Houston’s summer heat produces intense stress on asphalt parking lots, and that stress can undermine the pavement’s durability in several ways. For example, the summer heat will:
- Soften the asphalt and increase the risk of warping
- Oxidate the pavement’s surface and damage its binders
- Cause thermal expansion cycles that result in cracking
- Create openings through which water can intrude
Houston property owners can mitigate these damaging effects through professional, on-time parking lot maintenance. Partnering with a proven pavement team will extend the parking lot’s lifespan and improve its condition, which provides performance and aesthetic benefits.
What Does Houston's Summer Heat do to Asphalt Parking Lots?
Extreme heat and intense UV radiation both subject asphalt pavement to damaging stresses. Here is more information on how those stressors cause problems for your parking lot:
Soften the asphalt and increase the risk of warping
Bitumen, a petroleum product, is part of every asphalt mix and it softens when exposed to extreme temperatures. In Houston, pavement temperatures can climb to 140 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot day.
When asphalt softens, it is more likely to warp when placed under load. This can result in tire rutting, surface deformation, uneven lane wear or depressions, all of which will damage the parking lot’s condition. Warping is more likely to occur when the asphalt is subjected to heavy commercial traffic.
Oxidate the pavement's surface and damage its binders
UV radiation eats away at the asphalt’s binders, causing it to lose flexibility and become brittle. UV rays will also discolor the asphalt.
Asphalt is a flexible pavement that works by dispersing loading stresses through the pavement’s entire layer stack. If the asphalt loses its flexibility, it will also lose the ability to manage loading forces and may fracture when subjected to heavier traffic.
Cause thermal expansion cycles that result in cracking
As asphalt warms up, it expands, and as it cools, it contracts. This expand and contract cycle takes place daily, from day to night, and it subjects the parking lot to considerable mechanical stresses. When temperatures swing, the resulting stress can cause cracks to form and worsen once they do emerge.
Create openings through which water can intrude
Cracks, potholes and warping will expose the parking lot’s deeper layers to water and weather. If water penetrates down to the pavement’s base, it will eat away at the asphalt’s binders. Eventually, this will cause the asphalt to subside and collapse on itself, resulting in potholes and other major surface flaws.
Together, these issues will cause an asphalt parking lot to fail early if the property owner is not invested in consistent asphalt maintenance.
How Can Houston Property Owners Protect Their Asphalt Parking Lots?
Maintenance is critical for protecting asphalt parking lots from Houston’s summer heat and sun. It is also critical for maximizing the pavement’s lifespan, performance and appearance. That maintenance includes the following:
Asphalt sealcoating
Asphalt sealcoat is an emulsion-based protective layer that is applied directly to the parking lot’s surface. Once it cures, it acts like a shield against UV radiation and water intrusion, while providing modest protection against abrasion and impact. It also improves adhesion between surface-level aggregates, which mitigates the effects of heat and thermal expansion — among the many benefits of parking lot sealcoating.
Asphalt crack and pothole repairs
If cracks and potholes are present on the parking lot’s surface, Houston’s summer heat will worsen those issues and accelerate pavement wear. Sealing those cracks and patching potholes is critical for offsetting heat-related stress and wear — and crack sealing saves your budget compared to the cost of unchecked damage.
Asphalt overlaying
Compared to asphalt crack and pothole repairs, asphalt overlaying is a more extensive form of maintenance. It is typically recommended when the parking lot is several years old or when the pavement has sustained extensive surface-level wear. During an asphalt overlay, the existing parking lot surface is milled down and replaced with a new layer of asphalt. This removes cracks, potholes and other surface flaws, fortifying it against thermal stresses.
In addition to consistent pavement maintenance, the following steps should also be considered to protect the asphalt parking lot:
Install efficient drainage
Inefficient drainage increases the chances that water will pool on the parking lot and intrude into the asphalt’s deeper layers. During the summer heat, thermal stresses exacerbate the impact of cracks and potholes, which can cause them to widen and spread. Protecting a parking lot with storm drains, catch basins and other parking lot drainage solutions will help keep water from damaging the asphalt.
Minimize heavy traffic during hot days
On a hot Houston day, warping and other forms of damage are more likely to occur if the parking lot is subjected to heavy commercial traffic. If possible, direct heavier traffic to minimize its transit time across the pavement and stage commercial vehicles where the parking lot is in good condition.
What Are Some Signs That an Asphalt Parking Lot is Already Affected by Houston Summer Heat?
If an asphalt parking lot is showing any of the following signs, then the Houston summer heat may already be damaging the pavement:
- The asphalt is fading or graying
- The surface is brittle and shedding aggregate
- The surface is developing small cracks
- There are noticeable tire ruts
- Water is pooling on the surface following a rainstorm
If a property owner notices any of these signs, it is time to schedule a round of maintenance with a reputable paving crew.
Protect Your Parking Lot and Beat the Summer Heat by Partnering with a Reputable Pavement Contractor
The Houston summer heat will put intense stress on asphalt parking lots, and these stresses can lead to cracks, potholes and other forms of damage.
To prevent those thermal stresses from causing significant damage to your parking lot, ensure the asphalt is well-maintained and conditioned for the weather. An expert pavement contractor can inspect your parking lot, determine where any damage or wear is emerging, and recommend the most effective maintenance solution for the lot. That will strengthen the parking lot against loading and thermal forces, ensuring it is ready for the hot Houston summer. Contact American Paving for a free quote.
