The American Dream

 

We built this company from the ground up in one of the most competitive markets imaginable. There was no money, no equipment or experience from any previous generations, it was just us and our determination to succeed. Many will never understand the struggle and the sacrifice that goes into making all of this a reality. The funny thing is no matter how many years pass that hunger, that desperation, that willingness to win no matter what, that stays with you. It doesn’t just go away because you’ve reached some imaginary plateau. A level where you get comfortable and let off the gas and let the work come to you instead of going out after as you had all those years before. See that’s how our “competition” lost control of their market, they got complacent, they always do. It is often difficult to keep that fire alive, to stay hungry, to keep that killer instinct. The one thing that has always kept me grounded is no matter how much success we’ve previously had I still look at us like we’re the underdogs, like we’re nobodies. That allows me to stay grounded, and to stay focused. It keeps me wanting to do more and give more. I come out of the house every morning willing to do whatever it takes to put us on top. It’s the same reason you’ve never seen me have an off day. They don’t exist, I don’t allow it. Each and every customer gets 100% of me from April until November. I don’t care how dirty the job is, if the pavements is already a lost cause, or about the money. I’m going to deliver the results you deserve better then anyone else who’s ever done it. I’ve said it time and time again. I’ll put our crew against anybody. You’re going to find out real quick our technique is superior and our equipment isn’t store bought. It’s tailor fitted and customized every inch of the way to work in harmony alongside us. Many companies would fall short and we are few in numbers. My biggest advice for anyone in this industry would be to stay true to yourself. Stay humble, stay hungry, and don’t forget what got you here. As soon as you stop caring or trying all of this can be lost just as quickly as it was gained. Keep your head down, hands dirty, and your customers happy.🇺🇸🇮🇹

The Heart Of The Operation

 

I just wanted to take this time to address the public first off to let you know how much we love all of you for supporting us these past twenty years. You have stuck by us through recessions, stock market crashes, housing bubbles, and now covid. We have worked ourselves to the bone season after season until the point when November finally comes around, and we just want to be left alone for months on end. This brings we to my second point. I don’t think anyone understands just how busy we actually are!? I know we are labeled a “small family business” from the small town of East Greenbush but we are so much more then that. Take Donna for instance she has been running our office since day one! That is twenty years of driveway talk over and over and over again. She is being asked the same questions every single day one hundred times over, and yet she does it all with a smile. These last few weeks with the storms she has been working from 8am-8pm, and some nights right on through until 11pm. So understand she is trying to get to everyone in a timely manner but she is only human. There isn’t another person in this country who could or would willingly do her job. Who out here can deal with 150+ phone calls everyday, scheduling 35-40 driveways everyday, trying to make a work schedule around this weather when we’re scheduled out three weeks in advance, and there is only 7 days in a week. So please be patient, be understanding, and just be human when dealing with her on the phone as it has been a whirlwind of a season. When I say one season with us is the equivalent of 4-5 seasons with another company I mean every word of it. Without her we would not be the company we are today.  She is one of the hardest working women I have ever known and we are proud to also be able to call her mom. What she has accomplished in that office and the level of organization she has brought to this company will never be outdone nor will it ever be replaceable. So let’s keep the phones ringing, the sealer slinging, and the driveways blinging! Thank you all so much for the love and support. 

Efficiency Is Everything

Everybody always wants to know our “secret” on how we get the results we get. Many people assume most of our photos are probably photoshopped. The truth is you have to move as fast as your body will allow. The hotter it is the faster you have to move! If you’ve ever painted the exterior of a house in direct sunlight then you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s funny because many homeowners look at our speed as a negative thing. I’m not sure if it’s because they feel they were short changed, think we must have missed something, or we must be performing an inferior job. We’ve even had customers have us come back to put on a second coat because they felt we were “rushing”. When in reality what you are witnessing is 20 years of evolution within a company. I think it’s rather impressive that most of us are closer to 40 than we are 20, and yet we out perform any other crew around here our age or younger. We’re faster now then we were when we were in our 20’s, and it all comes down to experience. Everyone always boasts about the years they have been in business 30 years, 40 years, and that’s great. Longevity is everybody’s goal, but time is merely a way to measure growth. So, if you break down what we’ve accomplished in two decades vs any other company in the country I can assure you the stats will not look the same. I have always said “one season with us is 3 to 4 seasons vs the average company”. Now I am in no way knocking any of the competition. I have respect for anyone willing to come out here to try an make a living as there are much easier ways to do it. I’m simply just stating the facts. It’s funny to me because when Michael Phelps trains his whole life to become the fastest swimmer in the world we cheer in amazement! When Usain Bolt runs faster than a cheetah we watch it over and over again on replay because we can’t possibly believe that what we are witnessing is real. But when Prestige Sealcoating shows up and completes your driveway from start to finish in 7 minutes there must be a problem. We have worked unbelievably hard our entire lives to be able to perform at this level. We run an up tempo offense all season long with no intentions of letting up. 

We’ve Kept Every One Since Day One

 

I know there is a huge push in the industry right now when it comes to GOOGLE and that’s great. I remember being on google+ before google was a thing. Anyone else remember having an active news feed on there? Oh it was terrible trying to upload and interact with customers. Call me old school but for me these reviews right here are all I’ll ever need to know we’ve accomplished what we set out to do in this business. Which was to provide outstanding customer service in an industry that at the time was a little shaky and untrustworthy. Now don’t get me wrong I love each and every individual that leaves us a review, likes or shares a post, or drops a comment from time to time on the internet or social media. But the notes held within these folders are REAL, from real customers who took the time to put pen to paper, fill out an envelope, lick a stamp, and place it in a mailbox. To me that’s special. This is just one of four folders I have in my home and honestly they’re one of my most prized possessions. They’re a direct result of the impact we have had in this industry and in our community. They’re also the reason you will never see me sweat a one star review because I know deep down it has very little to do with what we did as a company and it’s more a direct reflection on who they’re as a person. This is who we are and this is the company we have built from the ground up. Thank you all for the continued support and god bless. 

A Few Tips To Help Find The Right Contractor

 When it comes to commercial sealcoating we recommend you really do your research when selecting a contractor. 

A few simple things to look for or ask from a contractor. 

1) ask for referrals 

2) ask for the address of previous completed jobs

3) ask to see up to date insurance policies 

4) walk the lot with them and discuss in detail any repairs or areas of concern 

5) ask around and see if your friends, family, or fellow business owners have used their services.

6) check out their internet presence for a more in depth background and too read 🚩REVIEWS.🚩

7) ask about timelines and expected days or nights of completion.

8) and above all us trust your gut. If you have a bad feeling from the get go or at anytime then politely walk away

These tips will help you narrow out the weeds and find a credible contractor. And I can promise you the cheapest estimates you receive will do nothing for you in the long run. They will end up costing you more money in extensive repairs or replacements down the road that could of been prevented if you had hired a contractor with proven credentials and quality materials the first time around. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your parking lot.

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☎️(518)477-6123

📧prestigesealcoatingllc@gmail.com

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. #prestige #518 #greenfleet #capitaldistrict #capitalregion #drivewaysealing #residentialsealcoating #drivewaymaintenance #parkinglotsealing #commercialsealcoating #propertymaintenance #sealing #sealcoating #hotcrackfilling #hotcracksealing #patchwork #asphaltrepair #potholes #striping #linestriping #pavementmarkings #stencils #adacompliance #restriping #asphalt #blacktop #macadam #pavement #tips 

Thank You To 1,000 Fans

I just wanted to say thank you to all of our followers!! The likes, the comments, and the support we have received on social media over the years has been amazing and overwhelming at times.

 I have always said if we were a restaurant, a bar, a beauty salon, or anything car related we would have hit 1k likes our first year in. I get it sealing driveways isn’t for everyone and it’s not all that exciting. I could post 100 memes a month and talk about content not asphalt related, or do some controversial current topics to boost our numbers, but I’d rather not. 

 This page will always remain a place to come for sound asphalt maintenance advice and a visual representation of what “doing it right” looks like. We will always be here to help answer any questions or concerns you may have. Our main goal is to help you save money by preserving your asphalt. We are grateful for all of you who have allowed us to be your asphalt maintenance contractor throughout the years. 

 If any of you who are previous customers would care to leave us a review that would be extremely helpful. What many people don’t understand or realize in our industry is that a positive review let’s the public know “this is a safe company to do business with”. I can’t tell you how many times we go back and fix driveways every year for people who were taken advantage of. People who unfortunately hired the wrong contractor and are now worse off then where they started. Your positive review may just be the deciding factor that helps protect a neighbor or friend. 

 So, from all of us at Prestige we say thank you! Thank you for trusting us to be your asphalt maintenance contractor and thank you for making us a household name throughout the entire Capital Region. 

What Factors Speed Up The Readiness In Which My Driveway Needs Sealing

 

 

 The number one question we get asked is “how often or how soon should I seal my driveway?” So we’ve spoke a little about this in the past with new asphalt and how to tell when it’s ready to be sealed. So now let’s focus on the factors that will determine the intervals in which you should seal or re-seal your asphalt. 

 First and foremost the number one factor is how well was the driveway or parking lot installed? The choice of material and the knowledge and efficiency of the paving contractor is everything. You only get one shot at getting it right and there is no room for error, inexperience, or lack of execution. I can promise you this, if they drop the ball on their end the more frequently you will be seeing us. Resulting in higher maintenance cost that you will endure for the life cycle of that asphalt. When installed properly asphalt can last anywhere from 15-20 years and sometimes beyond with regularly scheduled maintenance. 

  The number two factor which will speed up the readiness or frequency in which your asphalt will need to be sealed is the level of sun exposure it receives. From the day the asphalt was installed the sun begins to take its toll. Over time the rich black pavement will oxidize and begin to turn more grey in color. The asphalt or (liquid binder) within the pavement that holds all those individual stones and fines (sand) together in a coherent mix begins to dry up. As soon as that starts to occur you will begin to see raveling or the (loosening of stones) break free and areas will begin to disintegrate. You will often see signs of this damage first at the bottom of the driveway or near the top when entering the garage on L shaped driveways. Anywhere there is excessive wheel turning, that added surface friction will sheer stones right out of the surface and can even shift material on a hot day or on a newer install. 

  Improper installation and sun exposure are two key factors requiring more frequent sealings. 

How Can I Tell If My New Asphalt Is Ready To Be Sealed

 

 

 Last week we recommended that you wait 1 year before sealing your brand new driveway to not interfere or potentially void your 1 year warranty provided by the installer. That being said, you may still be wondering “how do I know when my asphalt is ready to be sealed?”

 The number one fool proof way to tell if your pavement is ready to be sealed is to fill a five gallon bucket full of water and pour it over the surface of your driveway. In a bowling like move cascading the water quickly over the surface in a large fan pattern. Does the water lay flat and become absorbed by the pavement or does it bead off and run down the driveway? If the water lays flat and is absorbed into the surface it is more then likely ready to be sealed. If the water beads up and remains raised on the driveway or you see rainbow like colors in the water similar to when gas and water mix then it is to soon to be sealed. The oils are still to present in the asphalt which could have a direct negative effect if sealer were to be applied.

 Sealer applied to pavement to soon can usually do more harm then good. Often you will run into adhesion problems, improper or uneven coverage, and worse case could potentially soften the pavement or cause areas to become loose. 

Next week we will talk about some of the factors that speed up or prolong the readiness of your pavement in regards to your driveways first sealing.

When Should My New Asphalt Driveway Be Sealed

 

One of the things we get asked the most is how soon should I or can I seal my brand new driveway? 

 There are actually two correct answers to this question but I’m going to suggest following this one only.

The number one answer you may have heard or that I’m going to give you is to wait 1 YEAR. Many will say you want to let the asphalt sit for 12 months or experience all four seasons. Which there is some truth too but it is not why I’m recommending you wait a year. First off the one thing most people don’t fully understand is when your driveway is installed late in the fall, as soon as those winter months hit and we’re hovering below freezing temperatures for months on end the curing process of your asphalt gets put on hold. Now when Spring picks back up and things warm up your driveway is right back to where it was before it froze on the curing calendar. That’s why it’s not uncommon for a tire to sink in or jack stand on a 90° in July even though your driveway was paved last August or September. Even though it was close to that 1 year on the calendar. The oils in the asphalt are still present and when that driveway starts to heat back up the pavement becomes a little “soft” similar to when it was first layed. If you had paved your driveway in early spring this is less of a concern as your driveway would see much hotter temperatures and would be further along in the curing process come winter back into Spring. So then why the magical 1 YEAR recommendation from our company if the calendar date isn’t always an exact?

 The number one reason we’ll tell you to wait a year is for your personal protection. Almost every paving company in the area provides a 1 year warranty on their work. So if anything fails or isn’t to your liking within that first year most will make good on the situation. What they WON’T do is help you out if you were to seal your driveway within the warranty period. Sealing your driveway within the first year WILL VOID your warranty with most companies. And that is the only reason we suggest you wait. I’ll do a part two next week “how to know when my driveway is ready to be sealed.”

⚠️Caution!⚠️

  Is your driveway or parking lot a walking liability?

 You may have noticed it walking to the mailbox or a into a store that you frequently visit and thought to yourself “well jeez that wasn’t there before.” Your toe catches just a little bit of jagged pavement sticking up above the rest and sends you stumbling forward like a running back trying to pick up that extra yardage for the first down. Now it may not sound like a big deal to most or that I’m over exaggerating the level of danger that presence it’s self here. But you’re most likely only considering your current health and not necessarily the age and condition of all who cross your pavement. If this was your grandfather or grandmother who tripped it could easily result in a broken wrist, fractured or dislocated elbows and shoulders, hips, or worse. Slip and fall injuries happen all winter long but they’re more prominent from late February to early April because the ground is dry and your guard is down.

 So you might be asking what causes this phenomenon and can it be prevented?

 

Everyone always assumes the cold is what causes the most problems with asphalt and it can be to an extent. Fresh pavement is definitely more susceptible to snowplowing and heavy use of de-icers. But the biggest problem is the moisture! Every time it snows or rains moisture is penetrating your asphalt and getting down into the base. Every crack left wide open and untreated is a potential time bomb waiting to go off. So as the water starts collecting in these cracks and slowly building up underneath the driveway eventually comes along a cold day or a cold night. As the temperature drops and that water starts to freeze it begins to expand. With no where to go the water expansion will build up enough force to lift up on the pavement causing areas to heave and cracks to widen. Now the wider the crack or the more frequent they’re the more water your pavement is taking on. So what may seem like a beautiful 50° day in March with snow piles beginning to melt is actually a worse case scenario for your pavement when temperatures go back down to 28° at night. The constant back and forth temperature fluctuations and the excess moisture from rain and melting snow piles is just to much. One minute the earth is frozen next it’s thawed out and over saturated with water and then before you know it’s back to frozen. It’s a never ending cycle of destruction that can last 30-40+ days here, and every year the weather is a little different. 

No matter what we know the problem is unavoidable, we cannot control the weather and nobody understands that better then a sealcoating contractor. Not only that ALL ASPHALT CRACKS eventually. So what can you do? The number one proactive thing you can do is keep your cracks filled and sealed up water tight as often and as frequent as possible. No crackfill in the northeast is permanent not even our own, and we use some of the best product available in the nation. Most pavement in our area would benefit from being crackfilled every year for the life of the pavement. It’s fairly simple, the longer you keep the water out the better off you will be not only for the life of the pavement but for the safety of those walking across it. For more information about our crackfilling process you can check out our website or by all means give us a call or an email.