Maintaining your parking lot during the winter can often mean tirelessly removing snow, windblown debris, or gravel. When spring arrives, your mind is far from spending more time inspecting your pavement. However, that is exactly what you can do to save money and extend the life of your pavement.
Cold weather, chemicals and salts all take their toll on the asphalt pavement; and just like other construction materials, your parking lot requires regular maintenance. Without regular upkeep, the pavement material of your parking lot can begin to disintegrate. Cold winter weather and harsh summer suns destroy the chemical makeup of the asphalt. No one wants to think about the time and expense of replacing a worn-out parking lot, so here are a few things you can do to keep the blacktop structurally sound longer:
Power washing
– A regular yearly power washing with a pressurized water system can not only remove harsh winter salts, but it can extend the asphalt’s life.
Crack filling – Find cracks and have them professionally filled. This is your first line of defense against deterioration and crumbling. By filling cracks, there are no holes for water seepage to spread and erode the soil beneath.
Resurfacing
– Although not a yearly maintenance, there are times when low areas appear and must be leveled to keep the integrity of the parking lot. This also allows for proper drainage, because standing water can cause serious damage to asphalt.
Seal-coating
– This is one of the most important steps you can take in preventing further damage to the paving material of your parking lot. The sealant is applied as a surface coating that blocks asphalt pores. Water, oil, chemicals, and gas are prevented from penetrating the surface, and the smooth surface allows for easier cleaning. It also becomes more flexible.
Preventative maintenance can save you time and money by extending the life of your asphalt parking lot. To learn more about how NVM Paving & Concrete can help you extend the life of your parking lot, give us a call today – (703) 372-9335.
