An asphalt parking lot represents a significant investment, so naturally you would like for it to last as long as possible. Neglected pavement will have a much shorter life than well-maintained pavement. Proper maintenance is crucial to maximizing your return on investment. The following tips can help you make sure that your asphalt pavement reaches its full lifespan.
1. Remove all debris, such as leaves or grass clippings, as soon as possible. Debris reduces the curb appeal of your business, but it can actually facilitate damage to your pavement by allowing water to accumulate beneath it. If there are any cracks in your pavement, the water can penetrate to the foundation and cause damage that is costly to repair.
2. Fill or seal cracks as soon as they appear. Cracks have a tendency to spread, and before you know it, your pavement could be riddled with potholes or alligator cracks.
3. Conduct regular inspections of your parking lot to look for cracks, low spots or signs that your pavement is stressed.
4. Have your parking lot sealcoated as needed. The weight and number of vehicles that use your parking lot determine how often you will need to have sealcoating reapplied; you might need annual treatments, or you might only need fresh sealcoating every three or four years. Other factors that can affect the frequency of sealcoating include the weather and the severity of oil or other chemical spills.
5. Although sealcoating slows down the rate at which automotive fluids will penetrate to the asphalt, if you do not remove them, they will make it through the sealcoating and cause the asphalt to deteriorate prematurely. Remove oil spills and fluid leaks as soon as possible.
6. Your pavement needs proper drainage to avoid the potential for a damaged foundation. Clean out drainage basins as needed, and if you notice areas that are not draining properly, consult a reputable asphalt professional to remedy the deficiency.
Alpha Paving Industries provides a full range of asphalt services to customers in Central Texas, including the greater Austin area. We have more than three decades of industry experience and are committed to giving our customers exceptional results at competitive rates. Whether you need new pavement installed, a preventive maintenance plan or asphalt repairs, we can help. You can request a free quote by calling (512) 677-9001 or submitting our online form.