Safety, liability, aesthetics and cost are all great reasons to keep your commercial parking lot in top-notch condition. The appearance of your lot says a lot to your customers about the quality of your business. It is often the first impression your customers receive. The condition of your asphalt is directly related to liability costs, and most of all, to the safety of your customers and employees. How do you know when repairs are not enough and it's time to resurface your commercial parking lot?

Unlike patching and repairing, resurfacing can involve removing the old surface and replacing, or paving over the old surface. It is important to have it done at a specific point of deterioration. Otherwise, you'll also be paying to have the underlying foundation replaced.

• Extensive Cracking. This is also known as "alligator cracking" since it resembles the dry, cracked skin of the reptile. It looks unprofessional and is an indication that the sub base has weakened from more weight than it can bear.
• Potholes. These start out as small cracks that eventually become loose chunks. It happens when the asphalt has been neglected or the underlying foundation is in poor condition. It is a danger to both foot and vehicular traffic.
• Pooling Water. Not only does this increase the risk of accidents in your parking lot, but the excessive moisture erodes the asphalt aggregate. It creates a tunneling effect under the surface, causing weak spots in other areas.
• Crumbling Edges. This is a sign of severely aging asphalt. It looks bad, leads to accidents and injuries and affects adjacent areas. The damage continues to spread until large sections of the lot are destroyed.
• Buckling and Warping. These are indications of foundation damage due to poor construction or taking on more weight than the parking lot was designed to bear. It is an eyesore as well as a safety hazard.

How to Prepare Your Driveway for Winter

Take these steps to increase your driveway's chances of surviving over the winter, while keeping it safe for foot and vehicular traffic.

• Clear away leaves, twigs and organic debris that can attract moisture
• Remove objects, such as planters and pots
• Power wash to remove oil and grit
• Repair current cracks, pits and potholes
• Sealcoat your asphalt for extra protection
• Avoid parking unusually heavy vehicles in your driveway over the winter
• Use calcium-based ice melts
• Ensure there is adequate drainage around your driveway
• Use shovels or equipment designed specifically for snow removal

Inspection and Recommendations by the Experts

At Maintain It All, our asphalt experts can look at your parking lot and advise you on how to move forward for the best results. We solve smaller issues with commercial patching or emergency pothole repair. When the damage is extensive, we will entirely resurface your commercial parking lot. Contact us today to schedule an inspection.