The asphalt parking lot is the center of your commercial property. It is the first and last impression your customers have of your business. It is important to keep it looking its best. Here are seven tips to help you maintain your asphalt parking lot.
1. Keep It Clean
The first rule of keeping your asphalt parking lot looking its best is to keep it clean. This means sweeping up any leaves, dirt, or other debris regularly. It also means keeping oil and gas spills cleaned up immediately.
2. Patch Potholes
Nothing is more annoying to customers than driving over a parking lot with huge, uneven potholes in it. Potholes can also be dangerous. Patching them as soon as they appear is the best way to prevent them from getting bigger and more difficult to fix.
3. Seal Coat Asphalt
Seal coating your asphalt parking lot helps to protect it from the elements. It also makes it look shiny and new. Most parking lot construction companies recommend seal coating every two to three years or after a parking lot has been resurfaced.
4. Use Reflective Stripes
Reflective parking lot striping is a great way to increase parking lot safety. It also helps customers who may be in a rush find parking spots more quickly because they can see vacant parking spaces. Reflective parking lot striping is relatively inexpensive, but it goes a long way in increasing the appearance of your parking lot and keeping customers happy.
5. Repair Curbs and Gutters
Damaged curbs and gutters can cause water to pool on your parking lot, which can lead to erosion and other damage. Repairing these problems as soon as they are noticed is the best way to keep them from getting worse.
6. Seal Cracks as They Appear
Sealing cracks in your parking lot as they appear is a much cheaper alternative to waiting until they become a bigger problem. Sealing cracks prevents them from growing and becoming a safety hazard.
7. Keep Trees and Shrubs Trimmed
Trees and shrubs can quickly become a nuisance in a parking lot. They can obscure parking spaces, make the lot look cluttered, and provide a place for rodents and other pests to hide. Keeping them trimmed back helps to keep your parking lot looking neat and tidy.
When properly maintained, according to Ford Asphalt, asphalt has a lifespan of around 10 to 12 years. By following these simple tips and by working with the right parking lot construction companies, you can prolong the life of your parking lot and keep it looking its best.