Daylight savings is a sure sign of spring, warmer temperatures, and the busy season in paving. Now that the clocks are ahead, have you remembered to schedule pavement maintenance? If not, the countdown is on! Soon, the kids will be out of school and headed to the beach or pool, which means your retail centers will be less busy—making it the perfect time to pave.
Signing contracts earlier in the season also helps impact the bottom line. That’s because material supply and demand is at its closest state of equilibrium, resulting in better pricing. In addition, labor availability and capability for multi-site work increases, which means fewer mobilizations, reduced travel costs, and savings for buying material in bulk.
But, first things first! It’s important to determine the condition of your pavement assets. The longer days will help shed light on any pavement defects that have sprung up after a harsh winter. However, if you’re not able to walk your sites and take note of damaged areas, give us a call. We’ll go on site to assess your properties, prioritize repairs, and schedule procedures.
3 Causes for Alarm:
Wet spots or standing water. Water is the number-one enemy of pavement. It seeps through open cracks in asphalt and compromises the sub-base. Crack sealing is the best defense and the most cost-effective treatment. Cracks that measure ¼-inch to 1-inch wide are best suited for this procedure. Any that are wider or cover a more extensive area may require asphalt removal and replacement.
Oxidized or graying pavement. Summer is just around the corner and that means plenty of sunshine, which also wreaks havoc on your parking lot. Over time, UV rays oxidize pavement (or turn it gray) and weaken the binder, resulting in raveling. Sealcoating provides a layer of protection to help keep out environmental irritants such as UV rays, salt, sand, and oil.
Faded or missing striping. Clearly marked pavement serves to direct people safely around your facilities. If stalls or other markings are hard to see (or missing altogether), an injury or lawsuit may not be far behind. To help prevent accidents, schedule re-striping every two to three years. And, be sure that your parking lots are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Although we can’t turn back time or stop it, we can help prepare your parking lots for a long and healthy future. Ready? Let’s Pave!
