In order to maximize the life of your asphalt driveway or parking lot, it is important to develop a pavement management plan involving routine inspections and ongoing preventative maintenance.

Common asphalt maintenance procedures for parking lots:

Patching is a common asphalt repair on areas of pavement with potholes. Potholes occur when water seeps into pavement through unsealed or improperly sealed cracks. When the water freezes, it expands and enlarges the crack. When the ice under the pavement melts, a void is left. Surrounding pavement falls into the void and forms a pothole.

As asphalt pavement progresses through its performance lifecycle, its appearance diminishes over time. Fine hairline cracks spread and deepen within the asphalt. Without ongoing maintenance, water may enter through cracks and holes may form, undermining the substrate. In this case, the most effective form of repair is to remove and replace the deteriorated area.

Asphalt Resurfacing In more severe cases of asphalt failure, a long-term and cost-effective solution is to resurface the asphalt pavement (also referred to as overlay). If you notice grade depressions (standing water on the pavement) and/or large sections of alligatored areas (interconnecting cracks forming a series of blocks resembling an alligator’s skin), it is a good idea to have your pavement resurfaced.