Asphalt is resilient, but it’s not invincible. Heavy traffic, oil exposure, and the freeze-thaw cycle will eventually break it down.
Regularly maintaining your asphalt parking lot will reduce the need for significant repairs and extend its lifespan. Here are six critical tips to follow:
Repair Cracks
Asphalt is beautiful when new, but it will become marred by cracks if left untreated. Crack repair is a crucial part of any pavement maintenance plan as it prevents moisture intrusion that can cause further damage to your parking lot surface.
Generally, any crack under 1 inch wide can be quickly filled with cold asphalt patching filler poured and tamped. Remove any vegetation growing in the attempt, and clear away debris, like leaves or twigs, before sealing the gap.
If you see larger cracks or potholes, call in a professional to evaluate your asphalt for proper repairs. They’ll ensure the repair is done correctly, avoiding future damage to your vehicle and potentially a lawsuit against you. Also, they’ll help ensure the lot is safe for your customers and employees to use. If the cracks are deep, your parking lot may need to be repaved. This type of cracking usually results from a problem with the underlayers and needs to be addressed by professionals.
Sealcoat
Sealcoating a parking lot helps protect the asphalt from damage caused by the sun, water, and harmful car pollutants. It also reduces the cracking common with pavement exposed to these elements.
Small cracks in the surface of an asphalt lot can get bigger and more dangerous when water seeps into them, freezes, and expands in the winter. As the process repeats, those cracks become potholes. A fresh seal coat layer stops this deterioration by creating a waterproof barrier covering those tiny cracks.
Before seal coating, any cracks that need repairs should be addressed and filled in with a rubberized crack filler. It is essential to clean the parking lot before seal coating to ensure that no debris or dirt could interfere with the quality of the application. Then, the asphalt can be sprayed or brushed on with the sealer, depending on the size of the lot and the tools available to the contractor. It should be allowed to dry and cool for up to 36 hours.
Repair Potholes
Potholes and ruts make parking lots unattractive and hazardous to drivers and pedestrians. Repairing these issues promptly will minimize their impact on your customers and staff and extend the life of your parking lot paving La Porte IN pavement.
The most common cause of potholes in asphalt is poor drainage, which leads to water pooling in low-lying areas and eroding the pavement underneath. Invest in effective drains and a good pavement grading plan for your parking lot to prevent this.
Once you have repaired any cracks and potholes, ensure the area is compacted to avoid tripping hazards. You can do this by using a handheld tamper or, for larger sizes, an asphalt roller or plate compactor.
If your asphalt pavement has become light grey or appears faded, this is a sign that the bitumen in the surface has oxidized and is no longer protecting the aggregate below. To restore this, consider investing in a professional paving company that offers asphalt hot box repairs.
Clean Up
A dirty parking lot leaves a wrong impression on visitors and can lead to liability issues. In addition, a clean lot is safer for pedestrians and helps prevent the buildup of oil and other chemicals that can clog drains and deteriorate asphalt surfaces.
Regular sweeping is easy to remove dirt and debris from your parking lot. Sweeping regularly helps prevent small twigs, leaves, and other waste from becoming embedded in the pavement surface. It also keeps giant waste like garbage and large rocks from clogging the drainage system, which can cause standing water that quickly erodes asphalt.
Addressing stains in your parking lot as soon as they appear is vital. Removing oil and grease stains from asphalt is challenging, especially if they have dried up. To avoid this, try emulsifying the paint with soap and water. This method is more effective than scrubbing, which can work the color more profoundly into the asphalt.