3 Elements That Can Shorten The Life Of Your Commercial Parking Lot
Posted on: 25 March 2021
No retail store can be successful without providing its customers with a place to park. Your commercial parking lot plays a significant role in the safety and security of your customers. Most commercial parking lots are constructed using asphalt.
Unfortunately, asphalt isn't designed to last forever. If you want to ensure your parking lot remains functional for as long as possible, you must be familiar with the elements that can shorten the lifespan of asphalt surfaces.
Identifying these elements allows you to invest in preventative maintenance that will extend the life of your asphalt.
1. Water
Water is one of the most destructive elements on Earth. If your parking lot is located in a climate that sees a lot of precipitation, water has the potential to wreak havoc on your asphalt.
A commercial parking lot must have proper drainage. Water that pools after a heavy rain can cause surface erosion of the asphalt in your parking lot. Surface erosion opens the door for serious asphalt damage (like crumbling, potholes, and cracks) to develop within your commercial parking lot.
Pay close attention to the drainage pattern of your parking lot. Have an asphalt specialist adjust the drainage when needed to prevent pooling water from shortening the life of your parking lot.
2. Chemicals
Modern vehicles are filled with chemicals that contribute to the operation of the combustion engine. While these chemicals are beneficial inside a vehicle, they have the potential to cause serious damage to your commercial parking lot.
It's inevitable that some of the vehicles driven by your customers will have a leak. Engine oil, transmission fluid, and antifreeze are all chemicals that can mar the surface of your asphalt.
Take the time to clean your commercial parking lot often. Invest in regular sealcoating to help prevent chemical erosion from causing premature asphalt failure.
3. UV Exposure
The surface of a commercial parking lot is constantly exposed to sunlight. UV rays can be very damaging to an asphalt surface. Over time, UV exposure can weaken the structural integrity of your parking lot. You will begin to see cracks, low spots, and potholes forming when your parking lot is suffering from UV damage.
If you invest in immediate patching, crack filling, and resurfacing when you spot any signs of potential UV damage, you will be able to extend the life of your commercial parking lot without compromising your maintenance budget.
Contact a commercial parking lot maintenance contractor to learn more.
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