Answer: Leaving a parking lot’s asphalt to the whims of nature and vehicles can be a very expensive proposition. Not only will you need to repave the parking lot sooner than necessary if no maintenance is done, your lot can create all sorts of hazards that damage vehicles and injure pedestrians.

Defects on your lot are the responsibility of the owner, and lawsuits filed by people who trip and fall in parking lots can put your business at risk. It is mandatory that your pavement not only look great, but that it remains structurally sound and free of defects such as cracks, depressions and potholes.

Answer: Assuming that the initial asphalt pavement was designed and constructed properly, the primary cause of failure is the penetration of water into the asphalt base. Asphalt failure often begins with the oxidation of an untreated pavement surface which causes the asphalt to become dry and brittle. The top layer of fine particles erodes, exposing the larger aggregate and leading to small cracks on the surface. These cracks will grow if left untreated, allowing water to penetrate to the base of the pavement. When water enters the base of the pavement, the base material shifts and settles leading to further cracking and a depression in the surface. As water pools in the depressed area, the asphalt further deteriorates and becomes unstable. When the pavement reaches this stage, removal and replacement of the old asphalt is often the only remedy.

Answer: Periodic and preventative maintenance is the key. Budget money for crack filling on a yearly basis. Typically a few hundred dollars a year in crack filling will save you thousands in patching when resurfacing is required. If deteriorated pavement is caused by poor sub-base conditions, periodic patching may be required to keep those areas from spreading.

Answer: Asphalt pavement is usually 95% aggregate, which could be stone, sand, or gravel, and 5% asphalt cement as a binder. The binder is a product of oil refining and acts to glue the aggregates together. The aggregate and asphalt are heated, combined with the recycled material and mixed together. Then we load the hot pavement material into trucks and take it out to the site.

Answer:
• It costs less to construct and maintain asphalt than alternative pavements.
• Asphalt construction projects can be completed more quickly than alternative pavements.
• Asphalt pavements are the smoothest pavements.
• Asphalt pavements generate less noise than alternative pavements.
• The contrast of the black pavement and white lines make it easier for motorists to understand driving and parking regulations - making asphalt a safer pavement.
• Properly designed, constructed and maintained asphalt pavements last significantly longer than alternative pavements.
• Asphalt is recyclable.

Answer: Paving operations are weather dependant. If it is just morning mist or very light rain, we will sometimes work through it. If it is raining heavily or snowing, we normally reschedule the project until a dry day. Asphalt can be applied year round provided temperature and ground conditions are adequate.

Answer: Yes, it is normal to see some tire marking, since the sealer is still tender, and hasn’t cured 100%. You will notice that the tracking and marking will subside after a week or so.