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The Next Line:
Where Technology Meets the Trade by Mark Estrada, “Captn Striper” Twenty years ago, when I stepped into the pavement marking industry, the future looked a lot different. We measured parking lots by hand. We stretched string lines, snapped chalk, read plans, counted...
Hats Off to the Heart of the Construction Industry
by Kristi Ronyak One of the most remarkable things about the construction industry is not just the roads, bridges, buildings, and infrastructure we create—it’s the people behind them. Throughout my travels across the United States, I have witnessed firsthand the...
Small Details. Better Repairs.
The Little Things That Make Infrared Repairs Last We’ve all seen them. A patch that looked great the day it was finished...then six months later it’s raveling around the edges, settling, or standing out like a black square in the middle of the pavement. Usually, that...
You Only Get One Chance at Compaction
We’ve all driven past a parking lot or roadway that looked brand new just a few years ago, only to wonder why it’s already beginning to crack, ravel or show signs of wear. While there are plenty of factors that influence pavement performance, one of the biggest often...
The Next Big Change in the Asphalt Industry:
The Shift Away From Diesel By Matthew Rigsbee Everyone knows that the asphalt industry is old, outdated, and full of guys who are stuck in their old ways of doing things, right? I’d honestly be shocked if you wholeheartedly answered “yes.” You see, it’s a common...
Small Fissures, Massive Failures: Seal Your Asphalt Before It’s Too Late
By Nihal Pandrapragada Asphalt provides a remarkably smooth, flexible, and durable driving surface, but its longevity relies entirely on the structural integrity of the ground beneath it. While engineered to withstand heavy axle loads, environmental exposure and...
Beating the Heat: Managing Summer Challenges in Asphalt Paving
By Lauren Platts For paving contractors, summer often brings peak production season. Longer days, favorable weather, and packed schedules create opportunities to maximize output and complete projects efficiently. However, rising temperatures also introduce challenges...
Minimizing Dust When Street Sweeping
Dust accumulates rather quickly in municipal, construction and industrial sites, creating environmental, operational and air-quality concerns. One of the primary benefits of street sweeping in these environments is reducing pollution. Effective sweeping removes...
Additives: Revolutionizing Sealcoating Performance
By Nihal Pandrapragada Simply defined, additives are specialty chemicals used to enhance the performance of sealcoatings. By analogy, additives are the “flavors and spices” of a sealer. These products are specifically designed by material suppliers to boost...
Most Asphalt Contractors Don’t Have a Work Problem
They Have a Process Problem By Jared Hislop In this industry, some contractors are trying to get more leads… and others already have more work coming in than they can keep up with. But here’s the reality: Most contractors are losing jobs they should be winning. Not...
Crack Sealing Efficacy
Does crack sealing actually work? Here’s what the research shows. By Patrick Yeagle Time is always at a premium for pavement professionals. If you’re just sealcoating a lot or chip sealing a road, why spend extra time addressing cracks? It’s all going to be covered...
Getting Ready for Sweeping Season:
From Shop Floor to Street By Maxx Hendriks Sweeping season doesn’t start when the truck leaves the yard. It begins the moment preventive maintenance wraps up, and the fleet transitions from inspection mode to production mode. For municipalities, contractors, DOT...
Winning the Job Before the Asphalt Hits the Ground
Why presentation and brand consistency are helping contractors win more jobs By Abigal Smathers The world of asphalt contracting is highly competitive, and today, that’s truer than ever. With a decline in traditional paving opportunities and an increase in large...
Paint That Thinks
How Parking Lot Striping Quietly Controls Human Behavior, Liability, and Revenue by Mark Estrada “Captn Striper” Most people think parking lot striping is simple. Lines go here. Arrows point there. ADA stalls meet code. Fire lanes stay red. Done. But if that’s all...
The Unsung Hero Beneath Our Feet: Understanding Sealcoatings
by Nihal Pandrapragada Asphalt pavements, from bustling highways to quiet driveways, are a predominant part of modern infrastructure. While their robust appearance suggests invincibility, asphalt is, in fact, a vulnerable material susceptible to the relentless assault...
Keep Asphalt Crews Happy Through the Off-Season
For asphalt paving companies, the off-season can be just as important as peak construction months. Cold weather, reduced hours, and uncertainty can strain morale and lead skilled crew members to seek work elsewhere. Retaining experienced paving crews through the...
A Turning Point for Construction Angels
State Representatives rise to expand hope, compassion, and support for construction families nationwide By Kristi Ronyak Life has a curious way of guiding us through detours we never planned. Sometimes, the very obstacles that frustrate us become the catalysts for...
ADA Compliance for Commercial Parking Lots:
Striping, Signage and Staying Within the Law Ensuring your commercial parking lot complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is more than a legal requirement — it’s a commitment to accessibility, inclusivity and community responsibility. The ADA, enacted...
Warm-Mix Asphalt Is Helping Reduce Emissions in the Paving Industry
Why Should Contractors Consider It ... The paving industry has traditionally relied on hot-mix asphalt (HMA) as the standard for road construction. While effective and durable, HMA requires mixing and laying materials at temperatures between 275°F and 350°F, which...
A Review of Commercially Available Systems for In-Place Asphalt Density Measurements and How They Work
By Garrett Winkelmaier, Ph.D Asphalt compaction is widely recognized as the most significant indicator of roadway quality because it directly affects the performance and lifespan of pavement. Compaction is influenced by a range of factors, from the asphalt mix design...
The Intertwining of Safety & Technology
Kevin Garcia The difference between a safe workday and a close call often comes down to split-second decisions and having the right information at the right time. The technologies that contractors are implementing on paving projects today aren’t just about precision...
Stronger Together: Creating a Culture of Safety on Every Jobsite Safety Starts with Us
By Corrine Collina Each day in construction, men and women head out to jobsites that keep our roads open, our bridges strong and our towns moving forward. It’s tough, honest work, but it also comes with real risks. From heavy equipment to roadside traffic,...
A Really Hot Topic
When is infrared repair the right option? By Lori Helms It’s an accepted industry standard that the infrared process for asphalt patching has its advantages. As a contractor, it’s imperative that not only do you understand the fundamentals of the process and its...
The Lifeblood of Business:
The Importance of Cash Flow Management Gary S. Goldman In the ever-evolving landscape of business, the phrase “cash is king” resonates more than ever. While profit often garners the spotlight, maintaining a healthy cash flow is what truly sustains day-to-day...
