Your business’s parking lot is the safest and most welcoming when it’s well maintained. You can use it longer before needing parking lot resurfacing or asphalt removal if you perform regular maintenance. Working with a company that offers paving services, follow these tips to keep your asphalt at its best.

How to Maintain Your Pavement

1. Clean & Sealcoat

Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation breaks down the petroleum-based materials that hold asphalt together. Over time, the black surface of the asphalt turns gray, and the material loses its flexibility and cracks more easily. Sealcoating means applying an additional protective layer to the surface of the asphalt to rejuvenate it. This turns it black once again, fills in tiny cracks, and helps maintain its flexibility. Cleaning and sealcoating should be performed about once every three years, starting three to six months after the parking lot’s installation.

2. Repair Cracks Promptly

When cracks get more than about one-eighth of an inch wide, sealcoating can't fill them in. These breaks create a weak spot and will grow larger and spread if not addressed. Scheduling a paving service to fill in cracks as soon as they appear is less costly than waiting until they are larger and harder to repair.

3. Maintain Drainage

Water can seep through the pavement's surface. In cold weather, water can freeze and repeatedly thaw, breaking open cracks in the pavement. In any weather, it can erode the supporting soil under your lot. To avoid this, ensure your parking lot has effective drains and gutters to guide water away and keep drains clear of debris. Watch for areas of the pavement that sag and start to collect water, as they need to be repaired to allow rain to run off correctly.

For top-quality paving services in the Anchorage, AK, area, choose GMG General. Since 1989, they’ve built a reputation for finishing residential and commercial projects on time and under budget. To get a free estimate, call (907) 349-7854. Learn more about their services online.