Latest news with #maintenance
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Washington Post
Do I really need to seal my driveway?
Q: Do I really need to seal my driveway, or is that a racket? And can I do it myself? A: There is considerable debate about whether it's truly necessary to seal asphalt or concrete driveways, but there is also general agreement about the benefits of doing it. Both concrete and asphalt are mixtures of sand, gravel and a binder that holds everything together. In concrete, the glue is Portland cement. In asphalt, it's petroleum-based oil. Both types of paving, if installed correctly with drainage factored in, can last for decades as-is. But both types can also absorb — or be broken down by — spills. Acids and salt are big enemies for concrete; dripping oil from a vehicle can break down asphalt. Ultraviolet rays and heat from the sun can bleach colored concrete and degrade asphalt by making it more brittle and prone to cracking under pressure. And water is one of the worst foes for both types of paving. Where temperatures dip below freezing in the winter, the surfaces can crack when water seeps in and expands. Sealers help keep water from penetrating into the paving. Some have other benefits, such as blocking UV or protecting against stains. And all sealers help a driveway look like it's well cared for. For concrete, you can use a penetrating sealer, which seeps into the minute pores that were left when water in the original concrete mixture evaporated; or a topical sealer, which sits on the surface. For a driveway, the best choice is generally a penetrating sealer with siloxane and/or silane, such as Foundation Armor SX5000. It won't change the look of the concrete or make it more slippery, but it should block water and salt — and all of the problems they cause — for seven to 10 years before it needs to be reapplied. The manufacturer warns, though, that because it isn't a surface coating, it won't block stains. Nor does it resist spilled brake fluid, gasoline or many other solvents. To get more protection against stains (though still not against brake fluid, gasoline and solvents), you would need a surface sealer, such as Foundation Armor AR350, which would give the surface more of a wet look. By darkening the color, it would also help bring out any color added to the concrete, and it would protect against UV, which can cause colorants to fade. You could also mix in color to change the look of your driveway; Armor Foundation sells color packs that result in an opaque coating, like paint. But a surface coating would make the concrete slippery when it is wet, so for a driveway, you'd probably want to use an anti-slip additive or buy a sealer with that feature built in. Also be aware that a surface sealer typically doesn't last very long. You'd need to commit to ongoing maintenance, and you would need to reapply it in one to three years. If your driveway is asphalt, you'll probably want a water-based asphalt sealer. (Coal tar sealers are still sold in parts of the country, but some states have banned them because of concerns about toxic substances in the runoff.) The most challenging part isn't applying the sealer, usually with a squeegee; it's cleaning the surface and filling all the cracks. Pricier sealers include fine sand and other aggregates to help fill tiny cracks (wider cracks and any holes still need to be patched beforehand) and they are likely to last longer than their less expensive counterparts. Black Jack Drive-Maxx, sold at Lowe's and Ace Hardware, comes in formulas labeled 200, 400, 500, 700 and 1000; the 200 type is expected to last two years — probably good only if you're about to put your house on the market, given that all the preparation steps are the same. The 1000 sealer is expected to last 10 years. To decide whether you should seal your driveway yourself, read the technical data sheet, often referred to as the TDS, for the sealer and make sure the steps seem like ones you're able to follow precisely. Details about surface preparation, the application process, the weather and even the time of day really matter, and they vary by product. For example, with its topical sealer, Armor says to work after 5 p.m., when the temperature is dropping and the driveway isn't likely to be in direct sun. For Black Jack Drive-Maxx 1000 asphalt sealer, though, you should work when the temperature is rising. With concrete sealers especially, apply the product in a small test area before you coat the whole driveway. That way you can avoid unexpected problems, which can occur if an earlier sealer is incompatible with what you are applying, or if the driveway isn't clean and dry — or damp, the requirement for some asphalt sealers. Calling a pro might be especially helpful if you don't know what care your driveway has received in the past. Family Handyman has a good step-by-step guide for installing asphalt sealer, including tips about the main ways people mess up, such as by trying to stir a bucket of thick, gooey sealer with a stick instead of with a paddle powered by a drill. The guide author's answer to the question of whether asphalt sealers are really necessary? 'It's true that driveway sealer can't replace the liquid asphalt (oil/tar) that oxidizes and bakes out of the mixture from heat and sun exposure. But a high-quality sealer can dramatically reduce future heat and UV damage. Plus, it seals the pores to prevent aggregate breakup damage caused by water penetration, freeze/thaw cycles and chemicals. So it really does extend the life of your driveway.' Have a problem in your home? Send questions to localliving@ Put 'How To' in the subject line, tell us where you live and try to include a photo.
Khaleej Times
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Expect delays due to work on Jebel Ali-Lehbab Roads this weekend
Dubai motorists are advised to expect traffic delays on the Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road (E77) this weekend due to bridge maintenance work scheduled to take place at the intersection with the Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66). According to Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the maintenance work will begin at 12am on June 20 and will continue through 12am on June 22. The temporary road closures and diversions are expected to affect traffic flow in both directions. Key road closures: Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road overpass (E77) will be closed in both directions, with traffic redirected to the free right exits that lead onto Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66). The U-turn connecting Dubai-Al Ain Road to Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road will also be closed in both directions. Motorists are advised to use the next available exit on Dubai-Al Ain Road as an alternative route. Commuters who frequently use this route are urged to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra travel time to avoid delays.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Maintenance fund to give £9bn a year to fix schools, hospitals and prisons
At least £9 billion a year will go to tackling the 'soaring maintenance backlog' and fixing crumbling schools, hospitals and prisons over the next decade under the Government's infrastructure strategy, a minister has confirmed. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said £6 billion a year would go to repairing hospitals, £3 billion to schools and colleges and £600 million to courts and prisons as part of Labour's plans for 'national renewal'. The maintenance fund is part of the minimum £725 billion committed to boost infrastructure in the 10-year plan, he told the Commons. The Government hopes this preventative action will break the cycle of emergency repairs in public infrastructure. It will go towards making court facilities better in a bid to reduce backlogs, and improving safety and security in prisons across England and Wales. Removing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) will be among the measures taken to update health facilities. The Treasury minister told MPs: 'Done properly it will result in tangible improvements to the fabric of our country, our local roads and high streets renewed so communities are even better places to live. Our public transport more available and more reliable, making it easier for people to get around and access opportunities. 'Our schools and hospitals and GP surgeries fit for the future to deliver for generations to come, and a country that will be stronger and more resilient. 'Communities will see the difference as this Labour Government delivers on the promise of change and a decade of national renewal.' The strategy also includes £1 billion to fix roads, bridges and flyovers and £590 million to start work on the Lower Thames Crossing project. Some £16 billion of public investment will go towards building 500,000 new homes through a new publicly owned National Housing Bank. This is expected to unlock more than £53 billion of private investment. Around £7.9 billion over 10 years will be invested in maintaining and creating new flood defences with the aim of benefiting 840,000 properties. The strategy covers a decade but the spending review cycle every two years will provide a juncture to decide whether to go ahead with projects. A 'pipeline' of projects will be published online in mid-July and will be updated every six months. The chief secretary's shadow counterpart Richard Fuller urged him to set out which major projects are being abandoned and explain why. The pipeline is a digital dashboard that will give an overview of projects the Government is procuring on a map, Mr Jones said in response. 'It will show on a map of the country which projects we're procuring, when and where to give investors and businesses that long-term confidence about the jobs that are going to be available, so that they can invest in their own workforce,' he said. The strategy does not cover so-called megaprojects which cost more than £10 billion and take more than 10 years to deliver – currently the HS2 railway, Sizewell C nuclear plant and the Dreadnought submarine programme. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'Infrastructure is crucial to unlocking growth across the country, but for too long investment has been squeezed. Crumbling public buildings are a sign of the decay that has seeped into our everyday lives because of a total failure to plan and invest. 'We're not just fixing buildings – we're enhancing public services, improving lives and creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth in communities throughout the UK. We're delivering on a decade of national renewal we promised Britain. 'This will deliver the decade of national renewal we promised Britain, and fulfil our Plan for Change goals to kickstart economic growth, and build an NHS fit for the future.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SBM Offshore signs an operations and maintenance contract for FPSO GranMorgu with TotalEnergies
Amsterdam, June 19, 2025 SBM Offshore announces that it has signed an operations and maintenance contract with TotalEnergies EP Suriname B.V., an affiliate of TotalEnergies, for the FPSO GranMorgu, as part of the field development project located in Block 58 in Suriname. The operations and maintenance contract covers the operation readiness phase before first oil as well as the operations and maintenance services for a minimal period of two years after first oil with extension options. This contract reinforces SBM Offshore's long-term strategic partnership with TotalEnergies and marks a significant milestone as SBM Offshore becomes the first FPSO operator in Suriname. It is a testimony to SBM Offshore's focus on excellence throughout the entire project's lifecycle, from the allocation of our eighth Fast4Ward® MPF hull to our extensive experience in asset management supporting TotalEnergies' operations. Corporate Profile SBM Offshore is the world's deepwater ocean-infrastructure expert. Through the design, construction, installation, and operation of offshore floating facilities, we play a pivotal role in a just transition. By advancing our core, we deliver cleaner, more efficient energy production. By pioneering more, we unlock new markets within the blue economy. More than 7,800 SBMers collaborate worldwide to deliver innovative solutions as a responsible partner towards a sustainable future, balancing ocean protection with further information, please visit our website at Financial Calendar Date Year Half Year 2025 Earnings August 7 2025 Third Quarter 2025 Trading Update November 13 2025 Full Year 2025 Earnings February 26 2026 Annual General Meeting April 15 2026 First Quarter 2026 Trading Update May 7 2026 For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Wouter HoltiesCorporate Finance & Investor Relations Manager Phone: +31 (0)20 236 32 36 E-mail: Website: Media Relations Giampaolo ArghittuHead of External Relations Phone: +31 (0)6 212 62 333 / +39 33 494 79 584 E-mail: Website: Market Abuse Regulation This press release may contain inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. Disclaimer Some of the statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those in such statements. These statements may be identified by words such as 'expect', 'should', 'could', 'shall' and / or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The principal risks which could affect the future operations of SBM Offshore N.V. are described in the 'Impacts, Risks and Opportunities' section of the 2024 Annual Report. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and performance of the Company's business may vary materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements described in this release. SBM Offshore does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update any industry information or forward-looking statements set forth in this release to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise. This release contains certain alternative performance measures (APMs) as defined by the ESMA guidelines which are not defined under IFRS. Further information on these APMs is included in the 2024 Annual Report, available on our website Annual Reports - SBM Offshore. Nothing in this release shall be deemed an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. The companies in which SBM Offshore N.V. directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this release 'SBM Offshore' and 'SBM' are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to SBM Offshore N.V. and its subsidiaries in general. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. "SBM Offshore®", the SBM logomark, 'Fast4Ward®', 'emissionZERO®' and 'F4W®' are proprietary marks owned by SBM Offshore. Attachment SBM Offshore signs an operations and maintenance contract for FPSO GranMorgu with TotalEnergiesError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
BBC News
a day ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Two-week maintenance project underway at Guernsey park
Further maintenance work has started at Saumarez Park in Guernsey, the States of Guernsey has two-week-long project started on Thursday and will see contractors remove dried out silt from the sides of the pond next to the playground. A States spokesperson said this would ensure effective drainage of both the park and wider catchment area would park will remain open but the rear car park off Ruette des Saumarez and working areas around the pond will be closed to the public. On 26 and 27 June, work will take place to prepare the grounds for a replacement net on the pirate ship at the playground. Saumarez Park playground will be closed during these days.
