Your asphalt parking lot factors into visitors' first impression of your business, so its maintenance should be a priority. But over time, cracks and potholes will form, creating unsightly safety hazards. To resolve these issues, you might consider parking lot resurfacing or repaving. Find out what each entails and which is right for your situation in the following guide.

Resurface

Parking lot resurfacing adds a fresh, smooth layer of asphalt over the existing lot to restore the surface. It’s recommended when less than 30% of the area is damaged by surface cracks. 

An asphalt professional will first inspect the lot's base to ensure it’s strong. Signs of crumbling or vertical cracking mean that water damage and shifting soil are eroding the asphalt from the inside out. As long as the foundation is firm and the soil below it isn’t shifting, parking lot resurfacing can fix cosmetic cracks, oil stains, and shallow potholes.

Repave

Asphalt parking lots last between 20 and 30 years, depending on how much traffic they experience. For example, those that support heavy hauling vehicles and trucks 24/7 endure more weight stress and will break down faster. If you’re nearing the end of the lot's life span, it may be best to repave because its foundation will continue to deteriorate.

Asphalt professionals will first test the depth and width of cracks and potholes since too much interior damage won’t support a new layer on top. Instead, the professionals will break up and remove these compromised sections and refill the holes with new asphalt. They’ll also fill large cracks. 

To avoid recurring issues, they'll look for the reasons why the surface failed. If the lot has standing water issues, you may need to dig a drainage trench to funnel rainwater off the lot and prevent the soil from shifting.

GMG General can help you decide if parking lot resurfacing or repaving is best for your business. Since 1989, residents of Anchorage, AK, have relied on this asphalt and concrete contractor for a variety of projects, including parking lot paving, driveway construction, and road patching. Explore their full scope of services on their website, or call (907) 349-7854 to request a free estimate.