An overview of the most common asphalt problems for parking lots.
Dealing with asphalt problems is a reality for anyone who owns a parking lot. Sometimes these issues with an asphalt parking lot are simple to fix, while others are much more complicated. Contacting a local parking lot contractor offering asphalt repair services is a good idea to take care of these problems now before they get even worse. Staying proactive with asphalt maintenance will increase the curb appeal of your property and reduce the chance of accidents.
Here is an overview of five of the most common asphalt problems impacting parking lots.
1) Potholes
Potholes are an all too frequent occurrence in many parking lots. Potholes form from water infiltrating the cracks in the surface layers of asphalt pavement. This is especially problematic with alligator cracks on the pavement surface, as water will seep through and eventually erode the subbase of the asphalt parking lot.
Severe alligator cracking will cause chunks of asphalt pavement to become dislodged while heavy vehicles drive over the surface. In addition, these potholes are an unsightly appearance, and they can even damage vehicles if left unrepaired. Working with an asphalt paving contractor to make repairs is a good idea to avoid further damage to your parking lot.
2) Cracking
Cracks can eventually form in your parking lot over an extended period. Cracks form for various reasons, such as traffic from heavy vehicles, improper installation, or weather conditions. For example, fatigue cracks occur due to overloading or a weakened sub-grade. On the other hand, edge cracks often form due to poor drainage.
Longitudinal cracks may occur due to pavement fatigue or poor construction, while transverse cracks often happen because of daily temperature fluctuations. All of these different types of cracking are just one more reason why it’s important to use an asphalt contractor to make these repairs before it’s too late.
3) Raveling
Raveling is the ongoing process that separates aggregate particles within a pavement from the edges or surface. Typically, fine pieces of aggregate will wear away first, as it will usually leave behind “pockmarks” on the surface of the asphalt.
The erosion will only continue and force larger particles to break free, which causes the pavement to look jagged and much rougher. Raveling happens once the asphalt binder gets older and hardens. Poor asphalt mixes or not enough compaction can also result in raveling.
An asphalt contractor can fix this issue by removing the damaged pavement before applying a thin hot-mix overlay. Sealcoating is an excellent way to prevent this issue.
4) Oil Spots
Oil spots often appear on a parking lot over time. These oil spots are never a pretty sight, and they can cause damage to the asphalt layers of your parking lot. Fortunately, you can remove oil spots by using a variety of different methods. Using an oil stain removal product is a simple way to eliminate stains, as you will usually need to let it sit for five to eight hours before sweeping the powder.
You can even use cat litter to remove a fresh oil stain by letting it sit overnight before sweeping and washing down the surface with a water hose. On the other hand, you may need to replace the damaged asphalt if the oil stain has saturated the pavement for a long period of time.
5) Rutting
Ruts can eventually form on asphalt pavement. Ruts are caused by vehicles compressing the surface of the parking lot. Asphalt pavement is more susceptible to rutting if it has moisture infiltration, insufficient thickness, or a weak asphalt mix.
Not receiving enough compaction during the installation process will also lead to more ruts. Heavy traffic in a parking lot will make the condition even worse. An asphalt contractor can make repairs to minor ruts by filling and overlaying the indentations of the pavement. However, the rutted pavement will need to be removed and replaced if it’s severely damaged.
Work with PLS to Fix All of Your Asphalt Problems
Parking Lot Services (PLS) can help your business with all of your asphalt problems. Our company has decades of experience in asphalt installation and repairs, concrete services, parking lot maintenance, ADA compliance, and parking lot sealcoating in Tampa.
We can easily take care of a wide range of problems, whether you are dealing with block cracks, slippage cracking, poor drainage, reflection cracking, or any other issues with your asphalt surface. Our team is always happy to answer any questions or concerns, as our main focus is to provide the best customer service.
Reach out to PLS today if you need to hire an asphalt paving contractor in the Tampa area for repair work and to schedule a free consultation.