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Category Archives: Construction
Asphalt Overlay vs. Asphalt Sealcoating
Asphalt is a paving option that has minimal maintenance, but it is not maintenance free. Similarly, while asphalt pavement generally holds up well against the elements and vehicle traffic, problems can arise from time to time. Two maintenance and/or repair options you have with asphalt pavement is an asphalt overlay or asphalt sealcoating, but they are not the same thing. The use of either depends on the state of your current asphalt pavement.
Overlays vs. Sealcoating
There are a few differences between sealcoating and overlays, and they are related to how each option is used. Sealcoating is a thin coat of liquid that is added over the top of existing asphalt pavement in order to protect it. Sealcoating is not meant to work as a repair or patch for cracked or crumbling asphalt. It renews the attractive dark color of the asphalt pavement and protects the pavement from the sun’s UV rays, water, dirt, and liquids from vehicles. It is recommended to have asphalt sealcoated every three years or so to protect the asphalt pavement. Sealcoating should also be done to asphalt pavement that has recently had any cracks or potholes repaired.
Overlay, on the other hand, is meant to act as a temporary fix to asphalt pavement that is cracked or has potholes. It is a fresh layer of asphalt that is laid over the old, damaged asphalt pavement. It can generally extend the life of damaged asphalt pavement for a year or two, but the underlying damage will eventually resurface. An overlay is basically a lifeline for asphalt pavement to extend the life of the pavement for a year or two until a complete asphalt replacement can be done.
An experienced and reputable asphalt paving company life Tucker Paving can assess whether your asphalt pavement would benefit most from asphalt sealcoating, asphalt overlay, repairs and sealcoating, or a complete replacement of the existing asphalt. Using a knowledgeable company is the best option for ensuring your asphalt lasts for years to come.
Tucker Paving is an asphalt and concrete paving construction company with over 25 years of experience in the asphalt and concrete paving industry! Contact us online, or call us at (863)299-2262 for help with your asphalt paving project.
Making Your Concrete Driveway’s Curbs More Appealing
A concrete driveway can add serious curb appeal to your home, and there are many design options for the driveway itself that up the curb appeal factor beyond just a standard concrete driveway. Concrete is a strong, affordable, and low-maintenance choice for a driveway, and it can boost your home’s value as well. Adding additional embellishments on top of the many advantages of a concrete driveway can really make your home a stunner that is the talk of the neighborhood.
Embellishments for a Concrete Driveway
Your concrete driveway doesn’t have to be plain; there are many options for upgrades and embellishments that will increase the curb appeal of your home. Options include:
- Resurfacing. If your concrete driveway is in good shape, an experienced concrete company like Tucker Paving should be able to resurface your concrete driveway to give it a facelift. Additional embellishments can then be added to make your concrete driveway really pop.
- Stamped designs. Special stamps can be used in the drying concrete to give the driveway the look of brick, slate, or stone but without the higher price of those materials!
- Stains and tints. Your concrete driveway can be stained or tinted to a variety of colors and combinations to accentuate your home and landscaping. There are a variety of colors in many hues and shades to choose from to compliment or contrast with your home and landscaping.
- Texture. The wet concrete of your driveway can be given a texture to add interest and a touch of distinction to your property, making your home really stand out. Textures can be as subtle or as bold as you want.
All of these embellishments can be used together to create a concrete driveway that is truly unique and that adds interest to your home and landscaping. Designs can be created using stamps, stains, and texture to all work in tandem. You can complement your home’s colors, design, and overall feel to create a one-of-a-kind concrete driveway that makes your home a showcase!
Tucker Paving has over 25 years of experience in the concrete and asphalt construction paving industry. We offer concrete paving as well as many other concrete construction. Call us at (863)299-2262, or contact us online, for your next parking lot project!
Land Clearing Isn’t One Size Fits All
Preparing a raw piece of land for construction usually involves land clearing as an initial step, and it can be a very involved process. There is an array of types of land clearing that can be utilized to clear the land of trees and bushes, other vegetation, rocks, and other debris, and adjust the topography of the land. The goal of land clearing is to create a clear and clean land area that provides a base for construction with an eye towards controlling water runoff. Explore the different land clearing methods used on construction sites.
Types of Land Clearing
The methods used to clear and prepare a piece of undeveloped land for construction will obviously depend on the features of the raw piece of land. It’s an important first step that has a big impact on the finished construction site. Types of land clearing include:
- Chain Saw Clearing. A piece of land that is densely wooded will likely first be cleared with chain saws. Basically, trees are cut down and the trunks removed. Larger sites may utilize bigger machinery for cutting down trees. Some trees may be left to be a part of the landscape of the finished construction.
- Bulldozing. Heavy machinery such as bulldozers, backhoes, and skid loaders or skid-steer tractors are used to remove tree stumps, small trees, bushes, rocks, and any other debris that may be present that needs to be removed.
- Earth Grading. Heavy machinery such as bulldozers is utilized again to adjust the topography of the land to form a stable base for construction and to control the flow of rainwater runoff on the completed site. This may include adding in gravel or sand, moving large amounts of earth, removing soil and rocks from the job site, digging drainage ponds and ditches, and more. Planning and digging for future utilities for the finished construction can also be a part of Earth Grading.
Land clearing is an important first step that preps the site for construction. Tucker Paving offers construction site services that include site clearing, site grading, stabilized subgrade, base work, asphalt paving, and underground utilities in addition to concrete curbs, sidewalks, slabs, and tie-beams. We have over 25 years of experience in construction, including land clearing, land preparation, and asphalt and concrete paving. Contact us online, or give us a call at?(863) 299-2262, for assistance with your next site clearing project!
Hurricanes Are Inevitable; Havoc in the Aftermath Shouldn’t Be
Tucker Paving has been in the asphalt and concrete paving industry in Central Florida for over 25 years, so we are no strangers to the havoc a natural disaster like a hurricane can wreak on a construction site. Storm surge, rain, and high winds can all cause a significant amount of damage to a construction site. Exacerbating the problem is the unfinished nature of a construction site, the large amount of materials that are usually found that can be turned into projectiles in high winds, and utilities that are more exposed than in finished construction. See what should be on your to-do list for your construction site after a storm has passed.
What to Do After a Hurricane Hits the Construction Site
Having a Hurricane Recovery Team should be part of your company’s overall plan for preparing for and dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane. Your company’s plan should include having a team for preparing the construction site for an oncoming storm and another team—the Hurricane Recovery Team—to deal with the aftermath of a storm. Steps the Recovery Team should take include:
- Assessing damage after a safety all-clear. Once it is deemed safe for people to travel to and visit the construction site, the Recovery Team should visit to take an assessment of the damage and formulate a plan for recovery. The team should look at standing water, debris, and the instability of anything that has already been erected, and the status of machinery, tools, and materials.
- Plan for water removal. Having standing water on a construction site is dangerous for numerous reasons, including posing a danger to workers and materials, it softens the ground and the fact that the water could be polluted.
- Check for unseen hazards. The Recovery Team should also check for leaking gas lines, look for downed power lines, and ensure fire protection systems are in working order, if applicable.
- Clean up and resecure. The Recovery Team should clean up any dangerous debris and resecure any materials, machinery, or tools that became exposed during the storm.
- Call back the crew. Lastly, there should be a process in place for calling the construction crew back to work once the site is safe, clean, and secure.
Contact Tucker Paving online, or call us at (863) 299-2262, for assistance with your next asphalt or concrete paving project!
Construction Sites Need Hurricane Prep, Too
The Atlantic Hurricane Season starts on June 1, and most storm forecasters are calling for a busy year with many storms and a higher-than-average number of strong storms. Being prepared is key to weathering a tropical storm or hurricane, and it’s not just homeowners who need to be ready if a big storm hits. Preparing your construction site for a hurricane is important to minimize damage and liability if a strong storm makes landfall. See the recommendations for securing your construction site ahead of a hurricane or tropical storm.
Preparing Your Construction Site for a Hurricane
Being prepared for a big storm minimizes damage to a construction site and reduces a construction company’s liability. Both save time and money, allowing construction to resume faster after a storm has passed. It’s advised that a construction company write a Hurricane Preparation Plan before any storm is near that outlines what must be done to prepare and who is responsible for doing it. This may also include working with local building departments.
Your Hurricane Preparation Plan should include:
- Securing the job site. Materials, machines, and tools must be secured or removed so that they do not become airborne in the high winds of a tropical storm or hurricane. Include any signs, construction fencing, trash, dumpsters, and portable bathrooms in the plan.
- Secure paperwork like plans and other documents, and electronics, in a safe location.
- Protect in-progress utility systems from sand and water, both from rain and storm surge.
- Cut power to the site and enact plans for utilizing power generators and fuel after the storm.
- Enact plans for water removal, such as placing pumps in basements or excavations so they are ready to go as soon as it’s safe.
- Remove or secure hazardous chemicals as construction companies are on the hook for cleanup if any hazardous chemicals make it into the environment.
- Ensure the security of buildings or structures. Take steps to make sure your construction projects and adjacent buildings are boarded up and secure.
Remember to assess the damage to your construction site after the storm has passed with extreme caution.
Tucker Paving has been in the asphalt and concrete paving industry for over 25 years in the Sunshine State, and serving Central Florida for over 50 years, so we’ve seen our share of major hurricanes! Contact us online, or call us at?(863) 299-2262, for assistance with your next asphalt or concrete paving project!
Keep ADA Rules in Mind During Construction and Alterations
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990, and its requirements took effect in 1992. In short, the ADA requires that buildings such as public accommodations, commercial facilities, and local and state government facilities be built so that all individuals—regardless of their ability—are able to use a building with minimal impediment. Make sure you are constructing or remodeling your buildings and spaces to comply with ADA requirements or expect heavy consequences.
Complying With ADA Requirements
The purpose of the ADA is to give everyone equal access. Ensuring that your building or space provides equal access to those with handicaps is the right thing to do. It can also be costly to do otherwise. Fines can be between $55,000 to $75,000 for the first offense, and double that for additional offenses. Additionally, not complying with the ADA can leave you open to lawsuits.
There are many ADA requirements for commercial buildings, but some of the most common include:
- Hardware on doors that everyone can access.
- Public and company bathrooms that can be accessed by anyone.
- Parking that is accessible to those with disabilities and have it labeled and enforced as such.
- Wide door frames to allow wheelchairs to fit through.
- Drinking fountains that are accessible to all.
- Flooring that does not restrict or impede mobility.
- Grab bars and railings in locations where they could be needed.
- Handicap ramps and/or installing curb cuts; a building is required to have 60 percent of entrances and exits be accessible to those with disabilities.
- Furniture and other furnishings, or any feature, that do not create barriers to receiving service.
Find the complete list of requirements in the ADA Checklist.
Tucker Paving has over 25 years of experience in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. We are very familiar with ADA requirements for residential, commercial, and municipal construction regarding sidewalks, curbs, and more. Contact us today by calling?(863) 299-2262, or fill out our contact form online, to let our experts handle your next paving project!
What’s Changed in Florida’s Building Codes for 2021?
Explore the changes you’ll see in the latest edition of the Florida Building Code.
The Florida Building Commission is required by law to update the Florida Building Code every three years, and 2020 saw many meetings, multiple code modification proposals, and a slew of comments from the public to arrive at The Florida Building Code, 7th Edition (2020). The new codes took effect on January 1st, 2021. Explore an overview of the changes made—some of them quite significant—to The Florida Building Code.
Changes to The Florida Building Code
The Florida Building Code sets minimum standards concerning the design, construction, compliance, and regulations that aim to ensure buildings are safe and secure. Changes that were made to the code in the last update include:
- Roofing requirements – building, residential, and existing building. Changes include roof assembly requirements aimed at improving wind damage resistance and minimizing water infiltration. These include changes to the underlayment, wind loads, mitigation for roofs, soffits, and certain wiring methods.
- Wind loads – building and residential. The new code updated wind criteria to align with ASCE 7-16 (Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures), which has important changes concerning wind load provisions, including criteria for rooftop solar panels, higher design wind pressures on roofs of buildings with a mean roof height of under 60 feet, and for attached canopies. There is also a new wind speed map for Risk Category IV for High-Velocity Hurricane Zones.
- Energy conservation volumes – residential and commercial. There are significant new residential provision changes, such as prohibition on electric resistance space heating for prescriptive projects in Climate Zone 2, new minimum equipment efficiencies, a minimum fan efficacy stipulation for heat recovery ventilation for energy recovery ventilation for whole-house mechanical ventilation, and more. Changes to the code concerning commercial provisions include changes to a variety of control requirements for various commercial buildings.
Tucker Paving has been a part of the construction industry in the asphalt and concrete paving sector for over 25 years. Contact us online, or call us at?(863) 299-2262, for assistance with your asphalt and concrete paving projects!
Drones in the Construction Industry
Explore how drones are taking the construction industry by storm.
There are numerous facets to a construction project, and each one requires tracking and verification for a project to be completed on-time and under budget. The latest technology aimed at tackling these tasks is drones. Also called unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, drones are being utilized in multiple areas on and off a construction site.
Uses for Drones on a Construction Site
There are numerous tasks that a drone can complete with ease, especially when combined with other technology, such as thermal cameras, mapping tools, and GPS. Drones can be utilized for:
Mapping. From grading and surveying to comparing the final product to its designs, drones can map out a construction site, taking images and videos. Software and apps can convert those images to valuable data and advanced analytics about a job site.
Tracking. Working as eyes in the sky, drones can keep track of numerous parts of any job site. Tracking can be applied to keeping tabs on the progress of a worksite, but drones can also be used to track machinery, equipment, and vehicles to keep an inventory and deter theft.
Inspecting. Drones can effortlessly travel to the top of high buildings, under bridges, to remote corners of a worksite, and to just about any area that would be difficult for workers to access quickly and easily. This allows for inspections prior to repairs, provides visual inspection verification requirements, and more.
Managing worksites. From the day-to-day work on a job site to monitoring weekly and monthly progress, the data from a drone provides key insights into progress, work-flow, and monitoring all of the many details that require verification, approval, and assessment.
Marketing. Drone footage is phenomenal when it comes to marketing a construction company’s capabilities and scope of work.
Tucker Paving has extensive experience in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. We’re well-versed in a variety of residential, commercial, and municipal projects. Contact us today by calling?(863) 299-2262, or fill out our contact form online, to let our experts handle your next concrete or asphalt paving project!
Is Your Home Ready for Hurricane Season?
Make sure you and your home are prepared in case a hurricane passes over your neck of the woods
Hurricane season is swiftly approaching, and it’s time to be proactive and start preparing now. The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1, giving you a few months to get ready. While you’re stocking up on water and checking your battery supply, make sure you are preparing your home as well. Since “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” now is the time to prepare your home for a major storm to prevent significant damage as much as possible.
Preparing Your Home for a Hurricane
Prepping your home for a hurricane can be divided into categories, and there will be both short-term and long-term improvements you can make.
Roof
Your roof is one of the most likely areas to sustain damage in a hurricane.
- Check the state of your roof and make repairs and add sealant where needed.
- Install metal roof straps if your roof currently doesn’t have any.
- Inspect roof trusses and fix or replace those without enough bracing.
- Have your roof re-shingled with impact-resistant shingles.
Windows and Doors
Faulty windows or doors can let wind and rain into your home.
- Check the seams and seals of all doors and windows and make necessary repairs or replacements.
- Add deadbolts to doors to increase their strength.
- Make sure window locks work so you can lock your windows ahead of an approaching storm.
- Have impact-resistant windows and doors installed.
Outdoor and Lawn Areas
Pay attention to the areas around your home too, as everything that is not secure poses a danger to your home as a projectile.
- Check that all outdoor features—porches, decks, sheds, carports, fencing, etc.—are in good repair and are anchored.
- Move all patio furniture, lawn ornaments, birdbaths, etc. indoors.
- Trim trees within 10 feet of your home.
- Clean your gutters to prevent overflow damage to siding, roof, and foundation.
- Inspect your foundation for damage, cracks, or distress to ensure water doesn’t find a way in.
Tucker Paving has been in the Central Florida area for over 25 years, and we know the damage a powerful storm can do. We specialize in the asphalt and concrete paving industry, working on residential, commercial, and municipal projects. Contact us online, or give us a call at?(863) 299-2262, for your asphalt or concrete paving project!