Do you want to make the most out of your asphalt paving investment?
The fact is that most business owners don’t realize that asphalt pavement can last up to 25 years with proper maintenance. However, in the absence of maintenance, they end up having to deal with extensive and costly repairs and early replacement of their asphalt.
The good news is…
Maintaining your asphalt is not a difficult task to do. It only requires that you know what to do and when to do it.
In this article, we will be exploring:
- The Importance of Asphalt Maintenance For Your Business
- The 5 Essential Maintenance Tips
- The Best Asphalt Companies In Denver
- The Common Mistakes to Avoid
The Importance of Asphalt Maintenance For Your Business
The fact of the matter is that asphalt paving services for business properties are never a ‘one and done’ type of deal. Quality asphalt paving services will help ensure that your parking lots and driveways are safe for your employees and your customers.
According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association, 43% of the major roads in the U.S are in mediocre or poor condition. This is often as a result of a lack of the need for maintenance. Most private properties are not left out of this percentage, especially when owners ignore maintenance.
If you are looking for an asphalt contractor to help with the maintenance of your commercial property, understanding these principles will put you in a position to make an informed decision. The right asphalt paving services could add years of service to the life of your pavement.
But why does asphalt maintenance matter for your business?
- Customer perception. A faded and cracked parking lot will give the wrong impression of your business to your customers. The first impression matters a lot and a lot of your customers often get their first impression from the pavement.
- Safety concerns. Potholes and cracks are a potential trip hazard for anyone. This gives rise to possible lawsuits and insurance claims.
- Cost savings. Preventive maintenance only costs a few pennies. Smart business owners understand this point.
The 5 Essential Maintenance Tips
The following are the 5 proven strategies that can help your asphalt to last longer. They are proven to work and they play a significant role in helping to maintain your investment.
Sealcoating
Sealcoating is the most important maintenance task that needs to be done for asphalt pavement.
Sealcoating is like sunscreen for your parking lot. It helps in providing protection for your pavement against UV rays, water, oil spillages, and general deterioration. A fresh seal coat also gives your pavement the rich black look.
The question now is when is the right time to sealcoat?
- First application: 6 to 12 months after installation
- Reapplication: Every 2 to 3 years
The key here is timing. You don’t want to do this too early or late. If you do it too early, you end up damaging your fresh asphalt. When you do it too late, you will already have lost some of your protection.
Crack Sealing
One thing about cracks is that small cracks turn into a major problem in a short time.
As soon as water finds its way into the small cracks on your asphalt pavement and gets underneath it, it gets trapped. When the temperature drops, that water will freeze and this will cause the crack to expand. This will, in turn, lead to a large crack and eventually, potholes.
This is why you should seal those cracks as soon as they appear.
Regular Inspection
You can only repair the crack that you can see.
To be able to identify the cracks, you will need to take a walk on your property and look out for these signs.
Regular inspection, this will help you save some money because you will be able to detect and repair them as soon as you see them.
Parking lots, driveways and sidewalks, especially in winter and other harsh seasons, some property owners do monthly inspection walks during this season.
Proper Drainage
Water is the worst enemy of asphalt paving.
The damage of water starts when it finds its way to the surface of the asphalt and it is pooling there. This will, in turn, penetrate slowly into the pavement and this will cause the weakening of the base layers. This will, in turn, lead to structural failure of the pavement from underneath.
Good drainage system, you should have a good drainage system that will help to move the water from the surface of the pavement.
You should, however, make sure that your drainage channel and catch basins are regularly checked and debris that may block the water is cleared.
Timely Repair
Don’t put off repairs
According to Alpha Paving Industries, asphalt that is not well-maintained will have lost about 45% of its structural integrity after 20 years.
You will have to make sure that you do the small repairs as soon as they appear. This is because, if you do this, it will help in preventing major reconstruction some years down the line.
The Best Asphalt Companies In Denver
Are you looking for the best asphalt paving companies in Denver, Colorado?
In case you are looking for the best companies to provide asphalt paving services in the Denver area, you are in luck because we have provided the following companies:
- Asphalt Coatings Company: The most-preferred asphalt paving company in the Denver area. They provide both commercial and residential services. They are well known for the quality of work and customer service.
- Colorado Pavement Solutions: Transparent pricing and expert solutions. They provide commercial services to clients in the Denver Metro area.
- Blacktop Plus: A family-owned company that has been in the industry for several years. The services they provide include driveways, parking lots, repair, sealcoating, and striping in Denver and the surrounding areas.
- Pro Grade Asphalt: Three generations of paving experience. They provide affordable asphalt paving services while maintaining a high quality.
- M5 Paving: This company specializes in the provision of services for commercial properties and HOA communities. They also provide annual services to maintain the safety and looks of your pavement.
- Premier Asphalt & Concrete Solutions: This is a trusted contractor who provide professional services at affordable costs. This company’s team also takes time to look at every detail of the project.
- Rose Paving: This is a nationwide company with their branch located in Denver. They specialize mainly in the commercial parking lot management and maintenance with over 50 years in the industry.
The Common Mistakes To Avoid
Even the well-meaning property owners make this mistake
- Waiting too long between seal coats. Three years is the absolute maximum that you should be waiting. If you do so, then you will be exposing your pavement to damage.
- Ignoring small cracks. That little crack you see today will become a pothole very soon. Seal it immediately it appears.
- DIY repairs on major damage. Do not do this. Small crack filling can be done by the owner of the house. Anything that is bigger than that needs professional attention.
- Opting for the cheapest contractor. By so doing, there is a high tendency that some corners are likely to be cut. Quality asphalt paving services are not cheap when compared with the others. It cost more but it will help in saving some money for you.
- Skipping the base preparation. Quality installation starts below the surface. If your foundation is weak, then you will be left with no choice but to wait for it to fail. This is no matter how great your asphalt looks.
Wrapping It All Up
Maximizing asphalt paving longevity, it all boils down to a consistent maintenance schedule.
Let me quickly recap on what we have been able to discuss:
- Sealcoat every 2 to 3 years
- Seal cracks as they appear
- Inspect regularly and fix issues before they get worse
- Ensure you have a proper drainage system in place
- Make repairs immediately the issues are detected
Following these practices will help your asphalt to last you 15 years to 25 years and beyond. This will help you to enjoy an extra ten years of service from your investment.
The choice is yours, to either invest a few to save in the future or spend a lot to replace. Smart business owners will always choose the former.
