Understanding what causes asphalt to crack in parking lots.

Asphalt is a highly durable material commonly used in parking lots and roads. Well-maintained asphalt pavement can last up to 20-25 years before needing a replacement. However, asphalt cracks can appear much sooner, as it’s important to contact an asphalt paving company to fix these pavement cracks before they get larger and cause more damages.

These asphalt repair professionals can easily fix the affected area of your parking lot and make it appear brand new again. Keeping your parking lot well-maintained is a great way to maximize curb appeal and save you money over the long term.

Here are a few examples of what causes asphalt to crack in parking lots.

Heavy Traffic

Dealing with heavy traffic is a common issue for many parking lots. Over time, the pavement thickness can begin to shrink due to heavy vehicles. Eventually, all of this traffic will result in fatigue cracking.

One way to limit these damages is to work with an asphalt paving company to install deeper asphalt sections for delivery truck routes in your parking lot. Staying proactive by planning for heavy traffic can limit slippage cracks and other damages to your parking lot.

Too Much Moisture

Another common reason for cracks to appear in a parking lot is due to water damage. Too much moisture will infiltrate the top asphalt layer and cause it to permeate into the foundation. Over time, this moisture will cause the foundation to destabilize and lead to all types of cracking on the surface of the pavement. These cracks will become even bigger over time, as reaching out to an asphalt repair company is important in limiting these damages.

Age of the Parking Lot

Asphalt cracking will eventually occur in your parking lot due to age. A combination of factors can lead to the deterioration of your parking lot, whether you notice alligator cracking, block cracks, transverse cracking, or reflective cracking. Repairing these cracks in your pavement as soon as possible is critical in preventing severe damage to your parking lot. Staying proactive by using an asphalt parking lot company for repair work will maximize the lifespan of your pavement and save you a lot of money.

Sun Damage

The UV rays from the sun will often cause your pavement to dry out and make it more vulnerable to cracking. This is especially problematic for parking lots in the Tampa region due to the hot weather during the summer months. One of the best ways to protect your parking lot from sun damage is to apply a sealcoat every two years to limit cracking and increase durability. These sealcoating services are also a great way to enhance the visual appearance of your parking lot.

Tree Roots

Tree roots can often produce numerous cracks in your asphalt pavement. These roots can easily grow underneath the pavement and eventually expand to cause the pavement to crack. The only way to avoid this problem is to remove nearby trees before laying new asphalt. Always plant new trees away from the parking lot is important in avoiding these issues in the future.

Poor Installation

Poor installation of asphalt can also result in cracks in your parking lot. These cracks will often appear within the first 18 to 24 months after installation. Sometimes these cracks appear due to the foundation not being deep enough or if the pavement wasn’t compacted correctly.

Installing asphalt pavement during humid or rainy conditions can also result in premature cracking due to moisture weakening the asphalt.

Lack of Maintenance

Parking lot maintenance is key in limiting cracks and keeping your asphalt in excellent condition. Scheduling repairs and patchwork services are essential in preventing cracks from getting larger and causing more damages.

Removing debris and keeping your parking lot clean are also important in extending its lifespan. Reaching out to professionals for annual parking lot inspections and scheduling sealcoating services every two to three years will also keep your pavement well-maintained and looking great for many years.

Contact PLS to Learn More About What Causes Asphalt to Crack

Parking Lot Services (PLS) offers asphalt repair in Tampa for businesses and property managers. Our talented team can easily repair all types of cracks, such as longitudinal cracking, edge cracking, and much more.

We also provide sealcoating and asphalt paving services. Meeting the needs of each project is a top priority, as customer satisfaction is always guaranteed. Give PLS a call today to schedule a free consultation for pavement crack filling and learn more about what causes asphalt to crack.