A progressive pavement maintenance plan can greatly extend the longevity of parking surfaces, while improving the overall appearance of the pavement.
A visitor to your property begins to develop impressions as soon as they drive into the parking area. Attractive parking areas, with fresh black surfaces, neat line striping and well-maintained curbs go a long way to ensure that the first impression is the right impression. Progressive pavement maintenance makes good economic sense on both sides of the balance sheet.
Here are some issues to consider when thinking about pavement maintenance:
Timely Maintenance Saves Dollars
Pavement cracking and breaking |
What is the most cost effective time cycle for performing pavement maintenance? The answer depends on local climate and the age and condition of the asphalt surface. For that reason, we provide our customers with a free periodic inspection of their parking surfaces and assist them in establishing a schedule and budget for necessary pavement service and repair.
Pavement worn by sand, salt, and snow plowing will continue to deteriorate in the summer sun. Spider web cracks and potholes started by the winter freeze thaw cycles will expand from vehicle traffic, water penetration, and heat expansion. Once pavement damage has started, it tends to progress at an increasing rate. The sooner problems are addressed, the greater the cost savings.
Two critical elements in any pavement maintenance plan are the regular sealing of cracks to prevent water from penetrating to the base and subgrade, and sealcoating on a three-year cycle. Sealcoat is a latex-based coaltar pitch emulsion fortified with latex rubber additives and sand. It provides a durable barrier to both the elements and fuel/oil leaks.
The primary benefit of sealcoat is that it greatly slows the whole asphalt degradation process. The natural destruction of paved surfaces begins with solar ultraviolet oxidation of the asphalt binder, leading to shrinkage and cracking. Sealcoat is an effective sunblock for your pavement.
Choosing the Right Contractor
When it comes time to choose an asphalt maintenance contractor, keep in mind some basic selection criteria to simplify your task as well as ensure a satisfactory conclusion to your search.
Deteriorating pavement in need of Sealcoat |
There are different aspects to pavement maintenance, and if a contractor specializes in just one of those aspects, such as paving or repaving, that is the type of work they will invariably try to sell. It is a waste of money to repave an entire parking lot that could otherwise be reclaimed with combination of cut and patch paving repairs, crack sealing, and sealcoating. It is equally a waste of money to sealcoat over badly deteriorated pavement that really does need to be replaced.
Rather than deal with a contractor who is biased towards one particular fix for any given problem, look for a professional who is equipped to handle the full range of pavement maintenance services.
A 15-year comparison of the maintenance cost for sealed and unsealed asphalt by a research association for the asphalt industry showed that at the end of the 15 years, the pavement that was sealed at three-year intervals remained in serviceable condition at the end of the test period. The untreated asphalt required overlayment in the seventh and fifteenth years.
Don't budget asphalt maintenance blindly. Talk with a reputable paving contractor, request both a free pavement analysis and a progressive maintenance plan with detailed budget figures from U.S. Sealcoat & U.S. Paving. These are guaranteed to simplify life for you and allow you to have a clear plan for your pavement maintenance. |
