Pavement & Parking Structures

August 3 2026

Helpful Tips For Pickleball Conversion

Interest in pickleball continues to grow, and many communities are exploring ways to convert existing tennis courts into pickleball courts. With participation increasing dramatically over the past decade, adding pickleball has become one of the most requested recreational amenities. However, before moving forward, there are several important factors to evaluate.

First and foremost is to determine the existing condition of the playing surface. Does it require a simple color-coat resurfacing, or are crack repairs or a full rehabilitation needed? Many courts are constructed of hot mix asphalt and the asphalt does need to be rehabilitated from time to time. This could consist of the application of another layer of asphalt over the existing or in some instances, removal and replacement of the existing materials.
Drainage of the playing surface should be reviewed. Ponded water on the playing surface can have a negative impact on the playability of the courts as well as their long-term performance. Often times ponded water can be addressed during the color-coat application while other, in more severe cases, more significant modifications or reprofiling might be needed.
Will the pickleball courts be simply striped into an existing tennis court or will the pickleball courts replace a tennis court? The size and layout of the two courts are different as well as net heights. Because pickle ball courts are considerably smaller than tennis courts, two tennis court battery can be readily converted into four pickle ball courts
Do fencing or wind screens need to be added to provide more desirable playing conditions. While fencing is not required in most cases, it can afford a better playing environment.
Sound impacts should also be considered. Pickleball does come with a noticeable sound difference in sound from play.

Converting existing tennis courts into pickleball courts can be an excellent investment that increases community engagement and recreational opportunities. Every site is unique, so a thorough evaluation of the existing facilities will help determine the most cost-effective approach.

Our team would be happy to assess your courts and help identify the best solution for your community.

February 14 2023

Removing Snow From Parking Structures

parking garage med Proper removal of snow from a parking garage is usually the first thing on the owner’s mind after a snowstorm to the allow the garage’s top deck to become operational again. However, some owners may not realize that improper removal of the snow could jeopardize their structure, particularly if all the snow is stored on a single location on the top deck. Most buildings within the surrounding area are designed to withstand a code-prescribed snow load of approximately 30 pounds per square foot (psf). However, stacking large amounts of wet, melting snow in a concentrated area can cause loads double or triple the design load to be applied to the structure, risking its structural integrity and, in the worst case scenarios, leading to failure.

There are several more building-friendly ways to remove this snow and get the parking open again. One way to remove the snow would be close the top deck to vehicular traffic until the snow melts; however, given the amount of snow and conditions following the storm, this could take several days. De-icing salts could be used to accelerate the melting of the snow, but if the slab has never received a protective coating, the chloride-heavy melted snow could penetrate into the slab and accelerate deterioration of the steel reinforcement within the slab. If the owner chooses to remove snow off of the top deck through use of shovels and plows, special equipment may need to be used to ensure any coatings on top of the slab are not damaged. Ultimately, the best way to remove snow following a storm depends on the needs and composition of your specific structure.

August 5 2019

Pouring Concrete In The Summer

hose When the summer heats up, we often begin looking for methods of keeping things cool while outdoors. Whether we are trying to cool our gardens, our structures, or ourselves, water is considered one of the most effective tools in this regard. But not all things will benefit from added water, even on a hot summer day.

Concrete is the most widely-used building material in the world. It is celebrated for its compressive strength, which is produced by a combination of the chemical reaction between cement and water, and the presence of aggregate within the mix. The ratio between these materials within a concrete mix can have great effects on the strength of the hardened product. In particular, excessive water can have extended adverse effects on the strength of new concrete as it hardens and cures, and therefore can compromise the integrity of the resulting concrete structure.

Because of the impact that water can have on concrete strength gain, engineers have closely studied and observed the relationship between water content and concrete compressive strength. The figure below (https://www.engineeringintro.com/concrete/concrete-strength/water-to-cement-ratio/) is a graph representing that relationship, which shows the reduction of fully-cured compressive strength as the water-cement ratio is increased. The water-cement (w/c) ratio is the value of weight of water divided by weight of cement in a concrete mix. During concrete placement, the w/c ratio increases when water is added to the mix without also adding more cement. As we can see from the graph, the proportion of water within a concrete mix plays an important role in allowing the hardened concrete to reach its design strength.

graph

Each year, the hottest months of the summer bring plenty of concerns for new concrete, one of the primary items involving high temperatures (see our blog post, August 13, 2012). In an effort to keep a concrete mix temperature down, it is no real surprise that someone’s first instinct might be to add water. But there are other effective ways to cool concrete without compromising strength- so that we can save some water and help build stronger structures.

January 18 2019

Paving Fabric Woes

We have found paving fabrics to be very useful in pavement rehabilitation. However, it’s important to apply a proper thickness of asphalt over the fabric or premature failures can occur.

The photograph illustrates what often happens when a thin layer (less than an inch and a half) is applied over paving fabric.

Ron Brookman, our pavement expert, would be happy to discuss any pavement concerns you many be facing this Spring. Send him your questions at: rbrookman@etc-web.com

March 12 2018

Getting To The Core Of The Problem

core When evaluating asphalt pavement, including asphalt-paved parking decks, ETC recommends core sampling as part of our investigative service. Extracting a core sample of the pavement can be beneficial in telling the history of the pavement construction as well as the conditions of the sub-base profile beneath the asphalt.

The cores can also tell the story of past pavement work, including structural repairs, pavement membrane (fabric) installation, and multiple repaved layers of asphalt, which can help minimize change orders during the work. This information assists us in developing specifications necessary to address the pavement rehabilitation needs.

Typically, pavement deterioration can be traced back to the sub-base design (the materials below the pavement) and their manner of installation and compaction. What we commonly look for is a stone aggregate material in thicknesses that exceed the pavement profile. In many instances, our sampling will also reveal the condition of the sub-base (or soils) below the pavement as well. Soils with high clay content can affect our recommendations for the type of rehabilitation work.

If these conditions are not defined before scope preparation and implementation, the pavement rehabilitation work may not adequately address the needed issues. This can lead to a reduced pavement life and more costly, long term repairs.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for all your pavement questions and concerns. We can have a member of our pavement consulting and inspection staff visit your property to provide a pavement evaluation proposal, free of charge.

February 7 2018

How can I repair footprints in my concrete sidewalk?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix for addressing footprints in your sidewalk. Your best bet is to remove and repour the affected panel (section between control joints). There are other options out there including filling the footprint in with a repair material (e.g. sand filled epoxy), patching the area, or grinding down the area, but these repairs will be noticeable and/or may require follow-up repairs down the road.

LETS WORK TOGETHER

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January 16 2018

No Need For Ice Melt?

Imagine a winter without the need for ice melt. Researchers at Drexel, Purdue and Oregon State University are working with concrete admixtures to hopefully make this a reality. Their research includes the addition of phase changing materials such as paraffin, coconut, or palm oils into the concrete mix and has proven to melt snow in certain conditions. The phase change materials release thermal energy as they solidify, meaning as the temperature drops, they release heat, which melts the snow. The inclusion of the phase changing materials in the concrete mix result in a one-time cost at construction rather than reoccurring costs, such as electricity, in cases where heating elements are embedded in concrete for snow melting. More information on the research can be found at the following link: http://drexel.edu/now/archive/2017/September/self-melting-concrete-roads/.

The Researchers state that this technology is ideal for the Mid-Atlantic region as the performance of the phase changing materials works best where the temperature frequently moves above and below freezing. There are many benefits to eliminating the use of deicing chemicals. Reduced operating costs and the reduced deterioration of concrete structures are the most beneficial to Building Owners. While to the environment, eliminating the use of traditional deicers will help keep the millions of tons of salt used in the region during a typical winter from entering the local waterways.

The new mix additives are expected to begin large scale testing in early 2018. While probably a few years away from widespread commercial implementation, it is nice to think that one day we may never need to clear our sidewalk of snow.

Understanding material performance and environmental impacts is key to maintaining safe and functional infrastructure. Learn to identify and address the deterioration of concrete to prevent costly repairs and ensure long-term durability. Ever wonder why bridges ice over before roads? Explore the science behind this phenomenon and its implications for safety. For construction projects, our guide to building materials highlights the best options for strength and resilience. Additionally, dive into expert insights on pavement and parking structures to ensure your facilities remain reliable and secure. Explore these resources for valuable knowledge and practical solutions!

January 12 2018

Attack of the Road Salts

salt 2 Parking garages in this region are attacked by road salts and water throughout much of the year. The cost to repair deteriorated concrete can be quite high and the project can cause significant inconvenience to garage users. So, as part of a parking garage restoration project, we recommend and our clients tend to include, application of a vehicular-traffic-bearing membrane on the structural slabs to help protect their investment and extend the service life of the garage.

There are two basic classes of products commonly used to protect garage slabs, one of which is penetrating sealers. Penetrating sealers include materials such as silanes and siloxanes, which are silicone-based water repellants. These compounds penetrate into the concrete and react with the silica to create a water repellant barrier that also retards chloride migration.

Penetrating sealers are breathable so they do not create a vapor barrier and are relatively inexpensive. However, they do not seal cracks and require frequent reapplication as their effectiveness decreases with wear and time. These materials usually need to be renewed on a three to five year schedule.

The other class is traffic-bearing membranes, which are liquid-applied materials in several layers of cementitious, epoxy, or urethane compounds. These systems are all relatively thick (up to about 90 mils) and are designed with the properties needed to withstand the destructive forces imposed by vehicles tires.

July 6 2017

Solving Parking Problems

Perhaps the nicest looking parking lot in the county just opened at our client’s apartment community. We helped add about 90 sorely needed parking spaces to solve a parking crisis at an early 1960’s vintage property. An old swimming pool had to be removed to make way for the new lot, which is complete with extensive landscaping, new LED lights, and storm water retention facilities.

May 9 2017

Scaling Concrete Surfaces

scaling concrete Is your concrete peeling or flaking in localized areas? Are you noticing rough, aggregate surfaces in your concrete that haven’t been there before, particularly after the latest round of winter weather? If so, your concrete may be experiencing a condition called scaling.

Scaling occurs when a thin layer of the concrete surface flakes, or scales, from the concrete element. Removal of this thin layer often exposes the underlying, open-pore structure of the concrete, which poses a durability concern. The most common causes of scaling are listed below.

Non- or Low-Air-Entrained Concrete – Air-entrained concrete contains small voids which accommodate volume changes when water (i.e. precipitation) in the concrete freezes and expands. If the concrete is not properly air entrained, the concrete surface may be overcome by expansive forces during freeze-thaw cycles, resulting in loss of material.
Unsuitable Concrete Mix – Concrete mixes with low strength (less than 4,000 psi in exterior, exposed conditions) or those with high water-to-cement ratios are more susceptible to water intrusion and deterioration.
Excessive/Improper Deicing Agents – These chemicals can attack surface layers of concrete. These chemicals can also create brines (which have lower freezing points than fresh water), and can increase the number of freeze-thaw cycles.
Poor Finishing – Overworked concrete surfaces or those that receive additional water and or finished with bleed water can result in reduced entrained air content or weak, thin, cementitious paste deposits at surfaces.

Repairing scaled concrete surfaces can prove difficult. If a proper bond is not achieved between the cementitious topping/overlay and the underlying concrete, additional scaling or delamination may occur. If scaling is prevalent in your community, contact a professional engineer to determine the extent of the damage and to develop the proper repair strategy.