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Top Five Reasons To Repair The Potholes In Your Parking Lot

Small business owners have a lot of weight on their shoulders. They always have to watch for the angles to increase revenue. They have to manage staff, customers, vendors, and government regulators.

Cutting costs is always on the menu, but only in a way that does not reduce customer satisfaction. On top of all this, they must keep the concrete parking lots and buildings in good condition. As a manager or business owner, you probably understand this balancing act.

Here are five reasons you might want to prioritize repairing the potholes in your parking lot.

Managing The First Impression

For the customers who don’t find you on the internet, the parking lot is part of their first impression. People driving by watch your building and parking lot for signs of prosperity. Potential customers begin judging the experience the moment they drive onto your property.

Maintaining a smooth parking lot is as necessary to customer experience as keeping the floors clean. You wouldn’t let your customers wade through piles of trash, would you?

Disrepair Only Gets Worse

Not spending $50 today can often cost you $100 tomorrow. It can be true in health care and car maintenance, and it is true with parking lots.

If you don’t fix the potholes now, they will only get bigger with time. Eventually, they will get so bad that you will have to replace the entire parking lot. Fixing the damage at your first opportunity will save you money in the long run.

Avoiding Lawsuits for Damage

Most tires can roll over very small potholes without a problem. But consistent car traffic contributes to the severity of the broken concrete. Rain, snow, salt, and extreme heat can also combine to do additional damage. Before long, the dent is large enough for tires to physically fall inside.

That places your business at risk for angry customers with damaged rims and tires. The last thing you need is more expenses.

Avoiding Lawsuits for Injury

It is true that a pothole can often grow for a while before it is large enough to damage a car. But your customers and employees can trip over holes a lot smaller. Every time someone stumbles they risk serious injury.

Your enterprise is required to provide a certain level of safety for visitors. Bodily harm due to uneven, broken pavement can damage your reputation and cost your business money.

The Weather Is Right

Weather extremes can be a big problem for your concrete. The summer heat causes your concrete to expand and buckle. This buckling effect is one cause of initial lot damage. Cracks often form where the concrete is unable to expand further.

Winter’s cold weather can have the opposite impact, although not to the same extent. Winter also adds salt and water erosion, which can make the holes worse.

Autumn is the perfect time to repair damaged concrete. The weather is more moderate, giving the ground time to settle.

It Makes Good Business Sense

Why take the risk of causing injuries or damaging equipment? Why wait until small holes in the pavement become huge eyesores? You owe it to your investment to keep your property in the best condition. Contact a concrete repair specialist today, while the problem is still manageable.

By admin Asphalt Paving • • • • 0 Comments

Why Does New Construction Need Asphalt Paving?

First off, what is asphalt? Asphalt is an aggregate of gravel, stone, sand, and other materials bound together by asphalt cement. According to the experts of The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), along with many others, there are a number of qualities of asphalt which make seeing your asphalt contractor the best choice for new construction of all types.

Durability

The smoothness of the surface helps give a roadway a longer life span, because it reduces friction from the tires that roll across it. It also makes asphalt a more efficient material to pave with, because it needs replacement less often. If properly maintained, an asphalt surface can last 25 years or longer.

Ease of Repair

While asphalt lasts a very long time, when it does need replacement or repair, that repair is comparatively easy and quick to do. For example, roadways can be paved a lane at a time by the asphalt contractor, reducing inconvenience to drivers and saving money for taxpayers.

Safety

Asphalt produces a smooth, even surface for activities such as driving. This, along with these other factors, make it the surface of first choice for roadways, parking lots, paved paths, driveways, and many other applications. The smooth surface gives better traction and contact for tires of all sorts, making it safer to drive on.

Recyclable

Asphalt is the perfect “green” paving material choice for use by the asphalt contractor. It is 100% recyclable and reusable. NAPA estimates that 100 million tons of asphalt are recycled or reused each year. And since much of asphalt used is reclaimed, that means the cost is less susceptible to market fluctuations.

Environmentally Friendly

The combination of recyclability and permanence as a resource makes asphalt paving one of the most environmentally friendly products there is. Another statistic from the NAPA: The asphalt emissions since 1970 have decreased by 97%, while asphalt production, during the same period, has increased by 250%. The smoothness of the surface reduces automobile emissions as well. Porous asphalt is often used for stormwater management. Asphalt is also utilized to line and cap landfills.

Economical

Almost all of the factors listed above mean that asphalt paving is a more economical substance to pave roadways, driveways, parking lots, or any other area where a smooth surface is desired. Asphalt lasts longer, so is replaced less often. This makes it less expensive. When it is replaced, the fact that much of it is often made from recyclable materials makes it less susceptible to current market conditions.

The Best Surface

To sum it all up, numerous qualities of asphalt paving make it the best surface for roadways, driveways, parking lots, and almost any other paved area. Certainly, the fact that it is economical should interest anybody who is planning any type of paving job. So should its durability, which figures into it being cost efficient as well. Also, there’s the fact that asphalt simply makes a great surface for vehicles to drive on. Its smoothness produces better gas mileage and your tires make better contact, which means it’s safer. And, not only does asphalt need repair less often than other materials, it is easy, inexpensive, and convenient to repair when the need does arise. Asphalt is also usually 100% recyclable. All these advantages mean your asphalt contractor can do the job better than anyone else, usually at lower cost, and it’s beneficial for the planet as well.

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Repair Denver’s Harsh Winter Damage with Asphalt Repair

People from Colorado will undoubtedly tell you that while winters in the Rocky Mountains are no-nonsense, winter in Denver gets terrible. Even though the snow is considerable, the comparatively moderate winter is excellent for outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, and other outdoor recreation. Spring skiing and fuzzy snow aside, winter weather does not have to be much harsh to cause asphalt damage.

Moisture and cold can cause damage to concrete and asphalt structures – if you take long to safeguard your asphalt, it will get harder to repair it. Thankfully, several Colorado asphalt repair professionals can help you in protecting your asphalt from the harsh winter damage.

How Does Extreme Weather Affect Asphalt?

Asphalt is prone to the impacts of water damage resulting from extreme weather conditions, which means tons of snow and freezing temperatures in Denver. Luckily, with preventive measures and routine maintenance from Denver asphalt repair professionals, you can make sure that your asphalt remains strong as the mountain rocks.

Effects of Cold & Moisture on Asphalt

When water from ice and snow filter through the porous surface of your asphalt, it gradually erodes the structural purity of the asphalt. However, the actual damage happens when the outside temperatures go below the freezing point. When water freezes, it expands. The moisture contained in asphalt only requires a single freezing day to crack due to the strain of the expanding ice and water.

Effects of UV Rays on Asphalt

Denver city is one mile high, and that means that asphalt in Denver is nearer to the sun and the destructive effects associated with it. UV rays accelerate the rate of surface degradation, which forms small waves and soft spots across the surface of your asphalt.

Daily use and UV rays make the components that join asphalt together weak, which might lead to the fading of the black color of asphalt into a dull gray. Sealcoating cracks are the best method of protecting your asphalt from UV rays and heat whenever damage occurs and routine preventive maintenance.

How to Prevent and Repair Erosion & Damage

With some advice about paving and preventive maintenance from professionals, you can protect your asphalt from the harsh winter weather damage effects.

Repairing Storm Basins

Storm basins are constructed to hold and restrain water from the surface of your asphalt before accumulating to cause damage. But, it is not unusual for runoff from snow and a torrential downpour to move the storm basin from its designated position.

If you see water accumulating in places, it shouldn’t be or cracks in your storm basin, contact a Denver Asphalt repair professional right away. Remember that an inch of water can cause damage to thousands of dollars.

Sealcoating

It is a method used to protect asphalt from gas and oil spills. Sealcoating also prevents the spread of cracks, thus enhancing the artistic taste of the asphalt surface and increasing the durability of the asphalt construction.

Crack Sealing

Crack sealing your asphalt increases the durability of your structure by preventing debris and water from accumulating in the cracks on the surface of your asphalt.

Protect Your Asphalt from Harsh Winter Damage

Hiring professional paving contractors in Denver is the best way to protect your asphalt from the damaging effects of the harsh winter weather. From big business projects to basic repair and maintenance, they provide the best paving solutions in Denver. So, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from an expert if you notice any asphalt damage to your structure.

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Asphalt Pavement vs Concrete Pavement

Although the most obvious difference between asphalt pavement and concrete pavement is the appearance, there are many more differences that you may not notice at first sight. When deciding between the two surfaces, appearance is only one of the many factors to consider; continue reading to learn about the five main differences between asphalt and concrete: cost, lifespan, upkeep, sensitivity to temperature, and ease of repair.

Cost

When deciding between asphalt and concrete driveways, price is often the first consideration. Asphalt is typically cheaper, running $2-$5 per square foot on average. Concrete prices begin around $3-$9 per square foot. Many people who choose concrete driveways opt for customized designs, which can drive the price even higher.

Lifespan

While concrete may cost more initially, it has an average lifespan of about 30, and even up to 40 years, compared to an average lifespan of about 20 years for asphalt. This makes costs more comparable when thinking about the long term. This is something to consider when deciding between the two. If you will be in your home for 30-40 years, concrete may actually be more cost effective in the long run. Regardless of the pavement type, both require strategies for upkeep.

Upkeep

In order to keep asphalt pavement functioning to its highest potential, it needs to be re-sealed every few years. For asphalt pavement, sealing is strictly for function, and not for appearance, as the dark color of asphalt naturally hides stains and spills.

Concrete does not require as much upkeep, but it is more likely to stain or fade over time, so in order to maintain the appearance of concrete pavement, it can also be sealed.

Sensitivity to Temperature

If you’ve ever flown from north to south or vice versa, you’ve probably noticed that the majority of the driveways in the north are asphalt, while the majority of driveways in the south are concrete. This is because of how well each material withstands and reacts to temperature.

In extreme heat, asphalt can become gooey and even start to melt, and when it gets cold, it becomes much harder and more brittle. When asphalt continually goes through these temperature fluctuations, it is much more likely to crack.

Concrete, on the other hand, has a tendency to crack and buckle in extreme cold. Concrete also tends to be more popular in warmer climates because it doesn’t retain heat like asphalt does.

Ease of Repair

Even when you do everything you can to properly maintain a pavement surface, damages may still happen. When asphalt cracks or develops holes, it can be filled and sealed relatively easily. Because of the dark color, repairs are not very noticeable.

When repairing cracks in concrete, the repairs can be extremely obvious. Often, when there is a crack in concrete asphalt, the decision is made to replace the entire surface, rather than trying to repair and match the existing surface.

Conclusion

If you’re trying to decide between asphalt and concrete pavement, be sure to thoroughly research and think about your options. Your budget and the climate in which you live might be two of the biggest factors to take into consideration.

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Asphalt Repairs Your Parking Lot May Need This Spring in Colorado

Has your asphalt driveway or parking lot gotten hammered this winter? You aren’t alone. However, with the right products and a few DIY skills, you may be able to repair the damage and prevent future issues.

Prevention Tips

The number one repair tip is to prevent damage before it starts. Some ideas here include:

  • Repair small cracks in the fall so they won’t worsen over the winter.
  • Clear debris away so it doesn’t scratch up the asphalt.
  • In colder months, regularly shoveling snow to minimize pools of standing water.

Repair Tips

When it comes to pavement, it’s always better to tackle problems sooner rather than later. Tiny cracks can become deep crags and potholes faster than you think. Here are four problems and what to do about them:

Is Your Asphalt Cracked?

There are several products you can get from local home repair centers for fixing asphalt cracks. Look for a two part kit that includes melt-in filler and cover mix that is troweled in. Follow the instructions on the box, but in general you will:

  1. Clean the cracked area well so the filler will adhere.
  2. Press the filler into place.
  3. Melt it in with a blowtorch.
  4. Trowel on a patch.
  5. Let it cure for a full 24 hours.  Rain will ruin the job.

Are There Pits in the Asphalt?

If you notice these where cars are parked, they could be from leaked motor oil and coolants. Smaller pits can be repaired with a patch in a similar process as with cracked asphalt. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to clear the oil out first. Use a product designed to cut oil, prime the area with oil stain primer, and then patch as above. If you still notice shallow pits, make a second pass with the patching to create a flat, sealed surface.

Do You Have Potholes?

These large pits can damage both ankles and vehicles, and if left untreated they will continue to grow. However, if you’re up for another trip to the hardware store, these are straightforward to patch. Get a bagged product and follow the instructions. The general procedure is:

  1. Clear the pothole of bigger chunks of debris
  2. Scoop or pour about two inches of asphalt patch into the hole.
  3. Use a shovel, tamping tool, or the blunt end of a firewood log to compact the material. The more compact you can get it, the better.
  4. Repeat steps 2-3 in two inch increments until it’s level.
  5. Add a small crown. This will compensate for the patch settling over time.
  6. Cure and seal.

Are There a Mix of Problems? Do You See Rippling or Sagging Asphalt?

If your driveway has more minor issues than you can easily count, it may be time for a full resurfacing. On the other hand, if you notice large slumped areas or ripples, that’s a worrying sign of possible damage to the surface under the asphalt. In both cases you’re looking at a big job to fix the situation.

It’s probably time to walk past your garage of tools and patch kits and head straight to your phone. Call in the pros. A professional repair company will know how to handle your damaged asphalt in a fast, efficient way and get things fixed right the first time around.