Learn what to do when the asphalt in your parking lot is wearing down.
Your parking lot is often the first impression that a potential customer has of your business. If it is smooth and clean and well-kept, it looks like you take good care of it, and people can assume, by extension, that you will take care of their business needs. When it is full of potholes, covered in oil spots, and messy with trash, a potential customer may decide that they should take their business elsewhere. But paving a parking lot is a significant expense, and the unfortunate reality is that the asphalt on your lot naturally starts to break down almost as soon as it is down. However, there are some steps you can take to protect your parking lot if you see that it is wearing down more quickly than it should.
How Long Should Asphalt Last?
There are many factors that can affect how long the lifetime of asphalt is. When you have an asphalt lot that was installed correctly, and if you perform all of the needed maintenance and cleaning as soon as it is required, a lot can last as long as 25 years without needing to be replaced. Even with proper maintenance and installation, asphalt naturally breaks down eventually in sun and weather.
What Causes It To Break Down?
Asphalt is not permanent, even though it lasts for many years. Sun, weather, and use all cause it to break down – in fact, the more it is used, the faster it breaks down. If water or oil is allowed to sit on the surface, that can also cause it to break down more quickly. It will also break down faster if it was installed without the proper base, without the proper grade, or at the incorrect temperature. The asphalt may also break down more quickly if the lot is over or under compacted. Finally, if the binder that holds the pavement together wasn’t high enough quality, it may breakdown more quickly than it should.
What Can You Do?
The best way to protect your parking lot and extend the life of the asphalt is to keep it clean. Routinely remove debris that builds up and may be ground into the surface. When you notice oil spots or gasoline spots, clean them up as soon as you can – letting them sit will speed up the breakdown of the asphalt.
Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises
If you want to protect your pavement and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your community sidewalks, parking lots and pavement maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, asphalt, masonry, paving, consultation, and survey report services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.
Tags: asphalt, Asphalt Maintenance, My Pavement Guy, pavement, PTG Enterprises
