Asphalt Is Still The Best Paving Option For Residential Driveways. Here’s Why.

Hargrove SealcoatingIt can be said that a home is a reflection of its owners. Because of this, you always want to keep it looking as best as it can create a favorable first impression. Nice homes can have trimmed hedges, gates that aren’t rusting, and walls that have a fresh coat of paint.

Unfortunately, we often overlook the state of our driveways. If the driveway is in poor condition or made of subpar material, it diminishes the overall appeal of our homes. Hiring an asphalt paving contractor should be a priority when doing home improvements, especially if the property is up for sale. 

Let’s look at some of the paving materials available and discuss the pros and cons of each.

Stone/Gravel

We understand the appeal of gravel driveways. For one, these are very affordable; you can simply ask landscapers to drop a load of gravel on your property and rake it evenly across the surface. It drains well, too. 

However, it’s difficult to remove snow piling up without disturbing the material. Strong storms can also wash out the gravel, and it doesn’t do a great job of keeping weeds at bay. It’s not advisable to use gravel as a long-term paving material due to the upkeep involved.

Concrete

There are property owners who consider concrete as the premium residential driveway surface option since it’s expensive to install. 

On the other hand, concrete is not recommended for large surface areas and it easily becomes brittle when exposed to extreme temperature changes (i.e., cold and brutal winters) even when it’s professionally installed. While asphalt can be affected by soaring temperatures, the heat we experience isn’t as damaging to asphalt driveways the way freeze/thaw cycles can wreak havoc on concrete.

Brick

Just like concrete, brick driveways are considered premium. Individual blocks are strong, but there can be problems when they are laid out poorly and do not form a solid surface. Brick driveways are likewise prone to freeze/thaw cycles and do not prevent weeds from growing through the cracks.

Grass/Mud

If you live on a farm or in a rural area, guests can park their vehicles anywhere. This can result in mud and grass displacement. Additionally, guests may feel uncomfortable getting their vehicles or clothing dirty.

As a paving material for driveways, asphalt has several positive properties. It doesn’t get washed out, and with regular sealcoating and maintenance work, it can withstand the elements. With proper care, asphalt can look good as new for decades, which improves your property’s overall appeal.

Hargrove Sealcoating works with homeowners to complete asphalt driveway installation. Call us today to discuss asphalt paving solutions that are right for your home.

Serving Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson’s Station, Lewisburg, Murfreesboro, and Nashville, Hargrove Sealcoating is an expert in asphalt paving. Call them today at 931.619.6718. One of their service advisors will be happy to assist you.

Hargrove Sealcoating: Why We Offer Forestry Mulching

Hargrove SealcoatingMany of our clients have asked why a sealcoating company also offers forestry mulching services. The simple answer is because we can. As a Nashville-based company, Hargrove Sealcoating, like all other outdoor industries, slows down periodically throughout the year. It would truly be a waste of equipment to let it sit idle when it could be put to good use. Further, because we can clear underbrush in any season, our staff has an opportunity to work year-round.

There are many other benefits of forestry mulching, and Nashville landowners know how valuable a service it is. First is that clearing overgrown underbrush reduces competition for vital nutrients in the soil. By removing small trees and shrubbery, the larger trees have a better chance of surviving and thriving. Even more to the point, forestry mulching can remove invasive plants, like kudzu, and make room for local flora. This, in turn, ensures that native wildlife has access to the food it needs.

Another impressive perk of forestry mulching for Nashville landowners is that it creates absolutely zero waste. All of the debris, including leaves and limbs, that gets chipped up during the mulching process is laid back down on the ground. It then breaks down and fertilizes the soil underneath. Property owners do not have to go through the time and trouble (not to mention the danger) of burning, nor must they incur additional expenses by hauling excess brush to the dump. 

A healthier forest means healthier habitats for the animals that live there. Plus, by eliminating low-lying foliage, natural areas are safer for humans, too. Ticks, snakes, and rodents tend to hide in dense grasses and dead limbs; clearing a forest out for hunting, hiking, and traversing with an ATV can reduce the chances of coming into contact with these health hazards.

Things We Need Our Clients To Know

Many of our clients are curious about the process. That is understandable because forestry mulching is interesting to watch. However, it is important to know that the machine that does the work by rotating at around 2400 RPMs. This means that getting too close might result in an injury. Further, forestry mulching, especially in Nashville and the surrounding areas, is not always something you can quote with 100 percent accuracy. While we make every effort to walk through each project with our clients, there is often no way to foresee potential issues until you begin clearing the land. 

Something else that’s important to know before you sign a contract for forestry mulching is that you must tell your technician if there any specific plants or trees you would like to remain. For example, if you want sapling poplar trees left alone, we need to know in advance so that we can mark these and pay extra attention to the 10 or so feet around them.

At HargroveSealcoating, we want to offer the best services for our clients. Forestry mulching is one of these and is not only beneficial to our customers but to our employees as well. It is a Mother Earth-approved activity that no longer has to be done by hand. Contact us today to clear your land in a fraction of the time, no chainsaw required. Visit https://hargrovesealcoating.com/ today for more information.