As one of the premier asphalt companies in the area, Mr. Pavement has addressed a variety of parking lot issues, from potholes to cracks to depressions and more. We know that over time, asphalt is bound to break down, which is why we offer a variety of services to help keep it strong. Here, we share three main causes of parking lot breakdowns:
Weather
Weather plays a large role in the breakdown of asphalt. Over time, UV rays continuously penetrate the binder that holds asphalt materials (rock, sand, and aggregates) together. As this happens, it breaks down the binder and in turn, causes the asphalt to decompose. In addition to UV rays, the freeze-thaw cycle of water can play a part in asphalt breakdown. When water seeps into asphalt cracks and freezes, it expands, making the crack larger. When the temperatures warm, it thaws and the process starts all over again, making cracks worse and eventually creating more serious issues.
Heavy Weight
Is your parking lot a commercial parking lot or frequented by heavy trucks, vehicles, or machinery? If so, the weight can be a problem. When heavy weight is applied to asphalt over and over again, it will eventually begin to break it down. Once a problem area (such as cracks or divots) is present, any additional heavy weight will just make it worse.
Neglect
Just like any other structural entity, parking lots need to be maintained; reputable asphalt companies know that maintenance is the key to a strong, durable parking lot. If you find your parking lot has suffered damage, we can offer patching services or resurfacing services to restore it back to its original state. In addition to structural maintenance, we also recommend sealcoating your parking lot every 2-3 years to give it an added layer of protection against natural elements. If you don’t maintain your parking lot, you could end up letting small problems turn into larger problems and in return, face higher costs and lengthier times to fix them.
No matter what your parking lot issue, our asphalt experts are here to address it. Simply give us a call at 1-888-PAVEMENT or send us a message to set up your appointment.
