Asphalt Maintenance Tips

By following these tips you can dramatically improve the life of your asphalt pavement parking lot. Regularly scheduled preventative maintenance may cost some cash upfront but can save upwards of thousands of dollars in the life-cycle of your pavement. Asphalt begins to break down by water penetration, sun oxidation, salts, oils, gas, and temperature fluctuations.

Water is the leading cause of failed pavement. If water gets into the base course of your parking lot, it is only a matter of time before you will see potholes begin to form. Any standing water (aka birdbaths) will need to be addressed as soon as possible. Give us a call to install adequate catch basins and drainage systems. 

Large trucks such as delivery and garbage trucks carry an incredible amount of weight. The impact of this load can quickly destroy the asphalt pavement surface. If your asphalt's under-base was not properly compacted rutting and cracks can form. The best way to reduce the amount of traffic from these vehicles is to move garbage containers closer to the roadway entrance or exits. This is a quick, easy, and free fix.

Well kept parking lots should have a regular schedule of sweeping, blowing, and commercial pressure washing services. This helps to remove loose aggregates and foreign objects from the surface. Broken glass and other hazards is commonly found in commercial parking lots. Ensure that your lot is performing and looking its best by cleaning it. Regular cleaning also helps to reveal and problem areas that may beginning to deteriorate.

Sealcoating a parking lot is like adding a layer of sunscreen on your skin but in this case for your parking lot. It provides a layer of protection against the elements. An asphalt parking lot should be sealed every 24-36 months. For best results the application should take place in weather 50 degrees F or warmer for over 8 hours. We always spray two coats down per parking lot ensuring complete coverage. Traffic should be kept off the surface for 24 hours to ensure enough curing time. Another benefit of sealcoating is enhanced curb appeal and freshly marked parking spaces / pavement markings.