Your parking lot says a lot about you and your business. An unsightly, unsafe parking lot may negatively reflect on your professionalism, your concern for your customers, and the worth of your goods or services. However, you may be wondering whether you could get by with a few repairs or need an asphalt overlay. Although only a thorough evaluation by a reputable asphalt contractor can provide a definitive answer, there are some signs that you can identify yourself.
When Is It Time to Overlay Your Asphalt Parking Lot?
How Old Is Your Asphalt Parking Lot?
In the Atlanta area, a typical parking lot will usually need an overlay every 12 to 15 years. However, if you have scrupulously maintained your commercial paving throughout its life, you may not need an overlay until your pavement is 15 to 20 years old. On the other hand, if your pavement has received little or no maintenance, it could be in serious trouble before it is 10 years old.
What Issues Does Your Pavement Have?
If your pavement has a few shallow cracks, has turned an unattractive shade of gray, or has a couple of small potholes, repairing and sealcoating your pavement may be sufficient. However, large or multiple alligator cracking areas, numerous potholes that are deep and wide, and an abundance of wide, long cracks that extend deep below the surface may be signs that an overlay is the best option. Pavement resurfacing may also be the right choice if you can identify a great many soft spots, depressions, or swollen spots. In some cases, an overlay can also be useful if your pavement displays block cracking, rutting, or raveling.
What Changes Have Occurred Since Your Parking Lot Was Built?
When your parking lot was built, the asphalt paving company that installed it designed the pavement to match the expected use. Changes in how your parking lot is used may make pavement resurfacing beneficial. For example, suppose you initially banned recreational vehicles from entering your lot. Still, you now allow customers selling their RVs to leave them parked for extended periods along the perimeter of your pavement. Suppose your business originally received only a small number of van deliveries each week, but your shipments are now arriving in two tractor-trailers every day. Although there is no guarantee, your asphalt paving contractor may be able to install an overlay that will strengthen your pavement sufficiently to withstand the new challenges.
What Do the Aggregates in Your Pavement Look Like on the Surface?
When asphalt paving company prepares a mix, the mix will include crushed stones, rocks, or gravel, collectively referred to as aggregates. These aggregates have rough, pointed edges that rest just above the surface to enhance skid resistance. If the aggregates in asphalt pavement are smooth and shiny or tiny or missing altogether, this is a condition known as aggregate polishing. In most cases, aggregate polishing results from years of normal wear, and an asphalt overlay can be an excellent way to restore the pavement’s skid resistance. However, if the pavement is less than five years old, polished aggregates could be a sign of a problem with the asphalt mix or installation. If so, only your paving contractor can determine whether an overlay is a feasible solution.
The Surface Masters: The Right Commercial Paving Company for Your Asphalt Pavement
We are the Atlanta area’s experts in asphalt paving. We offer an extensive selection of commercial paving services, including asphalt paving, asphalt resurfacing, sealcoating, asphalt patching, parking lot markings, asphalt crack sealing, and concrete work. Our reputation is unmatched, our craftsmanship is superb, and our customer service is exemplary. If you would like to request a free quote, complete the online form, or call 770-250-6392.
