We are in the middle of Maintenance Madness, – well, we mean March Madness! The 2016 Men’s NCAA March Madness is upon us. This year’s tournament has been wild so far. Indiana beats Kentucky in a battle of the powerhouses; Wisconsin beats Xavier on a last-second shot, while Texas A&M needs two overtimes for victory.
But whether your bracket is already busted or you’re gunning for the top of the office pool, the competition of college hoops is a fun time for all – well, maybe! March is also known for other challenges as well. Many of us experienced a tough winter, which may have left havoc on the appearance of the asphalt paving on your commercial property.
It’s time to say ‘goodbye’ to winter and ‘hello’ to spring – time for you to start your spring pavement maintenance game plan! What does your asphalt look like after the freeze/thaw cycle, salt, snow plows and heavy traffic? Even your less-frequented areas will may have succumbed to the elements and need repairs.
Developing a long-term maintenance plan will help extend the life of your parking lot and save you money in the long run. Resurfacing a parking lot is a huge cost. Taking a proactive approach and consider doing some preventative maintenance will help extend the life of your pavement.
Here are a few tips to consider for extending the life of your parking lot:
Fill Cracks Promptly Examine your parking lot for cracks that have either formed or enlarged over the winter months. Regardless of the reasons for the cracking, it is important to properly repair cracks as soon as they appear to prevent any further possible damage – small cracks only get bigger. Cracks that measure one-fourth inch to one-inch wide are good candidates for crack sealing. Not repairing problems early can lead to further deterioration and shorten the life of your pavement.
Sealcoating One of the most effective strategies to manage deterioration is sealcoating your asphalt. Sealcoating seals the surface of your asphalt, further protecting it from water, oils and U.V damage. A sealcoated surface looks great – the surface is a dark black color versus gray. To help slow pavement deterioration, asphalt be sealed every 24 to 36 months.
Fix Obvious Drainage Issues Inspect the storm drains throughout your parking lot. Take note of any sinking or deterioration which may indicate a problem beneath the surface. Identify any areas of standing water on your parking lot. Early attention to drainage issues is key to extending the life of your asphalt. A quick inspection after a heavy rain, like today’s, is a good idea!
Sweep It Up Consider sweeping your parking lot on a regular basis to keep it free from hazards like loose rocks, dirt and glass. Cleaning the pavement regularly also will help reveal any cracks or damaged asphalt that may need repair.
Manage Larger Trucks – Larger and heavy vehicles like garbage and delivery trucks carry a lot weight and can destroy your pavement. Lesson the amount of load by limiting their presence on your pavement. Reroute the trucks to paths that keep them off of your primary parking surfaces.
Innovative Maintenance Solutions can help you develop a parking lot maintenance program customized to your facility to maximize the useful life of your existing asphalt pavements. Let us help get your parking lot in shape for this season – from sealcoating, crack sealing, sweeping and striping! Contact us today for a FREE Post-Winter evaluation of your pavement and your options.
Innovative Maintenance Solutions
Tele: 317-626-3727
Email: sales@indyims.com
Address
Phone: 