Asphalt pavement may be surprisingly economical to install, but that does not mean that you want to rebuild your pavement more frequently than you must. However, that may be precisely what you end up doing unless you are proactive about your asphalt maintenance. To ensure that your pavement receives the correct maintenance at the exact time, you need a pavement management plan. A pavement management plan is a long-term, systematic approach that consolidates all the various options in a single program that spans multiple years. This allows you to allocate your funds with greater accuracy, reduces the need for emergency repairs, significantly extends your pavement’s useful life, and helps reduce your potential liabilities. Establishing an effective pavement management plan is easier than many people believe when they initially consider the task.
Why You Need a Pavement Management Plan | Austin, TX
How Can I Create a Pavement Management Plan?
No universal method exists for creating a pavement management plan; every pavement is unique. Some pavements are only a few months old, but others may be 15 years old. Some pavements must support heavy trucks, but others limit traffic to just passenger vehicles. Past care can range from total neglect to excellent and timely maintenance.
Therefore, much of the work that goes into the creation of a pavement management plan is merely gathering and organizing information about your pavement or pavements.
1. Start by gathering as much information as you can about every pavement. Past quotes and invoices, construction plans, detailed specifications, and similar documents can help you prepare an inventory that lists the pavement’s size, age, previous maintenance, asphalt thickness, and foundation construction.
2. Assess the overall condition of your pavement. Many asphalt paving contractors will be happy to perform an assessment. Whether you conduct your evaluation or receive help from a professional, document the date, the types of damage present, the color of the pavement, and the pavement’s general condition. Try to secure pictures of the pavement, especially distressed areas.
3. Consolidate all documents in a central location. Depending on the number of pavements for which you are responsible, you might need a three-ring binder or a filing cabinet. You might also consider using a computer program to create a spreadsheet. You could also create a separate folder on your computer for each pavement, scan all documents, and save them in the appropriate folder.
4. Begin planning for the maintenance and repairs that you will need. Some procedures may require your immediate attention, including asphalt patching for potholes or severe drainage problems. If a contractor assessed your pavement, he could advise you on the proper schedule for your particular situation. Otherwise, you can follow the preventive maintenance schedule that most reputable asphalt companies recommend.
• Assess the condition of your pavement at least once every year.
• Seal or fill large, deep, or rapidly expanding cracks annually.
• Seal or fill minor cracks every two years.
• If you have a parking lot that receives an average volume of traffic, have a professional apply sealcoating every two years. If your parking lot receives only light traffic, you may not need fresh sealant more than every three or four years.
• Have an experienced, credible company apply fresh pavement markings and stripes every two years. A jam-packed parking lot may require more frequent treatments. Once the paint loses more than one-fourth of its original visibility, it is time to repaint.
• Plan to install an asphalt overlay every 10 to 12 years. Some lists of paving services refer to an overlay installation as asphalt resurfacing. Regardless of the name, this is a rehabilitation procedure that can give your pavement the look of a reconstructed pavement at a fraction of the cost. With proactive maintenance, you can repeat the resurfacing process several times before you must rebuild your pavement.
5. Refer to your plan when it is time to create your annual budget. This is also an ideal time to review your policy and make any necessary modifications.
6. Follow your plan. Good intentions will not prolong the life of your pavement or reduce your need for costly repairs, but an effective pavement management plan will do both.
Alpha Paving offers a full range of asphalt and concrete paving services. We install new pavements, asphalt overlays, speed bumps, traffic signs and thermoplastic pavement markings. We also offer asphalt sealcoating, milling, concrete and asphalt repairs, asphalt patching, street maintenance and parking lot striping. Our clients in Central Texas include a variety of shopping centers, health care facilities, city and county agencies, apartment complexes, homeowner associations, educational facilities, property management firms, airports, restaurants, hotels, subdivisions, and religious institutions. If you need exceptional work at affordable prices, contact us for a free quote by completing our online form or calling 512-677-9001.