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What time of year is best to seal driveway?

It's best to seal your driveway in the fall or the spring because the temperatures tend to be more moderate. In order to put seal coating on, the outside temperatures need to be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, the weather needs to be free of heavy rain for 24 hours.

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If you’re a homeowner who has a driveway with asphalt paving, you might not realize you need seal coating — or think that fall is too late to have seal coating done. Although seal coating in autumn has its challenges, it’s a much better alternative to asphalt repair or paving replacement later on. If you’re still unsure, here are four good reasons to seal coat your driveway before winter hits:

1: Cost-efficient

Seal coating your driveway is a solid investment, as it can prevent costly repairs down the road. If asphalt paving is left untreated, it will need total replacement much more frequently — which can be a huge expense and can disrupt your life. Sealing takes much less time and will save you money in the long run.

2: Protects against winter weather

The biggest reason to seal coat your driveway? It creates a protective barrier against the cold. The frequent freeze-thaw patterns of wintertime can wreak havoc on unprotected driveways. Asphalt paving can easily crack, due to the cycle of expansion and contraction, but seal coating will prevent these cracks from forming. It will also keep water from entering any existing cracks, which can stop further damage from occurring.

3: Extends pavement life

When seal coating prevents weather-related problems like cold weather and harsh UV damage, your driveway will last for a much longer period of time. Seal coating allows for a smoother, crack-free driveway, and because smoother pavements extend pavement life by as much as 10% to 25%, you won’t have to worry about replacement or repairs for a much longer period of time. Whether you’re planning on staying in your home for the foreseeable future or are looking to put your house on the market, any time you can extend the life of a major house feature is a coup for homeowners. Plus, having a smooth, beautiful driveway will add value to your home.

4: Perfect time of year

It’s best to seal your driveway in the fall or the spring because the temperatures tend to be more moderate. In order to put seal coating on, the outside temperatures need to be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, the weather needs to be free of heavy rain for 24 hours. When the changing leaves are still on the trees in early fall, it’s ideal weather for seal coating your driveway. Plus, sealing in fall gives you the best chance of protection from harsh winter weather. If you want to protect your asphalt paving this winter, be sure to seal coat this fall. Contact us today to find out more!

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How thick should a concrete slab be for a shop?

Standard thickness of the shop floor slab used is 4 inches. Depending upon the type load coming upon the slab, the thickness is increased. Light Loads – For light cars or trucks, the concrete should be at least four inches thick.

bigrockconcrete.ca - Concrete Shop Floors Okotoks

Construction of Garage Floor Slab

1. Preparation of Base

It's important to have solid and level base for placing the shop floor slab. The uneven or loose base will make the slab deflect. If the base soil is to be filled, then proper compaction must be insured to avoid uneven settlement. It is good to have a 4-6" crushed aggregate base on the soil on which the reinforcement can be placed. A 6-inch-thick slab weighs only about 75 psf, and live loads(vehicles) don't exceed 50 psf in a shop. Total max loads coming on the shop slab is 125psf. Even a low standard soil such as silt or clay easily supports 400psf.

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