If your job involves managing property and parking lots in Sothern California, you already know how unpredictable the weather can be and how dangerous traffic can become your parking lots. These tips could help alleviate preserve and extend the life of your parking lots.
Regularly keep an eye on your parking lot so that you can have any potential problems addressed before they get out of control and are more expensive to fix. Ideally you would walk your lot once every month.
It is important to remove all dirt, sand, grass, tree limbs and weeds as soon as possible because they can lead to tiny cracks that grow larger and more severe. It's also a good idea to take care of these problems to prevent sealcoating from wearing off which leaves it open for greater damage.
Watch out for the cracks and crumbled asphalt around sewer pipes, storm drains, or manholes. Cracks in these areas can indicate drainage issues.
Depending on how busy your parking lot is, it's recommended that you sealcoat your parking lot every 2-3 years. Sealcoating your parking lot regularly protects the asphalt from oxidation, fills in surface voids and hairline cracks.
Puddles or standing water could indicate that a defect is present, which needs to be addressed. While you don’t have to worry about freeze thaw cycles in Sothern Phoenix, standing water will wear off sealcoating and/or make its way into small cracks weakening the subbase.
Parking lot repairs will not be done often. But you should always have budget for them. A poorly-maintained parking lot will have a shorter life span causing for more costly repairs or maintenance.
An asphalt maintenance plan will help keep you on schedule. Also a maintenance plan will help solve budget issues if they plan is in place. A a reputable paving company help you create a 5, 10 and 15 year plan.
Potholes left unchecked can grow continuously with ongoing traffic and use, increasing the cost of repair. The Pavement Preservation Association recommends that you not wait until a pothole is too big to fix because it will be much more costly in terms of time and materials for repairs
Mulch and dirt from landscaping can cause asphalt to crack if there is no curbing around your planting areas.
Mulch and dirt from landscaping can cause asphalt to crack if there is no curbing around your planting Water is not good for your parking lot. Broken or poorly adjusted sprinklers can add excess water to your parking lot
Permanent damage to your parking lot can result from harmful materials that fall from engines. These chemicals can eat away at asphalt's binder, causing rapid deterioration. These must be removed as soon as possible.
Parking lots are a necessity for any business, but they are not a cheap investment! Following the above tips will help preserve your parking lot, extend is usable life and most importantly save you money in the long run.
