Learn how potholes form in parking lots and find out tips on how to avoid this problem.
Dealing with potholes is a reality in an asphalt parking lot. These potholes not only decrease the curb appeal of your property, but they are also liability risks. Potholes also tend to get worse over time, which is why it’s so important to schedule asphalt repair services to repair them properly. These professionals can easily repair potholes to keep your asphalt pavement well-maintained. Learning about how potholes form in parking lots is always a good idea for preventing this problem in the future.
Here is an overview of how potholes form in an asphalt parking lot:
Water Infiltration
One of the main causes of potholes is water infiltration. For example, standing water in your parking lot is a major problem that can eventually degrade your pavement. You may even notice dips in the pavement that begin to wear down before they form a parking lot pothole. Reaching out to an asphalt paving contractor is essential to taking care of these repairs.
These professionals can mix asphalt and apply an asphalt patch on the top layer of the pavement. A hot asphalt patch is especially effective at repairing potholes in warm weather. Once the repair method is finished, it’s also a good idea to schedule asphalt sealcoating services. These sealcoating services help to prevent potholes from forming due to the protective layer of coating on the asphalt material.
High Volume of Traffic
Potholes are also more likely to occur in a busy parking lot. Heavy traffic in one area can eventually cause cracks that can form into potholes if you don’t schedule parking lot repair services. Large vehicles can put a lot of strain on a parking lot, whether they’re delivery trucks, SUVs, or cargo trucks. Staying proactive with parking lot maintenance is always recommended to take care of any issues ahead of time.
Keeping your parking lot clean and inspecting the pavement on a weekly basis can help you identify any potential damages. Reaching out to professionals to fix potholes is essential in protecting the structural integrity of your pavement. On the other hand, waiting too long to repair potholes can cause these damages to get much worse and even decrease the lifespan of your parking lot.
Poor Construction Methods
Hiring the right asphalt paving contractor to build your parking lot is a big decision. Not all contractors are equal, which is why it’s important to ask for recommendations. Choosing the cheapest asphalt contractor isn’t usually a good idea because they will tend to use subpar materials and perform a less-than-stellar job. These poor construction methods can often result in potholes forming throughout your parking lot.
Doing your research ahead of time is essential to choosing the right contractor. An experienced contractor will use the best materials and the latest installation methods to ensure your pavement will last for a long time. You will only need to schedule routine maintenance to help prevent potholes. Hiring an experienced contractor may initially cost you more money, but it’s a much better investment for your property in the long term.
Tips on How to Prevent Potholes
Understanding how potholes form is just one aspect of keeping your pavement well-maintained. Taking a proactive approach by clearing away debris and inspecting your parking lot for any damages is key to taking care of any minor problems before they turn into much bigger issues. Sealcoating your pavement every three years is also recommended to reduce the chance of potholes in your asphalt pavement.
Asphalt overlays are also effective in repairing potholes before they cause damage to vehicles. Performing these preventative maintenance steps is also a much more cost-effective investment than waiting until it’s too late. You can greatly extend the lifespan of your asphalt parking lot by a few years by reaching out to professionals to repair any damages as soon as possible.
Contact PLS to Learn More Tips on How Potholes Form in Parking Lots
PLS offers asphalt paving and sealcoating services throughout the Tampa Bay area for businesses. Our team also provides asphalt repairs, parking lot striping, concrete installation, and ADA compliance services. Providing the best parking lot services for each customer is always a top priority. We are also happy to answer any of your questions on how potholes form and provide tips on how to avoid this problem in the future.
Give PLS a call today to schedule a free consultation for our asphalt repair services.