First impressions and curb appeal are crucial for attracting customers. This means that it's more important than ever to maintain the exterior of your business. This includes budgeting for asphalt parking lot paving.
What does the appearance of your parking lot say about your business? Is it clean and free of cracks and potholes, or does it need some repairs?
An asphalt parking lot is easy to maintain if you do a little research up front.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions we get about asphalt parking lot paving.
What are the Benefits of Asphalt?
There are many different to pave your parking lot. Asphalt is very durable and will last many years through high volume traffic. Asphalt also costs less to install than other alternatives, and it’s even recyclable!
How Long Do Asphalt Parking Lots Last?
Your parking lot may last between 20 and 30 years with proper maintenance.
Factors that can affect a parking lot’s life include:
- Weather conditions
- Quality of installation
- Stability of the sub-grade
- Drainage plan
- Usage and traffic
Be sure to schedule regular preventive maintenance to keep your surface long-lasting.
When Should I Install an Asphalt Parking Lot?
We can usually install year-round if the temperature and ground conditions permit. Paving operations can be weather-dependent due to moisture and freezing of the ground. If it's raining or snowing, we'll reschedule the project to a drier, warmer day.
What Maintenance Will My Parking Lot Need?
Over the years, you may need to repair potholes, seal cracks, or paint fresh line striping. We also recommend that you sealcoat your asphalt parking lot as a preventive measure. Sealcoating protects asphalt from UV rays, precipitation, and automobile fluids.
It’s important that you address cracks right away. That's because they provide a way for water to seep below the surface of the asphalt. Over time, the water compromises the integrity of the asphalt and causes potholes to form.
You should also . It’s a liability to have an uneven surface in your asphalt parking lot. The good news is that we're able to patch over potholes to create a smooth surface.
Should I Sealcoat My Parking Lot?
In general, we recommend sealcoating your parking lot. Sealcoating is a thin layer that we apply onto your paved surface.
The sealer protects asphalt from damage caused by rain, snow, UV rays, and fluids from vehicles. Your lot should be re-sealed every few years to slow down the deterioration process.
Learn More: Pros and Cons of Asphalt Sealcoating →
When Should I Resurface My Parking Lot?
You may need to resurface your parking lot if the surface is in poor condition but the base is stable.
We can test the condition of your parking lot to see what type of shape it is in.
How Soon Can I Start Using My New Parking Lot?
It’s important that your parking lot has time to completely cure after paving. There should not be any foot or vehicle traffic on your new parking lot for at least 24 hours.
When Should I Re-Stripe My Parking Lot?
You should re-stripe your parking lot as soon as the lines begin to fade. Otherwise, your visitors may have difficulty finding parking spaces.
Also, keep in mind that people tend to park farther apart when they can't see any line striping. This may reduce the number of usable parking spaces in your lot.
What are the Advantages of Asphalt Over Concrete?
Asphalt is more cost-efficient than concrete and is less expensive to repair. Unlike concrete, we're also able to resurface asphalt as long as the foundation is stable.
Request a Free Estimate
As an asphalt contractor serving Grand Rapids, MI, we'd be more than happy to help you maintain the function and appearance of your parking lot. To request a free estimate, call A-1 Asphalt at (800) 871-4401.
This blog post has been updated.