Why preserve a parking lot 1 yr after installation?

The bottom line:  IT SAVES MONEY!
Proven: FHWA, FAA, NAVFAC, MDOT, and AZDOT data all conclude, for $1 spent on Asphalt Preservation, up to $11 is saved by reducing replacement costs and extending pavement life.

Why does it work?
Preventing asphalt binder oxidation is a "first priority" and is critical to pavement longevity. According to FHWA research data, up to 80% of pavement flexibility is lost during the first 5 years. In other words, your pavements’ vital oils, essential for high performance, escape at a rapid pace and contribute to the Condition of your pavement.

While pavements in Good Condition, may perform well, you can sustain your lots in New Condition well before pavements begin to show signs of age and oxidation. GSB-88 ® (Gilsonite Sealer Binder), seals and traps all the New Oils present during manufacture deep inside that maintain, pliability, ductility, and flexibility—and keep the damaging weather and elements locked OUT of your binder.

Like the way butter seeps down into bread, GSB®’s unique molecular properties create a durable seal that not only keep aggregates tightly glued together, but penetrate down to become part of the matrix itself. The outcome is a binder with unmatched strength–durability and bonding properties with high density.

Original pavement performance, in this case, NEW CONDITION, is preserved for decades of trouble free pavements and load carrying capabilities!...and YOU SAVE MONEY!

A Healthy Outside Starts From the Inside!

Preserve the binder and maintain high pavement performance while doubling the life of your parking lots!

This is a different way of thinking about the health of your pavements. Rather than being REACTIVE to what happens to your asphalt and throwing a lot of money at repairs, this is a process of being PROACTIVE and protecting one of your most expensive assets!

Let us show you how to sustain your parking lots with GSB-88® as part of a sound Asphalt Preservation Maintenance Strategy! Contact Us Today!

GSB-88® received 4th GreenCircle® Certification!

We’ve all heard in the news the increasing scrutiny and even some lawsuits over health-food claims and misleading ingredients.

You may also be skeptical about new sealcoat products and their claims...but GSB-88® is not just another sealcoat! Gilsonite Sealer Binder comes from Gilsonite, a unique natural hydrocarbon high in asphaltenes and nitrogen compounds–completely unrefined; nothing taken out or added. And, GSB-88® can be tested with quantifiable and predictable results!

Just recently GSB-88® was submitted to the rigorous and Internationally accepted Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by 3rd party testing & analysis.

We proudly announce, on behalf of our distributor ASI, GSB-88® has received GreenCircle® Certification for the 4th consecutive year! GSB-88® received high scores in all categories, and GSB-88® remains the only product in its category to be recognized.

If utilized globally, GSB-88® could save 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year and billions of dollars in savings!

Click here to see the certificate here.

GSB-88® Saves Money / Improves Safety in Parking Lots!

While thousands of people slip and fall in parking lots each year, statistics have shown that most parking lot accidents are the result of slippery conditions in poorly maintained parking lots during the winter. And any other time during the year, very rarely does the average patron talking on their mobile device or carrying oversized packages–otherwise distracted–consider the safety of the pavement they are walking on. No matter the size, every inch of your parking lot needs to be carefully maintained because patrons walk over every part of it!

This is of the utmost importance, because, you, the parking lot owner could be held liable in court if an injury was caused by damaged/aging pavement, potholes, or crumbling curbs. In other words, if you are found to be negligent because your lot wasn’t kept properly safe you could be shelling out thousands of dollars in claims!

You have a few options when it comes to effective parking lot maintenance. You can wait until you see some raveling or cracks in the pavement and apply a fix that may only last a season–or you can get ahead of the damage with a pro-active Asphalt Preservation Strategy with GSB-88®. 



Because GSB-88® is not a typical coating, it’s unique regenerative properties allow the product to penetrate through and become part of the surface of asphalt pavement while preserving and strengthening the binder. Any deterioration your pavement may have been experiencing will be halted and the lot will actually retain the black “like-new” appearance.

Plus, applications of GSB-88® are quick-curing and require little downtime and last 2x as long as other processes–getting patrons back into your business a lot faster with fewer headaches.

GSB-88® saves you money and improves safety. Give us call and we’ll show you the difference!

Diverse Research Proves the Benefits of Preservation

As a family business, here at Gee, we have been conducting research on preservation products for close to 50 yrs and counting. But, as we all have observed firsthand, the asphalt industry has changed while costs have risen--and roads just don’t last as long as they used to. And, in response and under the mandate of reducing costs and sustaining vital infrastructure, many other entities (only some are listed above) have done independent research with all the same results:

The use of Preservation products can extend 2x the life of pavements and reduce overall maintenance costs.

But this research isn’t just filed away, it’s put into practice!

 While most of California’s highways are more than half a century old, they carry nearly half of the nation’s container freight. Recently the California Transportation Commission (Caltrans) initiated a “Fix It First” campaign, which includes preserving pavements that are in good condition from deteriorating. 

Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty reasons, “To get the most bang for the buck for taxpayers, Caltrans targets dollars where they are most effective--pavement preservation. Every $1 spent on preventive pavement maintenance saves Californians $11 that would have been spent on expensive pavement repairs.”
(Source: Central Valley Business Times / Sacramento, CA June 26th, 2014

)

Time and time again, test after test, pavements in Good Condition when treated with GSB, result in a  binder with unmatched strength–durability and bonding properties with high density–capable of preserving vital oils and flexibility in the pavement for decades of trouble free pavements and prolonged traffic load carrying capabilities! Contact us today and let us show you how we are preserving today’s infrastructure for future generations.

Our NEW Gee Overview Video!

Asphalt Preservation with Gee Asphalt Systems, Inc






Introducing a quick video all about Gee's proud history, mission, and the cost-saving benefits of using GSB to extend the life of your pavements.

Check our YouTube Channel to see examples of our processes and workmanship.

Are You Wasting Money on Crack Sealant?

“Nearly every surface defect started as a crack that got out of control. Each phase the remedy gets more expensive than the last. We’re here to break that cycle and to take care of your good pavements before it’s too late!” – Gee Asphalt Systems, Inc.

Did your crack sealant make it through the winter?

Last fall, many pavement owners spent good money fixing pavement cracks, but as the snow melted many failed fixes were revealed. 


But why did your crack sealant fail so quickly in the first place?

In most cases, the technique used to fill the cracks was substandard.


(Common) Blow & Go – (Not recommended):
Quick and cheap but least effective. Debris / dirt is blown and cracks filled leaving most of the sealant on top 
– vulnerable to being pulled out and scraped off – leaving your pavement further exposed to the elements, traffic and plows, and pedestrians during everyday use. And, once moisture follows down through the cracks and enters a pavement’s base and support structure, the rate of deterioration and damage and cost to repair will accelerate significantly unless you act quickly.



In addition, the sealant that does make it down into the crack has gritty, rough, unprepared surfaces which do not promote optimum bonding surfaces. Either way, sealant will need fixed a lot sooner than you think!

VS

Rout & Flush Pour – (We recommend):
Quality sealant (Hot applied ASTM 3405 rubberized sealant; proven superior bonding properties, high resiliency – up to 300%, and great cold weather performance) is carefully placed into the routed, dried and prepared crack, filling up from the bottom, until flush with the surface. Voids and bubbles that can shorten the life of the crack seal are eliminated while also preventing most surface damage. This technique also yields and longest “like new” look and attractive appearance.

OR

Rout & Overband – (We recommend for failed repairs):

Effective for crack sealing previously sealed cracks that cannot be routed. Sealant is carefully placed into the dried and prepared crack, filling up from the bottom, and squeegeeing the sealant flush with the surface. This minimizes most damage from traffic, plows, and pedestrians but is less attractive than the Rout & Flush Pour technique.

For best, longer lasting results choose a trusted / knowledgeable expert installer!
It may look like a budget-saver, but as the old adage goes, “You get what you pay for.” You can risk hiring cheaper contractors but if they are not specifically trained in crack sealing, you will have to repeat the process again sooner, wasting your valuable time and money. Choosing a trusted/knowledgeable installer who will use quality products and the right equipment is key to to the long-term performance of any crack seal. We utilize state-of-the-art double jacketed melters designed to safely melt sealant, gently agitate, and then pump it through insulated hoses and specially designed applicators into cracks. We also equip our machines with self contained compressors to blow out oil free compressed air to better prepare cracks for sealant. When properly installed, hot applied crack sealants will last for years to come, protecting your pavement investment. Crack sealing is just one of several integral components in an overall preservation strategy.

The Pothole Epidemic

Freeze-thaw-moisture, freeze-thaw-moisture, freeze-thaw-moisture.
 

All across the nation, communities are dealing with an epidemic of potholes, possibly anticipated in aging streets, but also showing up in poorer quality repairs that just didn’t hold up under extreme winter conditions.

“Still, that (potholes) wouldn't be as big a problem had the nation invested more up front,” says Larry Galehouse, Engineer and Director of the National Center for Pavement Preservation.

"What people have to understand is you can't have a pothole without first having a crack in the pavement surface. Agencies have been cash-strapped for a number of years, and now it's all coming home to roost."

"If you've got a pavement in poor condition that's got a lot of alligator cracking ... where water is getting into the pavement and freezing and thawing, it's going to break up the structure," says Kevin J. Haas, Traffic Investigations Engineer, Oregon Department of Transportation, Salem. 



And to add weight to their statements, it’s no coincidence the American Society of Civil Engineers gave America's infrastructure (roads) a D last year.

And, now communities following Worst First Maintenance Strategies are just trying to keep up with the repairs and pay for it any way they can.

In New York City, 136,476 potholes have been patched since Jan. 1. — compared to the just under 57,000 by Jan 1 in 2013.

Closer to home, Cedar Rapids, Ia estimates the need to fix 100,000 potholes. So far the city has used over 120 tons of fill material. Paid for by local option sales tax, the city has purchased three new pothole mix spreaders for around $65,000 each and upgraded to a longer lasting premium mix—20% more expensive.


Still other communities are calling on volunteers to fill holes quickly with cold mix until permanent road patches can be made in April.

Better Quality vs Throw-and-Roll Methods:

“If a few simple and cost-effective measures are applied with each repair then there may be less need for as many repeat repairs and savings could be in the millions annually.”
— Mujib Rahman, co-author, Nottingham Trent University study, England.


The study found that applying a coat of bitumen emulsion between two layers of asphalt significantly improved its resistance to further cracks and confirmed a hot mix repair — in which the asphalt was heated to 284 degrees or higher — was the best option for fixing holes 1 inch and deeper.

Potholes Cause Property Damage:

TRIP, a nonprofit organization that researches surface transportation issues, estimated an average urban driver pays out $377 a year in repairs — or a total of $80 billion nationwide, with many flat tires caused by potholes. (based on 2013 data)

Keeping the Good Pavements Good:

Trying to put this all into perspective Larry Galehouse gives this statement, “Americans pay about $21 a month on average in state and federal road taxes — a fraction of what they pay for cable television or a cell phone. And yet what is one of our most (personal) expensive investments out there? It's our automobile. And we're wrecking our automobiles because we're hitting potholes ... The key is not fixing them. The key is preventing them."

Wouldn’t it make more sense to spend a dollar to preserve newer pavements, keeping them like new longer, rather than spending $10.80 to patch, repair and replace?

New Branch Office Opens Near Chicago

Thanks to all our clients who are enjoying the benefits and overall cost-savings by preserving their asphalt pavements with us!

Now, just in time for the 2014 working season, we proudly announce the opening of our Chicagoland branch office in Somonauk, IL.

At our new branch office, you can expect the same great Gee quality, pride, and service you have come to expect from us...just now a little closer to you!

Top New Years Resolutions for Pavement Maintenance

“GSB-88® Sealer Binder cost about 8x less than the cost of applying new asphalt.”
--Matt Hawks, General Manager, White Cloud Casino

“Thank-you for introducing us to a cost-effective and efficient product (GSB-88®)! All airfield users agree it is a great improvement rejuvenating a deteriorated taxiway into an almost new system.”

--Shaun Germolus, Director of Operations, Duluth International Airport

"Analysis shows GSB-88® yields a Savings-To-Investment Ratio (SIR) Of 5.0 and a Return On Investment (ROI) of 400%."

--GSB-88 NAVFAC Performance Report

“$1 spent today on pavement preservation reduces future replacement costs up to $10.80”


– Jim Sorensen, Director Pavement Preservation, FHWA

“Our parking lot was showing signs of deterioration. We needed to improve the appearance and safety. Replacement with new asphalt was going to be costly. We could replace it OR, preserve it by sealing the cracks and applying GSB®. We agreed to have Gee Asphalt Systems provide the pavement preservation services...and are very pleased.

--Matt Hawks, General Manager, White Cloud Casino



“GSB-88® is engineered to significantly retard surface oxidation by rebinding the surface aggregate and protect the pavement binder from the natural surface oxidation process. Surface oxidation is far and away the greatest deteriorating factor on the majority of DOD airfields.”

--DOD Comprehensive Evaluation of GSB-88® Sealer Binder


“Thank you for your assistance in providing a solution to our problem...The untreated test section showed extreme raveling with excessive loose aggregate and a very porous surface. The subsequent test application of GSB® has corrected this problem and has no doubt prolonged the life of this surface. It is evident the surface would have to have been replaced if not for the GSB® application.”
--Tom McCarthy, Operations Manager, Northpark Mall



“We are very satisfied with GSB® and over the years of wear and tear it has held up tremendously well. We have used other products over the years but they do not compare to the quality of the GSB® application.”

--Eugene Oakey, Director of Facilities, May Centers, Inc.



“Gee Asphalt showed me pavements where GSB® had been used from as little as 1 year ago, up to pavements maintained as long as 32 years, and they all looked amazing!”

--Brent Stansbury, Facility Engineer, Gateway, Inc.



“We wanted to try something besides the ss1h asphalt emulsions to keep aggregates bound in place on the shoulders, prevent raveling, and keep newly placed asphalt in a "like new" condition. We tried GSB-88®. Years later aggregates were still bound tightly in place...GSB-88® was applied to asphalt overlay projects having ADT (average daily traffic) ranging from 300-2600 vehicles. We will continue using GSB-88® for our asphalt preservation applications.”

--Allen Horak, District Maintenance Superintendent, Nebraska Department of Roads

 “I can’t say enough about Gee Asphalt, their professionalism, polite and courteous staff and customer satisfaction. They talk the talk and walk the walk! You continue to be a true pleasure to work with. Gee Asphalt has become an awesome partner in Asphalt Preservation!" 

--Scott Mallicoat, District Maintenance Supervisor, Farmington Schools

“Gee got the job done right!...Working with a company that gets the job done right the first time with little supervision is great! I look forward to working with Gee Asphalt in the future.”

--Les Lawson, Iowa State University, Facilities Planning & Management Campus Services

“From the salesperson to receptionist, owner to crew, these top-notch professionals exceeded our expectations with their fast and efficient, high quality work. Knowledgeable and courteous describes their staff and crew. I would highly recommend them.”

--Ms. Angie Ellison, Engineering Technician, City of Eagan Minnesota

“Everyone at Gee Asphalt Systems, from the owner to office staff to field crews, are professional and act with integrity.  They understand our shopping center clients and work diligently to minimize customer inconvenience."

--Thomas R. Zimmer, PE, Principal, Zimmer Consultants, Ltd

Make Gee part of your New Year's Resolution and improve the health of your pavements today!
 

Is your ice prevention strategy GOOD for your assets?

Every year building and pavement owners discover thousands of dollars in property damage after the snow and ice thaw.

Don’t let this be you. Use the right product for the right job! 

Unlike in other de-icers, Caliber does not contain abrasive elements so replacement, cleanup or repair becomes virtually non-existent.

Liquid de-icers enhanced with Caliber are environmentally friendly to pedestrians and vegetation (including delicate landscaping) and are less corrosive to concrete and concrete parking structures, and will not damage your expensive floors and carpeting. Many of our customers have indicated their reduced floor care costs single-handedly paid for the switch over to liquid de-icers!

And, Caliber is more powerful than other de-icers, so less is needed to yield the same or even better melting performance. This means for a lower overall cost, Caliber gives you more melting and staying power than nearly anything else on the market today.


See more info at:
geeasphalt.com/#!ice-prevention-products-and-services/c3

For a complete product list see: 
geeasphalt.com/#!ice-prevention-helpful-links/c1c2x