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NVM Paving & Concrete, Inc.

Northern Virginia Paving Company

asphalt cracks

How a Concrete Parking Lot Benefits Your Commercial Property

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How a Concrete Parking Lot Benefits Your Commercial Property

A concrete parking lot may sound like the least exciting thing on the planet, but it’s integral to the success of your business. Don’t underestimate how much a customer parking lot can influence people’s first impressions. Within seven seconds, they’ll make a judgment about the legitimacy and professionalism of your business. Still not convinced? Keep reading to find out how a concrete parking lot can benefit your commercial property.

It Looks Professional

As mentioned above, your customer parking lot says a lot about your business. 

Your parking lot should not be riddled with potholes, bumpy spots, or cracks. The parking lanes should be freshly painted and easily identifiable. 

Beyond that, pay attention to the finer details. Ask yourself these questions about your concrete parking lot:

  • Is it easy to access from the road?
  • Are there identifiable arrows or signs that indicate “In” and “Out” lanes?
  • Are the parking spaces big enough?
  • Is there sufficient space to back out of parking spaces?
  • Do you have any handicap spaces?
  • When applicable, do you have enough cart returns?

If you’re a small business on a strip with other businesses, maybe your parking options are limited. If so, consider staking your claim on a few spots with “Customer Only” signs.

It Keeps Everyone Safe

Parking lot safety may not be the first thing on your mind when it comes to this topic, but you can’t ignore it. Think of all the potential accidents that could occur in a poorly-designed parking lot.

Two cars could drive into one another because the space between parking lots is too narrow. One car could back into another while reversing out of a space. Cars entering or exiting the parking lot might not yield to traffic.

These are only a few examples of possible disasters. In fact, twenty percent of car accidents happen in parking lots. 

Don’t forget to include good lighting and a surveillance system in your parking lot safety plan. You don’t want thieves ransacking your customers’ cars.

It Prevents Infestations

If you neglect parking lot maintenance, you may run into a pest or rodent problem. Your custodial team should regularly change out garbage cans and pick up trash in the parking lot.

Otherwise, these pests may find a way inside.

It’s Eco-Friendly

If you have a concrete parking lot, you’re doing the environment a favor. This material is completely recyclable and saves us from dipping into gas, water, and oil resources. 

Installing concrete is easier, and it will last years longer than asphalt. Lastly, a concrete parking lot will reflect light, keeping the surface cooler in the summer and reducing energy costs.

Freshening Up Your Concrete Parking Lot

Updating the concrete parking lot for your customers is an easy and eco-friendly way to keep people coming back. It ensures parking lot safety and keeps your energy cost down.

Ready to repave your customer parking lot? Click here to fill out a contact form.

The Common Reasons Asphalt Cracks

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The Common Reasons Asphalt Cracks

You’ve seen it a hundred times. A parking lot that looks as though it has been neglected for decades, with potholes and cracks everywhere. More than likely these problems began with smaller issues, with something called alligator or spider cracks.  A couple of questions come immediately to mind. Why did these cracks form? How do they get repaired? Excellent questions indeed, and both go to the heart of good parking lot maintenance. After all, you certainly don’t want your property to be known for its lack of upkeep. It’s always better to be remembered for a well-maintained building and grounds.

How Cracks Form

In the northeast, including the Baltimore area, weather can be a big factor in the formation of cracks. The relentless heat of the sun and the corrosive effects of moisture create tiny cracks in the asphalt surface. If these aren’t quickly addressed, they grow into larger cracks and imperfections through the following mechanisms:

  • Foreign materials such as rocks and other debris, chisel away at the asphalt
  • The cycles of freezing and thawing open up bigger cracks
  • Plants and tree roots gain a foothold and weaken the asphalt
  • Failure to maintain the parking lot results in growing cracks
  • Improper installation and maintenance techniques reduce the longevity of an asphalt job

Once the cracks have started, it’s time for some proper maintenance and repair of the surface. This is the only sure way to get the parking lot back to where it should be.

How Cracks Get Fixed

A professional paving company can fix cracks through several measures. If the situation is caught early, sealcoating can put down a protective layer over the surface and make it look like new again. This is a simple, inexpensive fix that should be done every three to five years. More serious problems may require additional work. To get a free estimate on parking lot repairs, contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or sending us an email today!

Hidden Costs for Poor Asphalt Drainage

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If you are like most business owners, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of time obsessing about your parking lot. However, the failure to manage this space properly can result in problems and large expenses that will eventually force you to notice, and not in a good way. Asphalt drainage is an area that is seldom thought about until it becomes a big problem. It’s all about maintaining the integrity of a parking lot with common sense solutions.

The Costs of Poor Drainage

It’s easy to make a case for water being the most destructive element to your asphalt surface. Anywhere there is a crack in the surface, moisture from rain, sprinklers, spills, and condensation seeps below the surface.  While there, it can damage the pavement and cause the following problems:

  • Expand cracks through the process of freezing and thawing
  • Make and enlarge potholes
  • Allow unsightly pools of water to form
  • Create a danger for slips and falls

A well-designed and well-maintained parking lot eliminates many of the areas where water and other liquids can pool. These parking lots are less likely to experience rapid deterioration and should last longer.

Solutions

The best way to address drainage issues is with a mitigation plan prepared by a professional contractor. The focus of this plan is to fix and repair all cracks in the surface of the pavement. A crack sealing and filling program prevents water and ice from widening cracks and damaging the substrate of the pavement. This can be done on a maintenance plan, or you can call in the professionals when you see problems. At the very least, someone from your team should inspect the parking lots on a regular basis, either weekly or monthly. 

To get the best drainage for your parking lot, contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling (703)-423-0471 or sending an email to [email protected]. Get a free estimate today!

3 Simple Tips to Keep Your Asphalt Parking Lot Looking Great

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Keeping your commercial lot in pristine condition is important when you run a business, as it’s often the first thing a potential customer will see when they come to your location. When you’re busy with what’s going on inside the building it is easy to forget about the outside. Here are three simple tips to keep your lot looking its best. Following these tips will make your lot easier on the eyes while saving you money.

Drainage

One of the easiest warning signs to overlook is pooling water in your lot. We are used to seeing standing water along streets and sidewalks, so we often dismiss it on our lots as totally normal. Unfortunately, this is a sign of poor drainage on your lot and the standing water can lead to damage for your surface. This shortens your lot’s lifespan, meaning more money out of your pocket. If you notice pockets of standing water that shows where your lot is draining improperly, you should contact an asphalt professional to fix it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Seal and Fill

As time goes by your lot will eventually begin to crack. If left unchecked, a small crack can quickly result in damage that requires full replacement. You should always get your cracks filled as soon as you notice them to avoid a full replacement. Adding a protective UV seal over your lot will also extend its life and reduce the risks of cracks and holes.

Clean

Keeping your lot clean is beneficial to more than just it’s appearance, it also removes potentially hazardous debris or fluids which can damage the surface. Make sure that regular cleaning is a part of your property’s maintenance schedule.

If you’ve got a lot in need of repairs or replacement, NVM Paving & Concrete is the solution you need. Contact us at (703)-423-0471 or email Mark at [email protected] to schedule your asphalt treatment today.