Everything breaks down over time and your parking lot is no exception.
If you’ve recently had your business’s parking lot paved or if you’ve just added a new addition to your lot, it might be difficult to imagine it breaking down or showing signs of wear and tear.
But make no mistake about it—your parking lot is guaranteed to deteriorate over time.
While your asphalt parking lot may be rated to last for up to 20 – 30 years, its lifespan is ultimately dependent on how well you take care of it and how well you manage the three biggest causes of deterioration:
1. Pressure
The very purpose of a parking lot is to accommodate vehicles and equipment of all shapes and sizes.
Unfortunately for your business, it’s these heavy vehicles and equipment that also cause your parking lot to weaken and buckle. The greater the pressure, the quicker you can expect your parking lot to break down.
Especially if there are already weak points across your parking lots—such as cracks, divots, and potholes—adding pressure to those areas is only going to worsen the blemishes.
2. Weather
Poor weather has the potential to wreak havoc on your parking lot. While its impact may not be immediately visible, there could be signs of deterioration that are developing underneath the surface.
Asphalt surfaces, more so than tar and chip seal and other paving methods, are particularly susceptible to deteriorating when exposed to either hot or cold weather. UV rays can eat at the asphalt’s binder and cause the materials to break apart, while cold weather and water can cause existing cracks and potholes to expand.
If you live in an area where harsh conditions are common, you should anticipate needing routine maintenance and repairs performed on your parking lot. Here in West Texas, we frequently see hot and dry weather—especially during the summer months.
3. Neglect
Every parking lot surface—regardless of whether it’s asphalt, tar and chip seal, or concrete—needs to be maintained and repaired on time.
Naturally, pressure from vehicles and equipment will cause your parking lot surface to break down, as well as harsh weather conditions. Neglecting your parking lot and refusing to keep it properly maintained will only exacerbate any underlying issues and accelerate deterioration.
Remember, cracks turn into small divots and those small divots turn into potholes!
For this reason, it’s recommended that you speak with your local paving contractor to set up a maintenance schedule for your parking lot. Your contractor will be able to determine how often your parking lot will need to be serviced, largely based on some of the following factors:
- The date your parking lot was installed
- The materials used for your parking lot
- The location of your business
- The climate in your area
- The amount of traffic and usage your parking lot sees
- The current state of your parking lot
Getting the most out of your parking lot starts with taking good care of it and making sure issues are addressed before they grow out of hand.
Does your parking lot need maintenance or repairs? Do you need help with a new parking lot or addition?
Contact us today. We’d be more than happy to discuss your next project with you!