Pavestone Institute of Hardscape Technology (PIHT) recently launched 2010′s FREE educational training seminars for paver contractors and distributors, which is designed to help them grow and reinvigorate their hardscape businesses.

We had a total of (15) events scheduled in various cities this year.  We’ve done (3) so far, and all have been very well attended with good feedback coming in from attendees.

Below are some quotes we received at a recent seminar held at the Wyndham Hotel in New Orleans.

Thanks Pavestone:

SteppingStone Pavers would like to thank you for a enjoyable and informative seminar.  Myself, and 2 of our sales representatives attended the full day, along with at least six of our clients.  No one had anything negative to say, even though they had different views as to what was the most important.  Philip, one of my sales reps, really appreciated the advancement of the permeable paver industry and noted the need to more aggressively pursue that market; Preston, my other sales rep, appreciated the need to show personal interest and follow up on prior clients, as brought out in the Human SIGMA segment.  A couple of our installation contractor clients mentioned the need to evaluate the true value of a client, and how much time is spent to pursue a project and whether or not the project is worth pursuing.

I enjoyed the whole experience. Not only was all the information valuable, and the speakers excellent, but the chance to network with all my associates in the paver industry was very beneficial. The content was excellent, and really helped me to regain focus on the industry, not only now, but where it is headed and how to better position myself to take advantage of those trends.  In particular ,the CRM program, which will help me to determine where to put my greatest efforts and resources  in an effort to create a more user  friendly and profitable company.  One point which was particularly useful was how to stop the “leaky bucket” mindset when it comes to customer retention. As of this morning we have already began an aggressive campaign not only to gain new clients but to reconnect with clients that have fallen off our radar screen. I look forward to working with, Eddie Newsom, our Pavestone sales rep in developing and implementing a CRM program for SteppingStone Pavers.

On a side note it was very refreshing for a distributor like myself to hear that Pavestone has a game plan which includes moving to a Distributer based system in our area.

Sincerely

Thank YOU

Charlie Wagner Jr.
SteppingStone Pavers

Another happy PIHT attendee shared his thoughts on the training program.

PIHT is a HIT !!

This is exactly what I needed from PAVESTONE, a true map to success and increased profits in my Hardscape installation business, Thanks, Bobby and Ed!

Pavestone Institute class was a looking glass into the future of MY business.  Now I have more focus on where I need to go!

If  PAVESTONE were a Poker Game; I’m all in !!  Today I saw the future of my relationship with both my customers and my supplier, and I liked it.

Rod Trahan
La Pavers NOLA

If you have not been notified by your Pavestone representative about a PIHT event in your area, please contact them now. We’re looking forward to meeting with you soon.

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Campus design was the focus of a recent article published in Landscape Architect Magazine last week. Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas was featured in the article to show what they are doing to create a more pedestrian friendly campus.

SMU has a beautiful campus where concrete pavers are used extensively for walkways that link facilities throughout the university.  I would like to thank Chris Miller, the Landscape Architect for SMU, Joey Guedea, Architectural Sales Specialist for Pavestone, and Jerome Meister, SMU’s Project Manager, for providing me the history and details necessary to complete the article. Special thanks also goes to Concrete Paver Systems, the paving contractor that completed this beautiful project, and Gustav Schmiege for awesome photos for the article.

Please take a few minutes to read the article titled Meet Me at Mustang Mall.

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As temperatures are heating up, a common question we receive is how to remove tire marks. First, one has to understand why the tire marks are happening. Here are the top reasons we see for getting tire marks on a sealed surface:

1. Sealer did not cure properly due to over-application
2. Sealer applied to a non-porous or previously sealed surface
3. Moisture present when sealer applied

The first step to removing tire marks is to prevent them! Surebond recommends reading the application instructions carefully before applying Surebond hardscape sealers and only apply during the correct temperatures and to clean, dry, unsealed or porous surfaces. Sealer should always absorb in to the surface and not be allowed to puddle. Remove excess sealer from the surface with a double foam squeegee. It is important to remove excess sealer especially in high temps because the water in the sealer can flash out, meaning it evaporates and leaves behind solvents on the surface. These solvents can be sticky and when you drive across a hot sticky surface with hot rubber tires you can imagine the outcome (see above photo). A properly sealed surface is MUCH easier to clean and most times prevents the tire marks from happening at all.

Past the application stage and dealing with the removal part? Typically, the tire marks can be easily removed with just plain water and a medium bristled broom with minimal scrubbing. In some instances you might need to use a degreaser such as SB-442 General Stain Remover to help lift the tire mark. The most important factor is that the surface needs to be tack-free before it should be cleaned. Two reasons why…the first is that if it is still tacky, the tire marks will just reappear after driving on it again. The second is the tire marks will not come up easily and you will have to scrub pretty aggressively.

As the inventor of joint stabilizing sealer, SUREBOND remains an industry leader in the field of architectural landscape products with a full line of adhesives, sealers and cleaners.

Related posts:

1. Cleaning Stained Pavers – Sealing Pavers – Maintenance
2. Pavers – Frequently Asked Questions – Part 3
3. Pavers – Frequently Asked Questions – Part 2

Important Cleaning Tips:

1. Always Test an Area First – Choose an inconspicuous spot to test before carrying out a full cleaning.
2. Act Quickly – Attacking a stain as soon as possible reduces the likelihood of it setting into the surface.
3. Work Up the Slope – Starting at the bottom of a sloped pavement allows cleaning fluids to drain down.

Download the Hardscape Cleaning & Maintenance Guide here.

Paint & Mortar

• Fresh paint – Blot immediately with a rag or towel; do not wipe as this may spread paint. Soak the area and scrub with hot water and a stiff brush.
• Dried paint – Scrape any excess paint off of the surface. Apply a commercial paint remover and follow all instructions on the cleaner label. Do not rub the loosened paint into the surface.
• Mortar – Let material harden and carefully remove spots with a trowel, putty knife or chisel.

Dirt, Mildew & Grime

• Remove any loose material from the surface. Clean with Surebond SB-442 General Stain Remover, stiff brush and wash with a garden hose.

Oil

• For fresh stains with unabsorbed oil on the surface, pour down kitty litter or saw dust to soak up the stain. Clean up after a few days.
• Older oil stains can be complicated to remove completely but boiling water can help lift the stain. Blot area with absorbent cloth and repeat as needed.

Food, Grease and Beverages

• Apply liquid dish detergent at full strength and allow it to penetrate for 20 to 30 minutes. Scrub and rinse with hot water.
• For stubborn stains, use a professional cleaner like Surebond SB-442 General Stain Remover. Follow all instructions on cleaner label.
• For gum, scrape off any excess and scrub with naptha or mineral spirits. Rinse area thoroughly with hot water.

Efflorescence, Rust and Mineral Staining

• Efflorescence is whitening that occurs naturally as water evaporates out of and through building materials, bringing salts to the surface. It does not affect the structural integrity of the building materials.
• Efflorescence will naturally wear away over time and is most common in new installations.
• To remove efflorescence, as well as other mineral deposits like rust and hard water stains, use a professional cleaner like Surebond SB-488 Efflorescence & Rust Remover. Follow all instructions on cleaner label.

Stain Prevention and Pavement Maintenance

Weeds, Ants and Displaced Sand

• Bonding joint sand prevents it from being displaced from in between interlocking paving stones. Sand displacement is not only unsightly but also reduces the structural integrity of the hardscape system.
• Use a professional joint sand stabilizing sealer like Surebond SB-1300 Joint Stabilizing Sealer to bond the sand between joints. This will inhibit both ants and weed growth while preventing sand washout.
• Reapplications should be carried out every three to five years.

What Surfaces Should Be Sealed?

• Any surface that is at risk for staining can be protected with a surface seal application. This includes interlocking concrete pavers that are used in driveways, patios, pool decks, walkways and many other applications.
• Most types of poured, stamped, decorative and stained concretes can be protected, as well.
• Retaining walls and other vertical applications should be sealed, especially to prevent water penetration.

Surface Protection and Stain Resistance

• Using a professional surface sealer will protect the surface of a hardscape installation and reduce the threat of future staining.
• Salt and acid corrosion – Surebond SB-1300 Joint Stabilizing Sealer will protects the surface form salt and acid penetration.
• Water penetration and freeze/thaw damage – a professional sealer like Surebond SB-4000 Water Repelling Sealer will reduce the amount of water entering the installation. When frozen, this water can force stones out of place, and disrupt the entire installation.
• Oil, food and beverage staining – a penetrating sealer like Surebond SB-5000 Stainblocking Sealer will prevent a wide variety of stains from setting into the stone, making the stains much easier to remove.

About Surebond, Inc.

For over 25 years, Surebond, Inc. has manufactured joint stabilizers, sealers, cleaners and adhesives designed to compliment and protect the most demanding hardscape installations. Our full line of products has been trusted on projects throughout the world, including Disneyland, the US Capitol building, the Panama Canal, sports stadiums, ports, streets and thousands of homes.

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2. Pavers – Frequently Asked Questions – Part 1
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May Project of the Month – Avon Town Transit Center

Paver Contractor: The Gallegos Corporation – Vail, Colorado

General Contractor: B&B Excavating – Edwards, Colorado

Owner: Town of Avon – Avon, Colorado

Avon Town Transit Center is our Project of the Month for May 2010. Completed in 2009, it consists of 14,000 SF of heavily trafficked Venetian Stone™ 8cm pavers.

The Town of Avon said the Transit Center was designed to make visits to Avon an “enjoyable and convenient experience”, whether travel is for work or recreation. The Transit Center is not only the public transit system for the Town but caters to commuters throughout the Vail Valley including Beaver Creek, Eagle, Gypsum, and Dotsero, in addition to Leadville and Minturn.

Performance requirements of the pavement system were paramount during the design phase. Avon’s Town Engineer, Jeff Schneider, had multiple expectations for the pavement he wished to utilize in the transit center. Jeff specifically required a pavement that was both “durable and incorporated an attractive surface.” With that in mind, the designer chose Pavestone’s Venetian Stone™ Heritage™ Series pavers in three sizes – 6×6”, 6×9”, and 6×12”.

A durable, high-strength wearing surface was required to address the severe loading requirements, particularly the fleet of 16 buses operated by the Town of Avon. 3 1/8” thick pavers were specified, which are often used in roadway, industrial and commercial applications. Due to the project venue, the larger scale of the Venetian Stone™ helped equalize the project scale and complemented the mountain village architecture.

Project expectations were met with the strength and durability of Pavestone quality pavers, coupled with the uniquely attractive cleft surface. Venetian Stone™ combined old world charm with proven performance.

Jeff Schneider and the Town of Avon are extremely pleased with the completed project and would not hesitate to use Pavestone products on future applications.

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The recent article, Memorial Park Design Honors Vets, written by Michelle Brown, was published in the March 2010 issue of Landscape Architect. The article showcases The Georgia Veterans Memorial Park in Rockdale County, Georgia, which was spearheaded by local citizens of the community. The park was built to honor those men and women who have served this country, both in time of conflict and in peace.

Pavestone Holland Stone Pewter color pavers were used to construct the walkways throughout the park.

Please take a few minutes to read the article and see what they have done by clicking this link: Landscape Architect

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EdgePro® Paver Restraints are engineered to keep pavers in place and to provide heavy-duty support for paver walkways, patios and even driveways. The edge restraints are held in by long spikes. These products are designed for laying pavers straight, or in designs that use a radius installation. It can be installed underneath the paver or on the outside of the paver.

The video below does a good job of showing how to lay out designs with curves and odd shapes, and how to install edge restraints along those lines.

Leave a comment below if you have used this product. Let us know what you think.

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