Retail Property Asphalt Failures Commonly Found in Shopping Center Parking
Parking lot asphalt paving is subject to significantly more stress than your average residential driveway, especially at shopping centers. Retail centers often support multiple businesses, resulting in non-stop traffic and heavy loads. Pair that with more open exposure to the elements, and retail property asphalt failures are more common than most think. In this blog, we’ll explore the most prevalent asphalt paving issues found in shopping centers and how to address them. The Surface Masters offers years of experience doing asphalt repair in retail settings, and we recently opened a new location in Fort Myers, FL, to help commercial clients protect their asphalt paving against the many challenges faced in the Sunshine State.
What Are the Most Frequently Encountered Retail Property Asphalt Failures?
Cracks and surface fractures are, by far, the most common issue that warrants asphalt repair in retail. Cracks develop for many different reasons. Some are a byproduct of excessive weight and heavy traffic loads. Others are due to oxidation and harsh weather.
Whatever the case, you should never ignore cracking. While this issue seems minor, a lack of parking lot maintenance and repair can cause voids to widen. What starts as a small crack can quickly turn into water infiltration, parking lot potholes, and pavement failure.
Fortunately, there’s a lot that experts can do to mitigate the risk of cracking. Regular cleaning and routine retail parking lot sealcoating can protect your asphalt paving from damaging elements that lead to oxidation, brittleness, and cracking.
When Do Potholes Require Asphalt Patching and Resurfacing?
Potholes are a direct result of water penetration. Water can seep into cracks and erode the foundation or subgrade. Air pockets develop below the surface, and structural failure forms massive voids that can cause injury and vehicle damage. All parking lot potholes warrant immediate attention.
Asphalt patching and resurfacing can mend potholes. Patching, either partial- or full-depth, can mend individual parking lot potholes. Meanwhile, resurfacing is a long-term solution for extensive surface deterioration and recurring parking lot potholes. Like cracking, routine parking lot maintenance and repair are key to prevention.
Can Retail Parking Lot Maintenance Prevent Fading and Discoloration?
High traffic volume and direct exposure to harsh UV rays from the sun can cause the binders in your asphalt paving to oxidize. That results in fading and discoloration. Stains can also develop due to leaking vehicle fluids and road chemicals.
More than just an aesthetic issue, fading and discoloration indicate pavement deterioration. The problem will worsen and weaken the surface. Asphalt patching and resurfacing can correct extensive discoloration and distress. However, routine retail parking lot sealcoating is the best way to prevent these issues from occurring.
How Common is Parking Lot Asphalt Paving Surface Deterioration?
Surface deterioration happens all the time. Often a result of poor maintenance, deterioration can manifest as raveling. The top layers of asphalt oxidize, causing aggregates to break apart and create a rougher surface. Raveling is both unsightly and dangerous, creating tripping hazards for pedestrians walking through your parking lot.
Asphalt patching and resurfacing can correct surface deterioration, while ongoing sealcoating helps prevent it.
What Types of Seasonal Damage Result in Retail Property Asphalt Failures?
Winter brings unique challenges for asphalt paving. Temperature swings, snow, and ice can accelerate asphalt degradation. Water that seeps into cracks can expand in freezing temperatures, pushing cracks further apart. Meanwhile, moisture that penetrates the surface can cause additional foundation damage, leading to alligator cracks, potholes, and significant subsidence.
Retail parking lot sealcoating can prevent harm from cool temperatures, ice, and snow. However, it’s also important to invest in asphalt maintenance and repair to address damage before the winter season begins.
How Can Poor Drainage Lead to Frequent Parking Lot Potholes and Deterioration?
Standing water is the mortal enemy of parking lot asphalt paving. Asphalt is naturally water-resistant, but moisture that collects and pools on the surface can cause oxidation. Surface raveling, cracking, and potholes are often the result of long-term water exposure.
Prioritize drainage improvements. Keep drains clear and ensure water runoff flows effectively away from your asphalt. Correct any low spots through asphalt patching and resurfacing, and schedule routine sealcoating to prevent water penetration.
What Can I Do to Prevent Retail Property Asphalt Failures?
The best way to avoid issues is to work with trusted contractors for ongoing parking lot maintenance and repair. Regular inspections will help contractors identify issues early, enabling them to take action and avoid costly asphalt repairs in retail settings. Experts can also develop ongoing maintenance plans that cover all your bases. With regular sealcoating, cleaning, and timely repairs, you can avoid these failures and more.
Let The Surface Masters be your long-term care partners. We’re an experienced asphalt paving and maintenance contractor that focuses on commercial properties. We understand the complexities of parking lot maintenance and repair for shopping centers. Our team is well-trained and ready to develop solutions that count, no matter how difficult your needs might seem.
The Surface Masters offers a range of services in Atlanta, including new paving, repairs, sealcoating, milling and reclamation, pavement markings, crack sealing, concrete curbing, and more. We also offer free quotes. You can get yours today by calling The Surface Masters at (770) 670-7857, emailing Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com, or submitting your information through our online form for a callback.
