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NVM Paving & Concrete, Inc.

Northern Virginia Paving Company

asphalt parking lot

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.

Top 5 Things to Know About Commercial Asphalt Paving

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Are you looking to renovate your multi-family property or commercial business? Your parking lot should be at the top of the list. When it comes to first impressions, you don’t want your parking lot to let you down. Here is what you need to know about asphalt paving and why it is the right choice for your property.

Asphalt Is Eco-Friendly

Asphalt is an environmentally friendly option! Up to 99% of asphalt gets reused and recycled. Due to this, the asphalt option is better for the environment and your wallet, making it a green option in more ways than one! Asphalt is actually the most reused and recycled product in the United States, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

Asphalt Has a History

Asphalt has been around for a long time. It’s uses were discovered early in human history, partly due to the fact that some forms of asphalt occur naturally. Asphalt roads began during the Industrial Revolution, but people used it long before that. In fact, Babylonians paved roads with it as early as 615 BC.

Asphalt Is Durable

Asphalt can last for up to 35 years. Of course, you may need regular maintenance, but 35 years is an extremely long time that your commercial business or multi-family property can be reaping the benefits. If you apply sealcoating to asphalt, it can last even longer.

Asphalt Is Affordable

Asphalt is a cost-effective option. On average, it is much cheaper than concrete. Many people may question the affordability of asphalt; however, the cost is not a reflection of the durability. Asphalt is a high-quality option AND affordable option.

Asphalt is a Top Choice

When it comes to paving solutions, asphalt is the top choice that businesses use. Most parking lots and airport runways use asphalt. The fact that it is durable, effective, and reusable is among just some of the reasons that make asphalt one of the most popular choices.

If you’re ready to repave your parking lot, you may want to think about asphalt. For more information on how to install a parking lot in the Baltimore and DC area, contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or sending us an email today!

Start Your Plans for A New Asphalt Parking Lot

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When you’re thinking about replacing your asphalt parking lot, it is never too early to plan. There are a lot of considerations and factors that go into making sure that the job is done correctly. Here are the things you need to consider when planning your asphalt parking lot.

Consider Current Asphalt

Your first step should be to inspect your current asphalt. You should look for pooling water, cracks and potholes, or sinking in the pavement. These are issues that you need to have taken care of right away and they often indicate the need for an asphalt replacement.

Consider Size

In order to understand the plans that need to be made, you must have a clear idea of the scale of the project. The size of your parking lot, in addition to any complications, will change how large the project is. Be clear about the size of your parking lot so that your contractors will know how to prepare.

Consider Usage

To prepare for a large-scale parking lot project, the type of asphalt you need depends on what you use the lot for. For instance, if you use heavy trucks regularly, you may need a thicker pavement. If you rarely use heavy trucks, a few inches of pavement will suffice.

Consider Soil

The soil under the pavement matters. Some soils have to be compacted more than others. A company will have to remove excess air from the soil to make sure that the base is stable. In other cases, the soil may require the asphalt to be thicker.

When it comes to asphalt plans, you have to take a lot of details into consideration. The more that you prepare ahead of time, the more likely you are to receive a quality parking lot that you can count on. It’s never too early to prepare. For more information on paving a parking lot in the DC and Baltimore area, contact NVM Paving & Concrete at (703)-423-0471 or email us today!