Asphalt is designed to be tough, serving for decades as an effective, reliable, and low-cost parking and driving surface. Unfortunately, all asphalt goes through stages of wear and tear, much of which varies dramatically based on the seasonal conditions we experience. 

This is especially true in the height of summer here in Michigan, with scorching hot weather, blue skies, and dry conditions that all contribute to the following areas of damage:

Fading Line Striping

Like asphalt, parking lot striping is designed to be weather resistant and serviceable year-round. Unfortunately, the dual impact of high heat with direct sunlight and UV exposure will tend to wear down and fade your parking stripes and directional illustrations, leading to unsafe lot conditions.

Solution: Have your striping refreshed as needed, especially after sealcoating or other major repair work.

Dried-Out, Weakened Pavement

UV light and high heat will also break down and dry out asphalt binding agents, which leaves the remaining surface brittle and prone to breakage. With less material flexibility, the asphalt is more likely to crack under pressure, which accelerates overall wear and tear and invites serious water infiltration. 

Solution: The best way to protect your parking lot from summer conditions is to invest in asphalt sealcoating. Applied every 2 to 3 years, the asphalt sealer forms a protective layer and keeps the true asphalt surface below strong, fresh, and flexible.

Heat Expansion

Just like other materials, asphalt contracts under cold conditions and expands when it gets warm out. And when it gets really, really hot this expansion can cause issues. Pavement edges may curl, cracks may be pulled farther apart, or new cracks may form due to the pavement motion. 

Solution: Unfortunately, heat happens and air conditioning the pavement isn’t an option. Any cracks, potholes, or other evidences of summer heat damage should be repaired as temperatures fall towards autumn, but before snow and freezing temperatures arrive. 

West Michigan’s Asphalt Pavement Experts

No matter the season, asphalt wear and tear is normal and can be solved with the proper maintenance schedule and attention. Stripe A Lot is a family-owned West Michigan company providing exceptional asphalt paving and repair services, including patching, sealcoating, crack repairs, asphalt striping, new asphalt paving, and more. 

Contact us today for high quality paving service in Holland, MI!