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Asphalt is the most common parking lot paving material in residential and commercial properties across Reno, primarily due to its exceptional durability.
Professionally installed asphalt can last 15 - 30 years. While concrete pavements have a lifespan of 20-40 years, asphalt stands out for its superior aesthetic appeal and incredible versatility. The material is also cost-effective and incredibly easy to install.
However, even the most skillfully laid asphalt pavement can only last so long. Spotting early signs of wear and tear can help you determine whether your asphalt parking lot requires quick repairs or a complete overhaul.
In this post, we highlight the various problems with asphalt parking lots that warrant calling a Reno paving company.
1. Asphalt Cracking
Cracking is the most common sign that your asphalt requires immediate maintenance.
Asphalt cracks can take on numerous shapes. Despite how they emerge, it's essential to contact a parking lot paving company Portland and get the cracks fixed before they spread dangerously throughout the entire pavement.
Below are the most common types of asphalt cracking to watch out for in your parking lot;
a. Block Cracking
Most cracks on your asphalt parking lot will present as block cracking, which is identifiable by its large, usually interconnected rectangular shapes.
Erratic temperature fluctuations typically cause block cracking. It occurs when the asphalt binder shrinks and disintegrates as your asphalt parking lot heats and cools alternately.
Other common causes of block cracking include foundational issues and substandard artistry.
b. Alligator Cracking
Alligator cracks are aptly named for their distinctive appearance, which resembles the skin of an alligator. They're usually caused by the rapid expansion of the asphalt pavement due to excessive ground heat.
Like block cracking, alligator cracks may also result from a weakened foundation or poor installation.
c. Longitudinal Cracking
Longitudinal cracking on your asphalt parking lot is cracks that run parallel to the pavement's imaginary centerline.
Common causes include shrinkage (due to chilly conditions), subterranean heat, and substandard construction materials.
d. Transverse Cracking
Unlike longitudinal asphalt cracks that run parallel to a parking lot's center line, transverse cracks develop perpendicular to that line. Both types have similar general causes.
However, poor installation is usually the biggest culprit for transverse cracking. That's because the cracks follow the general direction in which your parking lot pavement was initially laid.
e. Slippage Cracking
This is one of the most distinctive cracks on asphalt parking lots, noted for its crescent-shaped marks. It occurs when the outer pavement layer of your parking lot slips over the layer located just beneath the ground.
Substandard artistry and cheap bonding materials are mostly to blame for slippage cracks.
2. Crumbling Edges
Asphalt parking lots should be properly curbed. The absence of curbs can exert undue strain on the pavement's edge, causing it to crumble and deteriorate.
Crumbling edges are typically common in high-traffic areas, making it a serious problem in commercial parking lots.
Besides the absence of curbs, poor installation could cause your asphalt parking lot to crumble.
Adverse weather is often a contributing factor, especially during periods of alternating heating and cooling.
Despite the cause, it's prudent to contact a professional paving company immediately. Without urgent intervention, the damage may spread toward the center of your parking lot and eventually weaken the pavement's foundation.
3. Potholes
Potholes don't constitute early warning signs of damage to asphalt parking lots. Instead, they're usually a result of extended periods of neglect.
Before potholes emerge on your asphalt pavement, you'll typically observe smaller holes. The problem arises when these holes are left unaddressed for months.
However, some asphalt parking lots may develop potholes unusually soon after installation. Substandard artistry is often to blame in such cases.
The saving grace is that potholes on asphalt parking lots tend to be localized. As such, you can get them fixed without having to do complete resurfacing.
Just remember that time is of the essence when dealing with potholed parking lots. Besides the risks of spreading to massive depressions, these unsightly holes can cause severe damage to your vehicle's suspension systems and undercarriage. Not to mention the adverse impact on your brand's image, particularly for potholes on commercial parking lots.
4. Standing Water
Standing water and potholes share a cause-and-effect relationship.
As mentioned, the problem usually begins with ignoring tiny holes that emerge on your asphalt parking lot—the holes then pool water, which seeps underneath the pavement and weakens its foundation.
As the structure of your asphalt parking lot weakens, the tiny holes expand and deepen. Before you know it, your entire parking space is dotted with gaping depressions.
But standing water in your parking lot doesn't just promote potholes. It can also invite unwelcome critters into your property.
From tiny insects like mosquitoes to larger wildlife, such as raccoons, sharing your living space with these animals presents additional health and safety risks.
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5. Sinkage
Not to be confused with potholes, sinkage on asphalt parking lots occurs when the foundation settles unevenly, leaving an uneven surface.
Sinkages typically result from poor artistry or the use of inferior construction materials. That explains why the problem often occurs only a few months after the parking lot is constructed.
Depressions on your asphalt parking lot could also be due to the gradual erosion of the top surface.
Erosion is especially an issue for properties located downhill, where floodwater can gradually erode the pavement of your parking lot.
Unfortunately, depressions on your asphalt parking lot almost always require complete resurfacing. Your best bet is to contact a licensed technician for a thorough inspection and repair.
6. Asphalt Discoloration
This is the most common issue with asphalt parking lots that most property owners would readily ignore.
After all, fading doesn't directly impact a pavement's structural integrity. At least not immediately.
However, it's essential to be aware of the discoloration that can occur in a recently laid asphalt parking lot. That could indicate structural damage.
Pay particular attention if the fading occurs on patches rather than throughout the parking lot.
Besides subterranean factors, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are a significant cause of discoloration in parking lots. Studies have shown that sunlight and water can impact asphalt pavements, primarily by releasing organic compounds.
Stretching Out Your Asphalt's Durability With Regular Repairs
While observing the above signs is your cue to enlist immediate asphalt repair services, it's better to implement a proactive approach by undertaking regular parking lot inspections.
Experts recommend scheduling comprehensive asphalt pavement inspections at least once every six months. During these routine check-ups, your asphalt paving company may uncover early warning signs of trouble and fix them before they escalate.
Frequent inspections help avoid costly repair fees and productivity downtimes associated with severe pavement damage. Besides quarterly expert-led asphalt inspections, it's also best to perform daily checks for immediate hazards, such as debris.
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