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NVM Paving & Concrete, Inc.

Northern Virginia Paving Company

asphalt maintenance

Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Parking Lot and Driveway

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Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Parking Lot and Driveway

Research shows that about 5% of US urban land comprises parking spaces. Having a clean area to park and a well-maintained driveway boosts the appeal of your home.

Also, maintaining your lot and a driveway is crucial to reducing injuries. The presence of cracks and potholes in such areas can lead to flat tires. People are likely to slip and fall on ill-maintained parking areas and driveways.

Regular maintenance is vital since summer heat expands asphalt and widens cracks. Here are summer tips for maintaining your parking lots and driveways.

Sealcoat Your Parking Area

Sealcoating involves covering your asphalt with a durable layer that improves your driveway’s resistance to sun rays. Applying a sealcoat in your parking lot reduces damages like cracking and staining. Sealing the spaces where people can park every three to five years keeps it intact and lessens injuries.

Although sealcoating may seem like an unnecessary expense, it saves you money eventually. Your lot and driveway will regain a fresh new look. Besides, sealcoating gives your driveway flexibility to handle traffic without creating potholes.

Repair Cracks and Potholes

High summer heat causes your asphalt to become malleable and soft. Summer temperatures can rise to 1490F, and this high heat damage causes depressions on the wheel paths. Such depressions then turn to potholes and cracks.

It’s crucial to repair your driveway and parking lot as soon as you notice any cracks and potholes. To prevent cracking from becoming extensive, ensure you fill them with asphalt or crack fillers. Hiring an expert helps you fill the potholes to limit injury cases and damages to your car.

Perform Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning is a summer maintenance tip that ensures your parking lot and driveway retain their value. Sweeping every morning helps your remove leaves and debris, making your home look occupied.

Besides, cleaning removes oil stains and any unnecessary trash that may cover cracks or potholes. Having a clean driveway helps you conduct a faster inspection to assess any cracking and uneven surfaces.

Remove Stagnant Water

Water can cause significant damage to your driveway or parking lot. Pooling water weakens areas where you park, causing water to seep into the sublayers. During summer, the sun’s heat causes water to have air gaps that weaken the asphalt from within the sublayers.

Since a weakened driveway can’t handle weighty objects, it can become uneven and quickly develop potholes. Also, allowing water to settle on your lot eases mildew growth, affecting your parking space’s quality. You can avoid further asphalt repairs by draining water and keeping your driveway space dry.

Maintain Your Parking Lot and Driveway During Summer

Maintaining your parking lot and driveway helps you reduce repair costs. Moreover, regular maintenance improves your home’s curb appeal. It also enables you to prevent injuries to people and damage to your car.

At NVM Paving & Concrete, we provide asphalt repair and sealcoating. We can also construct and repair your parking area with concrete or asphalt. Reach out to us for all your parking lot maintenance needs.

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!

Do You Need to Repave Your Commercial Parking Lot?

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Part of your commercial property’s curb appeal is the parking lot. Clients and customers make snap judgments based on appearance. If you have a rundown parking lot, it won’t go unnoticed. This could make a difference in who stops into your business. One of the best materials to use for a durable parking lot happens to be asphalt. This is a recyclable, sustainable parking lot choice. If you’re not sure if it’s time to repave, you may want to look out for the following signs.

Cracked Pavement

Cracks in your pavement are normal signs of wear. Small cracks may even go unnoticed. However, you want to monitor for any cracking. Any cracks can grow and lead to further problems, like potholes. In addition, when you have cracks, water may end up beneath the surface and can lead to weak spots.

Low Areas

Low areas can be caused by a few different things. These areas could be due to larger and heavier vehicles frequenting the parking lot. It could be caused by a vehicle that sat in the parking lot for long periods. Your asphalt may look more compressed. These spots will lead to puddles and other issues. If you don’t repair these quickly, it can lead to further damage.

Potholes

Potholes are an obvious sign that you need to replace the pavement. Not only do potholes damage your parking lot, but they can cause damage to vehicles. You don’t want to have hazards in your parking lots! Not only can they damage vehicles, but potholes can also lead to trip and fall accidents.

When it comes to parking lot maintenance, you don’t want to let anything slide. Keep an eye out for any problems that may need repair or replacements. If it’s time to repave your parking lot, contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or sending an email today!

Asphalt Checklist for Summertime Maintenance

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At times it might seem as though your parking lot will last forever. Then, the next time you look closely at it, you begin to see cracks, buckling, blisters, and raveling.  Time is rough on just about everything under the sun and parking lots are no exceptions. The hot months of summer are among the hardest on your pavement, so it pays to make frequent inspections.  Here’s a checklist of things to do for your parking lot this summer.

Inspect Your Parking Lot Weekly

Take a stroll around your parking lot at least once a week. You should pay close attention to the color of the asphalt. Can you see any difference in the color, such as fading or dulling? What about the lines painted on the surface?  Have they faded or are they still visible, even at night? It might be time to order a sealcoat or a new paint job.

Analyze the Level of Cracking

A few cracks in the surface might be acceptable, but anything beyond that should be addressed. If there is considerable crumbling and loose materials, the asphalt will look unsightly and leave a bad impression. Potholes are a sure sign that some repairs need to be scheduled soon. Failure to address potholes can lead to vehicle damage and accidents by customers and employees. This could leave your business vulnerable to lawsuits.

Scrutinize the Amount of Chemicals Present

If your parking lot contains significant oil spills and other corrosive chemicals, it could be a good time for a sealcoat. This is a cost-effective method to restore the appearance of your pavement and add some protection from the sun’s rays at the same time.

If your parking lot is in need of repairs, contact NVM Paving & Concrete and receive a free estimate. We can answer any questions you have about repairs and paving options. Reach out by calling (703)-423-0471 or sending an email today!