Although driveways and parking lots are made to last a long time, they won’t last forever. Concrete can last up to 30 years while asphalt lasts up to 25 years. However, to reach these lifespans you’ll have to engage in proper maintenance and perform driveway or parking lot repairs as needed. If you’ve neglected this maintenance you’ll start to notice damage that indicates that a repair or replacement is needed. Here are the top signs that you may need driveway or parking lot repairs soon.
The top sign that you need driveway or parking lot repairs is that you begin to notice cracks. Cracks will form normally over time in both asphalt and concrete surfaces, but they can be made worse by chemicals that penetrate the surface in (such as oil, gas and de-icing salt) and water that seeps in, particularly during winter months where water then freezes and expands the crack.
When evaluating cracks, you’ll want to take notice of how wide they are, how long they are and how deep they are. Longer, wider or deeper cracks indicate more extreme damage. Sometimes these cracks can be dealt with through driveway or parking lot repairs, or other times you’ll need a complete replacement.
Potholes are caused when the ground underneath the paving expands and contracts. As this occurs over and over, the pavement begins to weaken and cracks begin to form. Eventually traffic over the weak spot will cause the material to break down and the pothole to develop.
Potholes are a common problem for paved surfaces. Depending on the extent of the damage, driveway or parking lot repairs could fix the issue or a replacement may be in order.
Drainage is also important to the lifespan of your driveway or parking lot, and if you’re noticing issues then it’s time to fix the problem before it becomes worse. Common signs of drainage problems include pooling water or water running down the middle of the parking lot.
Parking lot repairs for drainage include adjusting the slope, adding curbing to help direct the flow of water off the parking lot or driveway, and drainage or inlets to provide a place for the water to go.
That beautiful pavement you installed will start to fade over time, as the sun’s UV rays penetrate and oxygen starts to oxidize the surface. Fading is often cosmetic (in which case seal coating will bring back the appearance you are looking for), but oxidization can also weaken the driveway, requiring a repair or replacement.
If you are noticing any of these signs, then it may be time to perform some driveway or parking lot repairs, including patching cracks, sealcoating, resurfacing, addressing drainage problems, or getting a replacement. Seek a paving expert to get professional advice, and have your repairs performed early before winter weather makes things worse.
Integrity Paving performs asphalt and concrete repairs for multi-family, retail, medical, office, restaurants, utility districts and other establishments from Austin, TX to Waco, TX. To request a quote, call us at (512) 853-9009.
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