A clean and functional parking lot can create a convenient place for customers to park their cars while they visit your business, but unfortunately, asphalt can degrade over time just like any other building material. However, by making a few changes to your asphalt maintenance routine, you may be able to prevent problems. Here are a few important do’s and don’ts for parking lot asphalt maintenance.

Do:

Invest in routine repairs.

Often, business owners don’t worry about asphalt maintenance until the lot looks visibly damaged. However, ignoring small problems can pave the way for larger issues, such as wide cracks, potholes, and degrading asphalt. Make routine repairs such as crack and pothole filling a priority, and check the lot regularly for issues.

Protect asphalt with sealcoating.

Water, UV light, and even motor oil can damage the binder that holds asphalt together, leading to a crumbly, unstable parking lot surface. However, sealcoating is a protective coating that can be applied to the surface of asphalt, restoring the dark look of your lot while also protecting the asphalt from foreign substances.

Don’t:

Allow heavy equipment onto your asphalt.

Heavy trucks or construction equipment can damage asphalt quickly since roadways and parking lots are only rated to withstand certain loads. To keep your parking lot strong and damage-free, don’t allow heavy trucks or construction equipment to drive or park in your parking lot. Many businesses prevent this issue by installing height restriction signs near entrances.

Use deicing agents.

While it might seem logical to do everything you can to prevent snow and ice buildup on your parking lot, deicing chemicals can actually damage asphalt binders, compromising the strength of your parking lot. Instead, focus on gentle physical snow and ice removal.

Whether your parking lot needs urgent asphalt maintenance or you are thinking about replacing the entire surface, the team at Decca Paving is ready to help. As a licensed and insured company that has been offering superior asphalt services since 2001, they are committed to creating strong, stable, and attractive roadways, driveways, parking lots, and paths in Rochester, NY. For a free estimate, send them a message online or call their office at (585) 279-0948.