5 Things You Need To Know About Paving A Parking Lot in Atlanta

Paving a parking lot is a more complex process than most realize. While Atlanta asphalt paving looks straightforward, every parking lot requires careful engineering and planning. There’s substantial work that goes into constructing surfaces that can serve as commercial or industrial property for decades. Here’s what you need to know.

How Do Paving Contractors in Atlanta Approach a Project?

Getting an asphalt parking lot isn’t as simple as laying hot material. Contractors must engineer your asphalt paving to meet your specific needs. This includes selecting the correct asphalt mix and determining the optimal thickness. All parking lots look the same at the surface level. However, they can range in thickness from 4 to 12 inches.

Paving contractors in Atlanta determine the appropriate materials and thickness based on the intended use of your parking lot. Will it support standard vehicle traffic, or will it also need to accommodate heavy-duty vehicles, such as semi-trucks? Will it receive round-the-clock traffic or light traffic? Those are all questions that Atlanta asphalt paving contractors will ask to determine the best approach for your project.

How Important is the Foundation?

The foundation that supports your parking lot paving is vital. If not done correctly, you could encounter serious parking lot repair issues not long after construction. Before any asphalt comes into the mix, teams will excavate the site and conduct soil tests. These tests unveil the existing soil’s load-bearing capabilities, guiding contractors forward. Most sites will need some soil amendments to add strength and stability.

Next comes a base layer of gravel. Asphalt paving professionals compact the gravel to ensure the proper thickness throughout. A strong foundation can dramatically reduce the risk of parking lot repair issues in the future, creating a reliable base that easily supports asphalt paving and heavy traffic.

Does Paving Need to Comply with Any Code Requirements?

There are numerous federal, state, and local codes to consider. Not only do contractors need to follow strict requirements in Atlanta parking lot paving construction, but they must also adhere to guidelines governing accessibility, emergency response, and other relevant considerations. For example, every parking lot in Atlanta needs a specific number of accessible stalls and additional ADA-compliant features. You may also need to mark fire lanes or follow specific dimensional requirements when connecting your parking lot to public thoroughfares.

Work with a reputable Atlanta parking lot paving company that’s well-versed in code compliance. They should obtain all the necessary permits from the city, follow every requirement to the letter, and undergo the inspection process to ensure everything meets all standards.

Why Do Contractors Focus So Much on Drainage When Paving a Parking Lot?

Standing water is your parking lot’s biggest enemy. Asphalt is naturally water-resistant. However, it’s not capable of holding water long-term. Even with proper parking lot sealcoating, poor drainage will wreak havoc on your asphalt over time, resulting in premature deterioration and ongoing parking lot repair issues.

Drainage should be a priority from the start of your project. Before laying the asphalt, experienced Atlanta asphalt paving contractors will carefully adjust the foundation’s elevation to create a slope that promotes adequate water runoff. They’ll also introduce drainage infrastructure where necessary, including catch basins that can cover your entire parking lot.

Does Atlanta Parking Lot Paving Require Ongoing Care?

Paving contractors in Atlanta will work hard to deliver outstanding results, but the finished product won’t last unless you invest in ongoing maintenance. Your asphalt requires ongoing care throughout its life to mitigate the risk of damage, improve safety, and more. It’ll need regular parking lot sealcoating, occasional repairs, annual crack-sealing, and parking lot striping. It’s also wise to get yearly inspections, ensuring you can keep up with the ever-changing needs of your parking lot paving.

Whether you need new paving or parking lot sealcoating, you can trust The Surface Masters to meet your needs. We’re a seasoned Atlanta asphalt paving company that has spent years building a reputation as one of the best. Our team works diligently to meet your specific needs while providing customer service you can trust. In addition to parking lot paving, we offer services including milling, reclamation, repairs, sealcoating, resurfacing, crack sealing, concrete curbing, and more.

Contact The Surface Masters today at (770) 250-6392, email us at info@thesurfacemasters.com, or use our online form to receive your free quote.