How to Extend the Life of Your Parking Lot

No matter if we talk about physical health, car performance, or even relationships, maintenance is essential for reducing the need of repair. Now, some people think the two terms—maintenance and repair—are interchangeable, but this isn’t the case. Let’s take a quick look at the key distinctions between the two, and then see how they relate in extending the life of your parking lot.

A repair is typically partial in nature—think about how surgery is performed on a specific body part, and not the entire body—and intended to restore something back to its original state (or close to it). A great example of this is fixing a pothole. We obviously will not recommend completely resurfacing your lot if there is only a single pothole that needs to be filled.

It is important to note that repairs become necessary when a problem in the asphalt creates a liability and can potentially cause damage.

Maintenance, on the other hand, is regularly-scheduled and intended to prevent deterioration and future damages. In the same way that maintaining your body with an exercise routine can extend your own life, regular maintenance—including sealcoating, crack filling, etc.—can extend the life of your parking lot. An additional benefit to regular lot maintenance is that it simply makes your property look better. More importantly, though, you can save a lot of money by maintaining the lot, instead of having to repair it!

With that in mind, here are a few steps you can take to extend the life span of your commercial parking lot and protect your investment:

1. Manage the Load on the Asphalt. Heavy commercial vehicles cause damage to asphalt lots. Loading docks and large trash containers should be located in areas that do not require these heavy vehicles to cross or park, especially on lots designed for cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs.
2. Fix Obvious Drainage Problems. Standing water will eventually seep into the asphalt. This can affect the base by creating cracks, which—when left unaddressed—eventually become potholes. Don’t let water wreak havoc on your lot and cause unnecessary expenses for you. Instead, do a quick inspection after a heavy rain to make sure the asphalt has good drainage.
3. Sealcoat the Asphalt. Not only does sealcoating your commercial parking lot protect it from the elements – it also maintains a “like new” appearance for a longer time than non-coated lots. When applied properly by professionals like those on our team, a good quality coat will last for several years.
4. Fill Cracks Promptly. As noted when talking about standing water, small cracks will get larger over time. As they do, it allows more water to compromise the base of your lot. In turn, this allows the cracks to become even bigger, and the cycle continues to repeat itself. That results in damage that is more expensive to repair. It is normal to see small cracks develop, but keep in mind they should be repaired as soon as possible.
5. Clean Regularly. Cleaning your lot on a regular basis not only improves its appearance, it also helps prevent damage that can be caused by debris and makes it easier to observe any crack or drain issues that need to be addressed. Having your lot swept and pressure-washed on an established schedule will go a long way toward extending the life of your parking lot.

The best way to develop a detailed, preventative plan to maintain your lot, reduce costs, and add value over the long term is to team up with Stripe A Lot for comprehensive asphalt services.

Our asphalt experts are committed to protecting your property investment and ensuring you will save as much money as possible over the life of your lot. Give us a call at 1-800-BLACKTOP or 616-772-2559 and we can discuss your asphalt needs and provide you with a FREE ESTIMATE. Contact us today!