Asphalt is typically known for its durability and strength when faced with harsh conditions. These are only a few of the reasons why it is used for road, parking lot, and walkway applications by business owners, commercial property owners, government projects, and many other organizations.
Just like everything else, especially items kept outside, asphalt is susceptible to threats that will cause it to deteriorate and be damaged. Regardless of professional installation, Mother Nature can have drastic effects on your asphalt. We’ve compiled the top four threats to your asphalt and what you can do about it to help you before a much larger issue shows itself.
1. UV Rays
Just like your skin, sunlight can cause problems with your asphalt pavement. Intense UV rays paired with excessive sunshine will cause the asphalt to deteriorate more quickly. When UV rays hit the pavement, they will weaken the binder. These oils and other components will eventually make the parking lot fade to a lighter gray color. The longer the pavement is exposed, the more damage will occur. Water will find its way below the surface, causing significant damage to the pavement and will likely need to be replaced.
2. Chemicals
Vehicles release fluids all the time in your parking lot. Gas, oil, antifreeze, washer fluid, and more are frequently released. While it might not seem like an urgent matter to instantly clean it up, these fluids can easily soak into the asphalt when left to sit. They will start to eat away the asphalt material and decay or decomposition will occur in that particular space. You will notice cracking and/or crumbling and it is a sign that your pavement has had chemical spillage on it.
If you catch the chemical as soon as it has been spilled, you can neutralize it and have it properly cleaned before it starts to deteriorate.
3. Tree Roots
If your parking lot does not have any trees anywhere near it, you can skip this section. However, if you do have a tree or two in or very close, you will want to watch for tree roots growing under your asphalt. Tree roots will grow from under the pavement and create tripping and driving hazards. If you notice a tree starting to grow roots on the edge of your parking lot, you will want to act quickly before they grow any further. You can either cut small roots, install a root barrier, or contact a professional arborist for their professional opinion.
4. Water
It is nearly impossible to completely shield your parking lot from water penetration. Over time, water will find its way below the surface of your asphalt and cause it to break down. When water freezes and then thaws, it will cause potholes and large cracking on the surface. The more these are left untouched, the more damage water will cause to your asphalt. Annual inspection and maintenance can help prevent water damage.
Preventative Maintenance is Key
One of the best things you can do for your asphalt parking lot is to have it sealcoated every 2-3 years. Doing so will add an essential barrier to help protect the pavement from these harmful threats. During sealcoating, your contractor might also recommend crack filling, pothole repair, and additional work that will help extend the life of your asphalt.
If you are located in or around the Lake Norman area and in need of a professional asphalt maintenance company, contact Toste Construction today. Our team will review your parking lot and provide you with a FREE quote for all necessary work. We offer nearly three decades of experience and are available to work on parking areas of every size.
Toste Construction specializes in sealcoating and crack filling to ensure you and your customers have a smooth surface to drive on. We are your Mooresville asphalt and pavement maintenance company. Our services include asphalt sealcoating, striping, patching, pothole repair and crack filling for both residential and commercial projects throughout western North Carolina.