Topic: Blog

Paving The Way Forward With Recycled Plastic

From India to Indiana, from Cumbria, England to Corpus Christi, Texas, everyone agrees the amount of free-floating plastic in the environment is an ongoing problem. With an estimated 5 trillion pieces of plastic adrift on the surface of the ocean alone and uncountable more tons of the material in landfills and vacant lots all over the world, plastic both makes our current standard of living possible and poses one of its most dire threats.

At Calvac Paving, we make a point of keeping current on the latest breakthroughs and experiments in building and paving technologies, and new processes for repurposing plastic as a paving material is very much in our wheelhouse. Several different processes are in the testing stage, including using plastic to coat paving aggregates and reduce the amount of bitumen necessary for traditional asphalt; adding pellets of recycled plastic as part or all of the aggregate portion of the asphalt; and a Lego-like process of building roads from paving blocks of recycled plastic.

Apart from the obvious advantages of reducing the environmental impact of discarded free-range plastic, the primary benefit of utilizing plastic-impregnated asphalt is twofold. First, using plastic seems to increase the tensile strength of asphalt significantly, up to 60% in certain mixes.

Second, by reducing the amount of bitumen, or tar, used as the binding agent in most industrial asphalt mixes, it may also cut the cost of paving by up to 15%. The higher tensile strength potentially increases the size and mass of traffic which can use these roadways, meaning it may be possible to move more freight and larger vehicles in areas where existing paving and statutes would simply not permit them. In turn, this could substantially reduce transportation costs and thus the costs of everything from steel to gasoline to milk.

In addition, plastic-impregnated asphalt may lend itself more readily to hybridization with innovations such as the self-charging roads which we’ve discussed recently. As the costs of developing and deploying these technologies shrink, the likelihood of incorporating multiple technologies into a single roadway increase at a similar rate.

Almost as interesting as what plastic asphalt can do is the story of the various ways in which its applications came to be. In India, a chemistry professor, annoyed with the potholes of his city, remembered seeing people in Mumbai patching similar potholes by filling them with empty plastic bottles



and then heating them to a liquid state. In Scotland, an engineer built on the India protocol by using pellets of recycled plastic, aggregate and a very small amount of bituminous binder to create a roadway surface which causes less wear on tires. Meanwhile, a company in the Netherlands backing the block paving strategy was inspired by the idea that using interlocking blocks would allow for easier infrastructure placement and damaged section replacement.

By reducing the amount of “trash” plastic in the open environment and repurposing it in new ways, these innovators are also challenging accepted notions of what is possible in large-scale construction. These changes in turn may serve to make not only the final product of construction initiatives, but the processes and techniques by which they are created, more efficient, effective and environmentally friendly.

Calvac Paving takes our role in environmental sustainability and finding better ways to accomplish the tasks we undertake more effectively and safely very seriously. It is the entire reason we keep such a close eye on how construction technology is changing and evolving. When and where possible, we make it a point to adopt and implement these changes ourselves, because while we know the “tried and true” methods have survived and been used as long as they have for very good reasons, we also understand there’s almost always a better way to do just about anything if you’re willing to look hard enough for it.

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We at Calvac Paving believe we can best serve the communities we live and work in by emphasizing the fastest, safest and most c
ost-effective means available to do our jobs, while striving to reduce the impact our industry can have on the global as well as local environment. It’s all part of Calvac Paving’s commitment to not just doing the job, but doing it right. We do it for our clients/stakeholders, for our community and for a better, cleaner, healthier world. To learn more about Calvac’s commitment to the environment, or to put the four decades of experience we bring to every project to work for your job, please contact us at (408) 225-7700  or https://www.calvacpaving.com/contact-us/


Bay Area Asphalt Contractor Completes Latest Project

IMG_7684At Calvac Paving, we love a challenge. When St. Francis Retreat in San Juan Bautista needed an overhaul of their existing roadway, we were pleased to lend our experience and expertise to the task. The retreat is in a secluded rural setting just outside the town proper, which created some specific concerns we needed to be cognizant of during the project.

Working in a rural area, we had to plan our work in such a way as to minimize the impact on the environment and existing flora and fauna, as well as ensure we avoided disruption of the operations and tranquility of the Retreat itself as much as possible. In addition, we had to consider the safety of our personnel and the general public. Finally, the historic nature of the Retreat had to be taken into account and treated with respect.

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The roadway is approximately 1 3/4 miles long and required 2,300 tons of hot-mix asphalt. The rehabilitation consisted of pulverizing, regrading and compacting the existing asphalt as additional base material.  Then we laid replacement hot-mix in one 3” lift, compacted.  

We are pleased to report the renovation operation went very smoothly. The local residents, staff and visitors were very patient with the unavoidable disruption a project of this sort involves. We were able to complete the project ahead of schedule and within budget, without injury or harm to the area or anyone involved in or affected by it. Best of all, the Retreat now has a great-looking, high-performance roadway which can be expected to last for years to come.  

IMG_7708Calvac Paving has been serving the Bay Area since 1972. Let us put our craftsmanship and knowledge to work for you on your next project. For quality, safety and efficiency without parallel, we’re proud to be the construction solution for all your paving project needs!

 

 

Calvac Paving


Maintenance Mondays – Drive Lanes Removed & Replaced

Maintenance Mondays: This project was for a Medical Building. This required the crew from Calvac Paving to work on a Sunday to minimize disruption. The bulk of the drive lanes were damaged to the extent that we had to remove and replace approximately 45% of the drive lanes. The crew completed approximately 260 tons of removal and replaced with 260 tons of hotmix asphalt. All of the removed asphalt was hauled to a recycle plant. Our crews were completed and out of our yard and on their way home by 6:30pm.
Calvac Paving – Top Quality. On Schedule. On Budget.

 


Calvac Paving Celebrates Over 45 Years in Business

Calvac Paving, a Bay Area paving and concrete company, is pleased to announce that they are celebrating over four decades in business. Since the day they first opened for business in 1974, Calvac Paving has strived to offer a wide variety of services, including concrete hardscapes, asphalt repair, interlocking pavers, crack filling, seal coating, and many others.

Over the past 45-plus years, Calvac Paving has grown to become one of the largest Bay Area paving and asphalt contractors. From business owners that need new concrete sidewalks and ADA ramps to schools that have old and cracked asphalt parking lots that are in desperate need of repair, the friendly and experienced team at Calvac Paving is ready and able to help.

In addition to offering top-notch service, Calvac Paving’s website is exceptionally user-friendly, providing visitors with in-depth explanations of the various services they offer. The educational articles not only describe what each service entails, but when it is typically needed. This can help business owners, commercial property managers, homeowners association managers and many other clients to educate themselves and their clients about what work is needed at their properties.

For example, the article about asphalt repair explains that interconnecting cracks called “alligatoring” are typically found in high traffic areas or near dumpster enclosures.

“In the areas of the pavement surface where failure is showing (areas of ‘alligatoring’) we may propose removal of the failed asphalt and replacement with a thicker cross-section of newly placed and compacted asphalt,” the article noted, adding that Calvac Paving will mill, saw cut or jackhammer the perimeter of the failed areas.

“It is recommended that the new ‘patch’ be placed at a minimum thickness of 1-1/2 times the original asphalt depth to bridge any inherent weakness in the base material in that area.”

Anybody who would like to learn more about Calvac Paving is welcome to visit the user-friendly website or Facebook Page at any time; there, they can read more about the high quality services they offer.

About Calvac Paving:

Calvac Paving Inc. is a full service asphalt and concrete maintenance company that has been serving the greater Bay Area since 1974. For more information, please visit http://www.calvacpaving.com


Calvac Paving To Exhibit At The Northern California Law Seminar & Expo – 2020

CACM IS A Trade Show Calvac Paving Attending

Calvac Paving, a Bay Area Asphalt and Concrete Maintenance company is proud to announce that they will be exhibitors and a sponsor at the California Association of Community Manager’s (CACM) Northern California Law Seminar and Expo which will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center on February 6th and 7th.

To learn more about CACM’s Northern CA Law Seminar & Expo, please visit :https://cacm.org/events/northern-california-law-seminar-2/

The Calvac Paving team will be exhibiting at Booth #1014 on both Thursday and Friday and will also be a Bar Sponsor for the Vision Awards Banquet taking place on Thursday evening. The Vision Awards will include both a Nominee VIP reception and a Champagne reception.

Representatives from Calvac Paving are really looking forward to participating in the event as well as networking during the Vision Awards banquet. A Calvac company spokesperson added, “We have been in the Asphalt and Concrete maintenance business for over four decades, and we thoroughly enjoy having the opportunity to spend time with many of our current clients as well as meet new clients. We hope that everyone will take the time to visit our booth at the Expo as this is also a great opportunity to share knowledge and answer questions in a casual setting.”

About Calvac Paving:
Calvac Paving is a full-service asphalt and concrete maintenance company that has been serving the greater Bay Area since 1974. For more information, please visit https://www.calvacpaving.com/

Calvac Paving
2645 Pacer Lane
San Jose, Ca 95111
408-225-7700

 

Event Information

Northern California Law Seminar & Expo

February 6-7, 2020

Santa Clara Convention Center Hyatt Regency

5101 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054

This two-day seminar offers up-to-the-minute legislative information from California legal experts.


Calvac Paving Continues To Maintain A High Safety Work Record

Calvac Paving

In 2015, we reported Calvac Paving has maintained a high degree of safety, as measured by reduction adjustment to our worker’s compensation insurance premiums. These numbers are released annually, which means we just received the latest figures on our performance. The 2018 California Experience Modification ratings for workers’ compensation insurance have now been released, and once again Calvac Paving is proud to be an industry leader in workplace safety! 

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Calvac Paving’s rating of 76 is well below the industry standard and means that we pay nearly 25% less than what many of our competitors pay for identical workers’ compensation coverage. This means we have had more than 25% fewer incidents and lost working hours than industry actuaries would anticipate for our line of work. Obviously, this is better for our employees and the company as a whole, because it means our training programs and safety protocols are working, and of course, the financial benefits are welcome as well. However, this means a lot more than just a bump in the bottom line to us at Calvac Paving. 

 

An Ex-Mod score of 100 is considered “average,” while an Ex-Mod of 125 would be “high-risk.” Employers with an Ex-Mod of 100 pay the full premium for their worker’s compensation insurance, while a high-risk employer would pay the full premium plus 25%. This metric means our employees are more likely to practice sound safety on the jobsite, while in transit and at the yard, increasing the odds they will all get home to their loved ones in the same condition they left for work. This, in turn, allows clients to accept our job bids with confidence that they will receive consistently excellent work, produced with safety uppermost in mind at all times.

 

 

Calvac’s safety program includes:

  • Up-to-date training on the latest OSHA and DOSH policies, procedures and protocols
  • First aid training including CPR
  • Hazard identification and mitigation
  • Workplace and job site safety and loss prevention
  • IIPP and Early Return to Work programs which allow injured employees to return to work on modified duty while remaining in compliance with healthcare provider recommendations and directives

Our insurance brokers have stated in the past that Calvac’s safety initiatives have been so successful, we are setting the standard for how safety training and associated loss prevention ought to be carried out. As we take a great deal of pride in being the benchmark for excellence in every facet of our operations, this is always welcome feedback.

The principals and management of Calvac Paving are very proud to once more be able to prove we are among the best in the construction industry at what we do. Our emphasis on proactive safety training and implementation means our employees have more productive days with a lower risk of injury, allowing them to perform at their best at work and in their personal lives. We are also pleased that our clients get to reap the benefits of our training in terms of increased production and reasonable budgets, with less potential for damaging incidents.

Construction is not an easy field in which to balance safety with productivity. However, we at Calvac are proud to show it’s not just possible; for us, it’s just the way we do our jobs, every time, every day. We look forward to continuing to prove our commitment to safety and a task done well for many years to come, working to keep our employees, clients and the general public safe as we go.

 

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Los Altos New Private Road Project

los altos new road repair

Calvac Paving was proud to be able to serve the city of Los Altos, California by replacing a  common private road within the community. The roadway needed repair for durability, safety and aesthetic reasons, giving Calvac Paving the opportunity to once again demonstrate the quality and attention to detail of our work.

This project required some delicate handling because, as a private road in a residential area, Calvac Paving had to be mindful of residents’ access needs as well as the possibility of fires or other emergencies. It also necessitated using a special process that allowed for minimum road closure time and maximum performance. We created a short video to show the highlights of the paving process, from top to bottom.

The process Calvac Paving decided to use was a “petromat” overlay on top of the existing roadway. To do this, the failed areas were prepatched using full depth hot mix asphalt. Once this was done, the existing utility boxes in the roadway were raised up, so as to secure them against further failures in the subgrade or roadway itself. An asphalt binder and paving fabric were installed next, allowing the existing road surface to bond properly to the hotmix upon placement. A 2” lift of hotmix was placed using a self-propelled paver, and then the lift was compacted to produce a smooth, level road surface.

The finished product is much nicer-looking, offers more flexibility and durability, and didn’t require as much disruption of local traffic patterns as more traditional repair and rehabilitation projects. Calvac Paving specializes in these kinds of jobs, where tight traffic constraints and the need for access make conventional processes difficult or impossible. In this particular case, we left the property owners with a smoother, more aesthetically pleasing, better-driving roadway.

Calvac Paving has been serving the Bay Area since 1974, providing the highest-quality paving, concrete and earthwork solutions for residential, commercial, transportation and public applications. From annual budgeted concrete repairs, asphalt paving and seal coat to a complete new roadway build and striping services, Calvac Paving has the equipment, knowledge and experience to deliver excellent quality at competitive prices. We approach every job with a can-do attitude and consider carefully how to proceed to obtain the best balance of cost effectiveness, performance and safety.

 

Because our President, Jim Adam, carries ADA Expertcertification, Calvac Paving is also an ADA-certified company. This means we are continuously keeping abreast of new developments and adaptations to ADA regulatory requirements and standards. Carrying this prestigious and important certification allows us to ensure every project we undertake is in full compliance with ADA Standards as well as the California Building Code, which in some cases are even more stringent.

In addition to our certifications and awards, Calvac Paving offers a three-year warranty to qualifying customers, three times the industry standard. We stand behind every job we do with strict quality and performance standards, because we want our clients to have peace of mind that the work they get from Calvac Paving will be the best anyone, anywhere can deliver. We hold our work to the highest possible standards for materials, workmanship and durability, Calvac Paving can take pride in giving our clients/Stakeholders a finished product they can trust.

Calvac Paving is proud to have served the Bay Area as long as we have, and we will continue to do so in 2016 and beyond. Whether we’re fixing a private roadway in Los Altos or working on a major airport runway renovation, striping a parking lot or building an access ramp to the exacting tolerances of ADAS and CBC requirements, we are passionate about our work and proud of the final result. To learn more about how Calvac Paving can help you with your next construction project, we invite you to call our offices at the following numbers:

(408) 225 – 7700

(650) 694 – 7944

(831) 375 – 7944

 

You can also contact us by clicking here if you’d prefer to email. For top quality, on-schedule and on-budget, don’t gamble with the results. Call Calvac Paving and get the best right from the start.


Asphalt Crack Repair

Asphalt Repair

One of the processes that paving contractors can perform in these conditions of rain and clear skies is crackfilling. It takes just a day of good weather to allow us to come in and prepare the cracks with the installation of the crackfiller the following day if necessary. Here is some information concerning this service.

CONDITION:

Linear cracking in your asphalt surface. Aged and oxidized asphalt that has intermittent cracking. These cracks are typically wide spread throughout the property and not concentrated in one area nor interlocking.
If there are alligatored areas (interconnecting cracks) then these areas should be repaired rather than crackfilled. These problems are exacerbated by the intrusion of water which will penetrate to the subgrade and accelerate cracking and base failure caused by shrink/swell of the subgrade.

Latest Paving Job Calvac Paving

CAUSE:

Causes of this linear cracking could be a less than satisfactory base course on top of a moisture sensitive subgrade causing swell and shrinkage in that subgrade. This movement reflects through the base course and the up through asphalt surface. The infiltration of moisture through this cracked and oxidized (dried out) asphalt accelerates the damage.
Additional causes would be ground slippage, expansion and contraction due to heat and cold cycles, shrink/swell of the subgrade, the advanced age and oxidization of the asphalt surface.

CORRECTION:

Cracks that are 1/4” -3/8” can be filled with a cold pour asphalt emulsion crackfiller. Cracks that are 3/8” – 3/4” will require the use of a hot rubberized crackfiller. Cracks larger than 3/4” should be corrected with hotmix asphalt, by filling the cracks with hotmix asphalt and covering with hot pour crackfiller and better yet is to follow up with a Petromat overlay of the area.
With either application the cracks will have the existing vegetation removed and then the crack will be blown out with high pressure air and high heat. If necessary we can apply a spray sterilant to the existing vegetation prior to removal.
If we apply cold pour crackfiller, then that material is poured into the crack to bridge the opening and create a flexible filler that is then struck with a specialized squeegee to force the material deeper into the crack and to localize the coverage of the material into a thin strip at each side of the crack.
If the cracks require hot rubberized crackfiller, then that material is heated to 350°+ and the material is forced into the crack and struck flush with the surface.

If your property is in need of a asphalt/concrete repair, Calvac Paving is standing by to assist!

Calvac Paving
2645 Pacer Ln
San Jose, CA 95111
408-225-7700


Calvac Paving to Attend And Exhibit At The 2019 CAA Connect – Rental Housing Conference & Expo

Calvac Paving, a Bay Area asphalt and concrete maintenance company, is attending the CAA Connect – Rental Housing Conference & Expo, on Tuesday, April 16th. Calvac once again is a Master Sponsor of the CAA, as well as a trade exhibitor at this year’s CAA Connect.

Calvac Paving

As a company spokesperson noted, the event—which is hosted by the California Apartment Association—will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The full-day conference typically draws a crowd of 1,500-plus professionals from a variety of industries.

The team from Calvac Paving will be in Booth 318 during the event. As the spokesperson noted, attendees are welcome to come by the booth and enter to win a raffle. “People who take pictures of Calvac Paving’s booth and use the hashtag #CAAConnectExpo will automatically be entered to win a prize from the asphalt and concrete company,” the spokesperson said, adding that representatives from the company are looking forward to meeting other attendees and exhibitors that are also in the Property Management and Maintenance industry. One reason the event is so popular with attendees, the spokesperson said, is that it’s a one-stop shop for information relating to the rental housing industry.

For example, this event features 160-plus exhibitor booths and educational seminars that feature nationally recognized speakers. Everyone who attends—from owners and corporate executives to property managers, leasing professionals, California Certified Residential Managers and more—will leave the event feeling like they have received the answers and information they need about their most urgent management challenges, as well as determining which vendors are the best for their businesses.

“Calvac Paving has served the Bay Area for over four decades, so we are confident that we can help answer a variety of questions that attendees may have about our industry while also enjoying meeting new clients,” the spokesperson said.

About Calvac Paving:
Calvac Paving is a full service asphalt and concrete maintenance company that has been serving the greater Bay Area since 1974. For more information, please visit http://www.calvacpaving.com/

Calvac Paving
2645 Pacer Ln
San Jose, CA 95111
(408) 837-9021


Calvac Paving to Exhibit at CACM’s Northern CA Law Seminar & Expo January 24-25

Calvac Paving, a Bay Area asphalt and concrete maintenance company, is attending at CACM’s (California Association of Community Managers) Northern CA Law Seminar & Expo.

This event will be held January 24th and 25th at the  Santa Clara Convention Center. According to a Calvac Paving spokesperson, the event is “California’s premier event for the community management industry!”

The Calvac Paving team will be exhibiting at Booth #1021 in the Paradise Found Exhibit Hall. Also, they are Welcome Reception Drink Ticket Sponsors, to be held on Thursday January 24th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The reception will include appetizers, a no-host bar and informal networking.

Beyond the exhibit, the event will enable many in California’s management industry to learn and grow professionally. CACM notes, “Let’s face it, the demands and expectations community managers face have never been greater. Do you have the knowledge, expertise and tools you need to meet and exceed those expectations and move your career forward? At this year’s Law Seminar & Expo, we’re bringing California’s best and brightest to help you get there.”

“We hope that all attendees can stop by our booth at the exhibit,” said a Calvac Paving spokesperson. “With over 40 years of experience in the industry, we are looking forward to sharing our expertise and meeting new clients!”

About Calvac Paving:
Calvac Paving is a full-service asphalt and concrete maintenance company that has been serving the greater Bay Area since 1974.

Calvac Paving
2645 Pacer Lane
San Jose, Ca 95111
408-225-7700