Paving, Preparing, Training

After a long winter, our crews are finally back to work fulltime.  The paving crew has been working at the Oliver's Market on Stony Point Road, and the sealcoat crew is busy getting everything ready to start the season.  It's great to hear the sounds of the trucks, equipment and crew members in the yard again.  We've hit the point where winter projects are wrapping up and new projects are beginning. 

Today we had our OSHA required forklift training.  Here at Stripe 'N' Seal & Aaron Paving we train all of our crew members.  This year we were able to hold the training at our new facility.  Robert Turley with Northbay Lift Truck Certification performed the training and it sounded like the crews had a good time, I'm sure the donuts might have helped!  If you find a need for forklift training, we had a really good experience with Robert and you probably will too!  Check out his website:  http://www.northbaylifttruck.com/

Our very first sealcoat job is on the schedule for this Saturday, weather permitting.  We are planning on sealcoating the playground at a local elementary school.  Hopefully weather will cooperate and we can get things started.  We have nice jobs lined out to start the season and are very excited about what is in store for our company and our clients.

Crew Members Gathering for Forklift Training

Instructor:  Robert Turley

Brad (Paving) preparing the forklift for demonstrations

Brad (Sealing/Striping) and Lloyd (Paving)

Waiting for the demonstration

Jose (Paving), Cameron (Yard), Joe (Paving Foreman) & Dan (Paving) 

Lloyd (Paving) takes a test drive

Whether the weather be good...

If you are lucky enough to live in or around Sonoma County, you know how blessed we have been the last few weeks with this gorgeous spring-like weather. Ok, so right now its rainy and windy but we were blessed for a while there!  This spring like weather kept our phones ringing and our striping crew striping.

Several of our clients have called lately to see if they can get their asphalt sealing (or sealcoating) projects on the schedule.  It's important to know that just because we are having warm days, the weather conditions are still extremely problematic for sealing.  The long, cold nights and less daylight hours make for less than ideal conditions.

To ensure the most attractive and lasting finish, sealcoat should only be applied when conditions are right.  Here are the TOP 5 Conditions that should be met:

1. Asphalt is completely dry
2. No rain is forecast for at least 24 hours after anticipated completion date
3. Ambient temperature is 65 degrees and rising
4. Sealcoated areas can be assured of getting 6-8 hours of direct sun
5. No frost or freezing forecast 24 hours after completion

We understand that our clients are eager to get their asphalt maintenance projects taken care of and we are eager to take care of them.  However, our foremost concern is to do the best job possible the first time. Adhering to these TOP 5 Conditions helps to ensure our clients get the best job possible.  Once April rolls around, the weather conditions will improve and our sealing crews will be back at it full time.  If you are anything like me, you probably are having a hard time coping with the fact that it's mid – February already. Time flies and April is surely just around the corner.

Hand Placement of Sealcoat Material - Sealcoat Placing Machine shown in the background