The parking lots at your facilities are often the first thing people notice and keeping them properly maintained gives you the opportunity to make a positive first impression. They are also a place where mitigating trip and fall risk is important to keeping staff and guests safe.
With spring approaching it is the perfect time to assess and maintain any damage that may have arisen during the winter months. Proper maintenance can reduce facility financial liabilities. Asphalt is one of the most expensive assets to maintain due to the constant exposure to extreme weather like snow and ice mixed with oil and fluids from cars. Regular annual maintenance and well-timed preservation activities can extend 20-year design life by 10-20 years.
A visual inspection at the end of winter will give you clarity on any maintenance needs that need to be done before the rainy season in the spring, proper drainage is essential to the lifespan of your pavement. Two key activities to perform currently are sealcoating and crack sealing.
After the winter it is important to keep joints sealed, so that during the rainy season in the spring water does not weaken the base. Sealcoating is the process of applying a protective coating to asphalt based pavement to provide a layer of protection from extreme weather, UV damage, and oil and other fluid from vehicles.
When it comes to filling cracked pavement- it should be done once the cracks reach one-eighth of an inch. Filling cracks keeps them from growing and expanding, preventing additional cracks and potholes from forming, as well as the eventual failure of the pavement subbase.
To make a positive first impression, mitigate risk, and extend the design life of your pavement, make sure to keep up with proper maintenance. A pavement consultant like Mantis Innovation can help avoid costly reconstructions, extending hardscape life and saving up to 50% on cost of total ownership. They can also make sure that first impression a positive and safe one.