You’ve heard of the phrase “curb appeal.” It’s bandied about in all the latest home and garden magazines and reality TV shows. But curb appeal doesn’t just extend to the facade and landscaping of a business or home—the state of your concrete and asphalt play a huge role in this, as well. Where’s the curb appeal without the curb?
Like it or don’t, a prospective customer, tenant, or homeowner will judge your business based on any number of things, not least of which is the appearance of your drives and parking lots. If your asphalt is in disrepair, what kinds of associations do you think they’re making about your business or neighborhood?
Curb appeal aside, there’s also significant wallet appeal to performing seasonal and preventative maintenance. Tiny cracks, left to their own devices, have a tendency to become much bigger, more hazardous, very expensive problems down the road (no pun intended). Proper maintenance can also significantly extend the life of your pavement. Take a little time to identify and fix potential problems now, and you could end up saving yourself a lot of hassle in the future.
Check your pavement seasonally
Each season brings along its own particular set of issues. Even here in California, where our weather is less extreme than in other areas of the country, shifts in temperature and precipitation can and do affect our pavement’s infrastructure. Asphalt that cools and warms with the outside temperature can form cracks, making it easier for water to seep in and erode the sub-surface layers. Air gaps end up forming under the pavement, which can cause potholes and other serious problems.
Consider taking a stroll around your neighborhood or parking lot and take note of the condition of the pavement.
Here are a few things to look out for:
- Any cracks larger than ¼ inch—they’ll just keep getting bigger. Trust us.
- Potholes—dangerous for cars and pedestrians, alike!
- Oil stains—the chemicals in many automotive fluids can accelerate the deterioration of your asphalt.
- Areas where water tends to pool—like we said, water is one of your pavement’s greatest enemies.
- Areas where pavement is unlevel—could be an indication of serious underlying issues.
- Faded paint and parking lot striping—one of the best ways to revamp your parking area is to apply a fresh coat of paint.
Here are some things you can do to prevent major problems later:
- Have your asphalt sealcoated every 4-7 years. This helps keep water from penetrating the surface and protects the pavement from extreme temperatures.
- Have cracks and holes repaired immediately. Not only are they ugly, but they’re a hazard to pedestrians and drivers and will definitely worsen over time.
- Remove oil stains, or have severely stained sections replaced.
- Mark any trip hazards clearly with brightly colored spray paint until you can get them repaired.
- Schedule regular asphalt maintenance to prevent any further damage or liability.
If you’d like assistance identifying, troubleshooting, or repairing any of your pavement issues, give us a call! We can help put together a tailor-made preventative maintenance plan that takes into consideration your specific needs, budget, and long-term goals.
