Parking Lot Degradation Signs Every Property Manager Should Observe
No parking lot lasts forever. While there’s a lot you can do to keep your parking lot paving well-protected and beautiful, years of exposure and wear will take a toll. Eventually, you’ll need to invest in resurfacing or asphalt replacement to repave your entire parking lot. But how do you know when that time comes? The key is to look out for signs of parking lot degradation.
Does a Rough Surface Texture and Finish Signal Parking Lot Degradation?
Over time, years of exposure to the sun and rain will cause your asphalt to fade. It may lose its glossy black finish, succumbing to discoloration and staining. Preventative care services like sealcoating help to prevent that, but even with vigilant care, surface defects can eventually occur.
Raveling asphalt is a sign of severe oxidation and deterioration. Raveling asphalt occurs when the binder breaks down, causing the aggregates to loosen and crumble. You might see loose rocks and a noticeably rough texture.
Once you get to the point of raveling asphalt, sealcoating offers diminishing returns, acting as a bandage rather than actual protection.
When Are Cracks More Than Just a Basic Form of Asphalt Damage?
Cracking is normal. It’s the most common form of asphalt damage and is an issue that experts can easily fix with filling and sealing. However, severely degraded asphalt will exhibit widespread cracking beyond what’s normal. Rather than simple surface-level voids, you might notice extensive alligator cracking, interconnected voids over a large surface area, and cracks that reappear after sealing.
The underlying pavement structure is starting to suffer, causing more asphalt damage to reflect on the surface.
Does the Need for Frequent Pothole Repair Indicate Severe Distress?
Potholes aren’t ideal, and you should work to avoid them with regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and proper installation from experienced parking lot paving companies. However, the occasional pothole isn’t a huge deal. That is, however, until potholes keep coming back.
Pothole repair issues develop when water seeps through cracks and erodes the pavement foundation. Parking lot paving companies can apply a patch to restore the pavement’s integrity.
Unfortunately, deep-rooted problems can erode the base layers to the point that the entire structure becomes weak. Potholes will continue to form, no matter how much you hire contractors for pothole repair. The only option is asphalt replacement and new parking lot paving to fix the foundation.
Is Standing Water a Sign of Considerable Parking Lot Degradation?
Standing water is a sign of poor drainage. The best parking lot paving companies will create a slight slope during installation, allowing water to flow off the surface and into nearby drainage infrastructure. Unfortunately, drainage issues can develop, leading to water pooling in low spots.
Poor drainage is a sign of serious deterioration. Not only that, but standing water will only exacerbate the problem. Water can damage the asphalt, causing it to oxidize and degrade. When you’re dealing with pooling water throughout your parking lot, you need to invest in more extensive work to address the poor drainage.
Should I Start Planning for Asphalt Replacement If Maintenance Costs Rise?
Ongoing maintenance is critical. Vigilant care is key to protecting your parking lot paving, preventing damage, and extending its longevity. It’s normal for maintenance costs to increase as your parking lot ages.
Older asphalt will require more frequent attention than fresh paving. However, when maintenance costs rise to the point where you’re paying more for repairs than for prevention, it may be time to consider resurfacing or asphalt replacement.
Another way to know when it’s time to start planning to repave your parking lot is to work with a reputable paving contractor in Atlanta like The Surface Masters. We’re a trusted company that offers a wide range of services to meet your needs, including new paving, milling and reclamation, repairs, pavement markings, sealcoaitng, and more. Our team is well-trained to spot signs of trouble early on. We can conduct regular inspections to help you stay on top of your asphalt’s distinct needs.
Call The Surface Masters at (770) 250-6392, email Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com, or submit your information using our online form today to get a free quote. We’re eager to service your parking lot paving and provide the attention it deserves.
