Asphalt Parking Lot Repair
Your asphalt parking lot likely gets heavy use, and the combination of weather and traffic will eventually mean repairs. Even the best quality asphalt pavement needs the occasional round of maintenance and repair to retain its integrity. By scheduling on-time asphalt parking lot repair, you will get the following from your pavement:
- Better long-term durability
- Improved performance and aesthetics
- Enhanced overall value
In fact, it is less expensive to maintain asphalt and keep it in good condition, compared to restoring it once it has deteriorated into poor condition.
Signs That Your Asphalt Parking Lot Needs a Repair
If your asphalt parking lot is in need of maintenance, many of the signs may be obvious. Some of the clear signs that it is time for a professional inspection with a reputable paving company include:
- Noticeable cracking or warping – If significant cracking or warping is apparent with your parking lot, especially fatigue cracking or deep fractures, it is time to schedule an inspection. Not every crack needs to be fixed, but deep or extensive cracks will allow water to rapidly intrude into the pavement and cause additional problems.
- The asphalt is developing potholes – Potholes are a major threat to the parking lot’s condition as they represent weak spots in the pavement. If parts of the parking lot are subsiding and crumbling, act before the pavement’s deeper layers are exposed.
- The asphalt is shedding surface aggregate – Constant impact and abrasion will chip away small pieces of aggregate from the parking lot’s surface. If isolated, it’s not a major concern, but if aggregate loss is significant, it can speed the problem up and leave the asphalt vulnerable to additional wear.
- The asphalt is fading or discolored – With age, your asphalt parking lot will fade from a rich black to a washed out gray. Asphalt that has faded in this way is an eyesore and will make your property appear older than it really is.
- Your asphalt parking lot’s striping is in poor condition – Striping refers to the markings on your parking lot and include parking lot stripes, accessible spaces, fire lanes and pedestrian lanes that are important to maintain regulatory compliance. If your striping is faded or missing in areas, an asphalt contractor can help.
- Noticeable cracking or warping – If significant cracking or warping is apparent with your parking lot, especially fatigue cracking or deep fractures, it is time to schedule an inspection. Not every crack needs to be fixed, but deep or extensive cracks will allow water to rapidly intrude into the pavement and cause additional problems.
Professional Asphalt Parking Lot Repair
Methods and Materials
If you determine that it is time to schedule repairs for your asphalt parking lot, there are several forms of maintenance that your pavement contractor may bring to the job site, including:
- Asphalt sealcoating – During asphalt sealcoating, your parking lot contractor will apply an asphalt emulsion-based sealant to your pavement’s surface. This sealcoat provides a modest layer of wear and impact protection, along with excellent protection against water and UV radiation. Asphalt sealcoating is a fundamental part of pavement maintenance that will protect the parking lot’s aesthetics and performance.
- Asphalt crack repairs – If your parking lot contractor identifies asphalt cracks that should be addressed, they will likely do so with a crack filler. This crack filler consists of melted, rubberized asphalt. The material is deposited into each crack and typically only takes an hour or two to cure. As such, this is an ideal way to maintain highly trafficked roads and parking lots.
- Asphalt pothole repairs – Pothole repairs will seal up any weak spots in your parking lot and ensure the failed areas do not spread. During pothole repairs, your pavement crew will remove any portions of the parking lot that have failed, typically using an extractor to do so. Once that is done, the exposed pavement layers are sprayed down with a tack coat, which serves as an adhesive. A new batch of hot mix is then rolled into each exposed asphalt patch.
- Asphalt overlaying – The most extensive form of non-replacement asphalt repair is a surface overlay. During an overlay, the existing surface layers of asphalt are milled down and removed. Once the subsurface layers are exposed, your parking lot contractor will correct any base issues. A fresh surface course is then layered on top and rolled out until it is sufficiently compacted
- Asphalt sealcoating – During asphalt sealcoating, your parking lot contractor will apply an asphalt emulsion-based sealant to your pavement’s surface. This sealcoat provides a modest layer of wear and impact protection, along with excellent protection against water and UV radiation. Asphalt sealcoating is a fundamental part of pavement maintenance that will protect the parking lot’s aesthetics and performance.
If the above repair methods aren’t sufficient to address the parking lot’s structural issues, full depth replacement will be the recommendation. This involves milling down and reclaiming the existing asphalt, mixing it with fresh asphalt, and installing it over a newly prepared and stabilized base.
Three Reasons to Invest in Expert
Asphalt Parking Lot Repair
Your asphalt parking lot is an investment for your property, and it should be protected with high quality asphalt maintenance. That means partnering with a proven pavement contractor that is backed by an impressive work portfolio. Your parking lot contractor should also have essential client protection measures in place, including being adequately insured.
It is worth doing a bit of research on any asphalt contractors you consider working with in order to find the right expert for your project. Here is why it matters:
- Optimal parking lot durability – Consistent parking lot repairs and maintenance are absolutely essential to maximizing pavement durability. Although asphalt is a robust material, it is common for a large asphalt surface to develop minor cracks and other surface flaws. If addressed promptly, it is easy to mitigate the impact of these minor issues. If not, even minor cracks will accelerate pavement wear over time. As such, it is recommended that property owners work with a proven expert as soon as damage is spotted on your parking lot.
- Better parking lot performance and appearance – Through high quality maintenance, expert pavement contractors will ensure your parking lot’s surface remains uniform in texture and appearance. That is not just valuable from a curb appeal standpoint, it also protects the parking lot’s texture and performance. A smooth driving surface will help motorists control their vehicles better as they move through your parking lot. That means a lower chance of accidents or vehicle damage, both of which can cause liability problems if they occur on a poorly maintained parking lot.
- Maximum value from your parking lot – Ultimately, you will want as many quality years from your parking lot as possible, as it comes down to value. The longer you can put off a new parking lot installation, the longer you will put off the accompanying expense. Expert parking lot maintenance will help further that goal.
- Optimal parking lot durability – Consistent parking lot repairs and maintenance are absolutely essential to maximizing pavement durability. Although asphalt is a robust material, it is common for a large asphalt surface to develop minor cracks and other surface flaws. If addressed promptly, it is easy to mitigate the impact of these minor issues. If not, even minor cracks will accelerate pavement wear over time. As such, it is recommended that property owners work with a proven expert as soon as damage is spotted on your parking lot.
In short, an experienced parking lot contractor will ensure your organization gets the most from its asphalt pavement, no matter how much traffic your parking lots receive.
Quality Asphalt Parking Lot Repairs are an Essential Element of Pavement Maintenance
Parking lots are expected to do their job, day in and out, no matter the weather or how intense traffic is. Asphalt is up to the job as it is an extremely reliable material. However, even high quality, well-mixed asphalt will eventually deteriorate due to wear and weather. When it does begin showing signs of age or wear, it is time to schedule repairs with a trusted asphalt contractor.
An experienced parking lot team can inspect your pavement, assess its condition, identify the causes of any damage, recommend the right repair methods and follow through with them. With a professional approach and professional practices, your parking lot expert can provide reliable asphalt parking lot repairs that will improve its function and appearance. If your parking lot is showing signs of age or damage, reach out to a reputable paving company for an inspection.