Each fiscal year, the US federal government creates a budget to fund various services and programs for the country. To calculate the budget, the government considers its allotted money and expenditures. The budget comes from tax revenue and sale of treasury securities. Expenditures, meanwhile, consist of mandatory spending, discretionary spending, and debt interest.
The government decides how to collect and spend its money for the fiscal year, choosing programs and services that will be consumed or invested in. The federal budget is active from October 1 to September 30 each year.
Often, agencies race against the clock to spend the rest of their budget before the fiscal year ends (September 30). The uncertainty in the annual appropriations process prompts agencies to spend more on contracts than any other month of the year.
Understanding the Sweep
Around June of each year, the budget department does a sweep of its accounts. Uncommitted funds are taken back and reallocated. Agency executives anticipate the sweep and compile lists of priority projects that they want to receive funding by midnight of September 30. To put it simply, they must use it or else they will lose it!
Why Spend Your Budget on Asphalt
Public works, highways, and infrastructure are important to our country’s economy. When these are properly taken care of, the movement of people and goods become faster and more efficient. The question is, why choose asphalt for your projects?
As we all know, asphalt is cheaper to install than concrete. On average, the cost/sq. ft. for asphalt runs between $2.50 to $4.00. Fluctuations in the price of crude oil can cause fluctuations in asphalt prices but the price usually remains around this range. On the other hand, concrete runs between $4.00 to $6.00/sq. ft. for basic installation. Choosing asphalt means more savings and faster completion of projects.
Asphalt Maintenance
Tearing up old, damaged asphalt and installing new asphalt is costly and time-consuming. Asphalt maintenance is a better, more cost-effective option. When it comes to asphalt maintenance, there are some things to consider.
After six months to a year after installation, asphalt surfaces should be sealed. It should then be sealed every 3 to 5 years afterwards. Sealing can extend the life of asphalt; when properly maintained, it can last upwards of 30 years.
Cracks in asphalt can also be repaired. Crack filling is a method wherein asphalt emulsion is applied to cracks to reduce water infiltration and reinforce the pavement. It is relatively easy to do with the right equipment.
Sealcoating
Sealcoating is the process of applying a protective coating to asphalt based pavements to protect them from water, oil, and UV damage. The application of asphalt sealer not only protects the pavement from the elements but also makes it more visually appealing.
Before application, the surface must be cleaned and dried by sweeping or by using blowers. If not, it could lead to poor adhesion. Sealers are applied with either sealcoating spray equipment or self-propelled squeegee machines. Once the surface is properly prepared, properly mixed sealer can now be applied. The process is usually a one-coat application that requires 24-48 hours of curing before vehicles can use the road or driveway.
Crack Filling
Crack filling is also an important aspect of asphalt maintenance. Doing so can help prevent water from seeping into the asphalt sub-base. Cracks should be sealed as soon as possible as water penetration under the asphalt surface can undermine the structure of the road or driveway.
When filling cracks, the cracks are cleaned of dirt, debris, and vegetation. Repair in the early stages of deterioration can prevent or delay costly resurfacing. More importantly, it can extend the life of the pavement.
Asphalt Kingdom: Your One Stop Shop for Asphalt Maintenance Equipment and Supplies
If you’re a contractor or a property manager looking to buy asphalt maintenance equipment and supplies, you’ve come to the right place. Asphalt Kingdom offers a wide variety of sealcoat sprayers, crack filling equipment, line stripers, patching machines, gas blowers, parts and accessories. Just click the link to the equipment you are looking for. You can also seek advice from our asphalt experts by clicking here.
Asphalt Kingdom is the leader when it comes to asphalt maintenance equipment. With more than 20 years of experience in the asphalt maintenance industry, we can provide you with the equipment that will meet your performance and budget needs. We have spent countless hours engineering and testing our machines, so you can rest assured that they can provide unbeatable performance and reliability.
We also offer asphalt supplies. If you’re a contractor, we have good news for you. You can buy supplies in bulk! For sealer, you can enjoy wholesale bulk pricing and get the best rate/gallon with in-plant pickup. If you’ll be ordering 2,000 gallons and up, we can arrange for bulk delivery to your job site. Interested? Get quote.
For bulk crack filler, contractors can order by the pallet or by the truckload. Get the best rate/box delivered right to your door or arrange for bulk delivery to your job site. Get quote.
Need a tank? Install a sealcoat tanker at your headquarters to eliminate the need for costly trips and save money in the process. Click here to obtain a personalized quote.
Asphalt Kingdom is a one stop shop where you can get the equipment and supplies you need to maintain asphalt. If you have any questions or need expert advice, call us at 1-866-399-5562 or send us a message through our contact page.
