It would be a very rare individual who enjoyed encountering an unexpected expense, especially if it was a major one. Government agencies and businesses of all types and sizes spend a great deal of time developing realistic budgets that will give as accurate a picture as possible of revenue, expenditures, and profit or loss. Although an asphalt parking lot is more economical to rebuild than one constructed of concrete, you would probably prefer to defer that cost for as long as you can. The key to avoiding unwelcome surprises is to be vigilant about your parking lot repairs and maintenance. You may think that it is impossible to forecast exactly how much money you should budget for these services, but you will find that it is easier than you believe.
Where Should I Start With My Budget for Repairing and Maintaining My Parking Lot?
You need to get to know your parking lot. Collect any documentation you have that can tell you when the parking lot was built, the repairs that have been made to it, and the maintenance procedures that have been performed on it. Next, walk around your parking lot, taking notes of issues as you go. You might also want to take some pictures. Note the color of the pavement, any potholes or cracks, the condition of your markings and signs, and any stains left by automotive fluids or debris. Armed with this information, contact a reliable asphalt contractor to inspect your parking lot and recommend an appropriate plan. If possible, accompany the contractor during the inspection so that you can ask questions as you go. To help you create an accurate budget, ask your contractor to recommend a schedule for repairing cracks and potholes, sealcoating, pavement marking, parking lot cleaning, and asphalt resurfacing. Schedules can vary, but numerous studies have provided the average intervals for these procedures.
How Often Should I Repair Cracks and Potholes in My Asphalt Parking Lot?
Any pavement break that allows water to enter should be repaired as soon as possible. Ideally, you should ask your contractor to fill or seal cracks every autumn and every spring if your pavement is more than five years old. Potholes should be repaired immediately to protect your pavement’s structural integrity and reduce your potential liability. It is also essential to have any needed repairs completed prior to sealcoating.
How Often Will My Parking Lot Need Sealcoating?
Typically, parking lots should be sealed every two years. However, depending on the traffic your parking lot receives, your sealcoating could last for three or more years, or you might need to touch up high-wear areas annually.
How Often Should I Stripe My Parking Lot?
Since sealant obliterates the existing paint, you will need to apply new stripes and pavement markings after sealcoating. You should stripe and mark your parking lot once the paint loses more than 25% of its original vibrancy, or you might want to do it sooner if the markings are damaged by a snowplow, chemicals, or vehicles. On average, painted markings have a useful life of around two years.
How Often Should I Clean My Parking Lot?
It is a good idea to have your parking lot swept weekly to remove trash and debris. Automotive fluids should be thoroughly cleaned every six months; you may be able to do this yourself, but it can be physically demanding.
How Often Should I Resurface My Parking Lot?
Resurfacing, also known as installing an asphalt overlay, is a cost-effective way to obtain the serviceability and aesthetic properties of a new pavement at a much lower cost than a removal and replacement. Most parking lots need to be completely resurfaced every 12 to 15 years. However, you could need a partial overlay every 10 years if you have high-traffic areas that have an accelerated wear pattern.
Royal Pavement Solutions Can Help You Care for Your Parking Lot
We are committed to helping our customers obtain the longest, healthiest lives for their asphalt pavements. Our services include crack filling, sealcoating, pothole repairs, overlays, milling, and parking lot striping. We also offer site work and concrete work. Our highly trained and well-experienced team members are committed to delivering exceptional results on every job. If you would like a free consultation and quote, you can make your request online by filling out the form. If you would like to speak with a knowledgeable, helpful team member, you can call 844-777-7924.
