There are so many culprits when it comes to asphalt damage, especially commercial parking lot paving. These things cause damage slowly, but consistently. An innocent crack could turn into alligatoring, or even a pothole with continued aggravation. Let’s look at some of the main things to keep away from your parking lot to ensure a long life and reduce the need for costly expenses.
Heavy Trucks on Commercial Parking Lot Paving
When we think about the fact that the average garbage truck is equivalent to the weight of 2,000 cars, it puts into perspective the harm it is causing to asphalt. Heavy vehicles cause asphalt to bend and crack, especially if it’s travelling slowly. While heavy vehicles are pretty unavoidable, there are ways to reduce the damage they cause. For starters, you can relocate load-in/load-out spots for heavy vehicles to a dedicated area. Traffic can also be reduced to lessen the strain put on the paving. In the allocated collection spots for trucks, thicker/deeper asphalt sections can be installed to strengthen the surface.
Destructive Substances
Exposure to gas, oil and various chemicals can make the process of asphalt deterioration much quicker. The asphalt begins to soften and the liquid binder that holds the rocks together loses its elasticity. This makes it weak and prone to crumbling especially if the substances have had a chance to sit and absorb into the pavement. Ever see those oil stains on roadways? Those oil stains are one of the top causes of asphalt deterioration. In order to stop this from happening in your commercial parking lot paving, sealcoat the surface to create a barrier and reduce damage.
Age and Environmental Wear
Aside from age being an obvious cause of deterioration, environmental wear can cause slow but consistent damage. Sun, water and the freeze/thaw cycle can greatly contribute to this. Outdoor parking lots are the quickest to deteriorate, so extra precautions should be taken – like sealcoating the surface.
Feel free to contact us for more information! Our experts can help provide you with a free quote, and a consultation regarding the most suitable procedure for your commercial parking lot paving.
