Concrete and Asphalt Maintenance 101
The Importance of Properly Maintaining Paved Surfaces
According to the NHSTA, one in five accidents occur in parking lots. American drivers spend an estimated 3 billion dollars per year to repair damage caused by potholes, with repair costs ranging from $250 to $1000 per incident.
For most customers, the first impression of a company begins in the parking lot. Taking proper care of your asphalt and concrete surfaces will ensure that your company always puts its best foot forward. Properly maintaining parking lots and other outdoor concrete and asphalt surfaces, such as sidewalks and stairs, also contributes greatly to the safety of these areas. With as many as one in five accidents in parking lots, and a $3 billion estimated annual cost to repair vehicle damage caused by potholes, proper maintenance is not an optional item on any facility manager's list.
What causes asphalt to deteriorate?
Several factors can affect the speed at which asphalt and asphalt sealants degrade. Typically, asphalt sealant will be the first thing to go. Vehicle fluids such as leaking oil or antifreeze and inclement weather such as rain, wind, and ice will break down sealants and cause asphalt to deteriorate. Those closer to coastlines must also deal with the effects of sand, which tears up asphalt surfaces when ground into them by wind and car tires—this has led many beachfront business owners to switch their parking lots to concrete, which reduces the need for repairs in the long run. While the initial switch to concrete can be costly, the money is returned over time because concrete requires less frequent maintenance. Concrete must also be sealed and repaired, but less frequently.
Why do asphalt and concrete need to be repaired and maintained?
First impressions and curb appeal are big factors for businesses. If the outside of a business is not well maintained, customers may think the business is failing and choose to go elsewhere. Safety concerns are also significant. Potholes pose a danger to both pedestrians and vehicles. No company wants to deal with a customer's twisted ankle or flat tire, doctor or car repair bill, and potential lawsuits due to improper parking lot maintenance. Parking lot surfaces are also crucial for directing water flow during heavy rains. Erosion can cause surfaces to slant, resulting in water runoff and damage to your business or neighboring properties. Areas with heavy rain can also be subject to sinkholes, which require special underground detection equipment for proper treatment.
When should asphalt be sealed?
Depending on geographic location and climate, it is recommended that most businesses get a seal coat on their asphalt surfaces every three years and every five years at maximum. Even the smallest cracks can grow into larger cracks, which spread and allow water to penetrate. The same applies to concrete. Once the damage becomes too severe, a sealant will no longer be sufficient to restore the surface, and more costly and time-consuming measures will be necessary. In these instances, lots must be milled and overlayed. More expensive projects such as these have the potential to inconvenience customers and disrupt services for more extended periods, so it is best to use preventive measures instead.
Lakeside Project Solutions takes pride in our customer relationships and can provide a maintenance schedule to help prevent more costly repairs. Unlike some companies, Lakeside routinely does two coats of sealer to give the most protection for a longer time.
How long does fixing an asphalt lot take?
Time can vary depending on the job scope, but Lakeside will ensure that your customers and your business are affected as little as possible. We work with you to perform many maintenance at times that work best for your business. In ways that minimize the impact on the ability of your customers to park—this can be achieved in various ways, such as only obstructing one entrance at a time if there are multiple entrances or working at night after regular operating hours. Our years of experience will ensure that your specific needs are addressed.
About Lakeside Project Solutions:
Lakeside Project Solutions can remove the stress from your next asphalt or concrete project. Our expertise in the field enables us to tackle your job and recognize what needs to be done to keep your lots and curbs in great shape for as long as possible. We save you time and money through reliable quoting and pricing. We provide guidance on ADA regulations regarding parking lots, curbs, and accessibility ramps and ensure the use of proper materials and permitting. Lakeside Project Solutions is ready to help.
