As customers pull up to your commercial property, they’ll first encounter the parking lot. Therefore, the condition of this paved surface will help them form their first impression. By learning when the average parking lot needs to be replaced and how you can maximize its life span, you can take better care of your property as a whole. Use the following information about asphalt maintenance to your advantage.

How Long Should a Parking Lot Last?

On average, a freshly paved asphalt parking lot will last anywhere from 15 to 25 years. However, the actual life span of your parking lot may vary, depending on your business, location, and customers.

Which Factors Cause Damage?

Weather patterns and temperature fluctuations can speed up the deterioration of your asphalt parking lot. In extreme heat, the substance can get soft and sticky, making it vulnerable to dents and impressions from heavy loads.

Rain can seep into small cracks in the asphalt, which will widen fissures or erode the supportive sub-layers. If the elements have worn away the sub-surface layers beneath the parking lot, the heavy traffic may cause the top layers of asphalt to collapse, resulting in potholes. The type of traffic that moves through the lot will affect this issue. For example, a restaurant lot may only see small to mid-sized passenger vehicles, while one at a home improvement store may see large, heavy trucks.

How Can I Practice Asphalt Maintenance?

If you notice cracks developing in your asphalt parking lot, contact a paving contractor to fill them while they’re still shallow. If the damage is widespread, you may need to have the entire lot resurfaced. Once cracks descend deeper into the pavement, repaving may be necessary. Prevent this snowball effect by having your parking lot professionally sealed every two years, regardless of whether there are cracks.

To learn more about proper asphalt maintenance, contact Peterson Bros. Construction, Inc. on Oahu, HI. They’ll help you care for your business’s parking lot, ensuring it makes a positive impression on your customers. In addition to providing high-quality asphalt work, they’ll also apply a protective sealcoating to help your parking space last for years. View their services online, or call (808) 679-9522 to request a free estimate.