Should You Replace Or Repair Your Cracked

Asphalt Parking Lot?

Many people have asphalt parking lots finally become cracked at some point. If you do not take care of these cracks quickly, they will just spread and become worse. The question is not whether you should deal with your cracked asphalt
parking lot or not. It’s how you should deal with it. It can be difficult to know when you should replace or repair your cracked parking lot. This article will provide you with more information that will help you make this decision. To learn more, read on.

Types of Asphalt Damage Asphalt Cracking

Rutting

Asphalt cracking is the most common type of asphalt damage. It can occur due to tree roots coming through the pavement, exposure to inclement weather, or even seismic activity if you live in a susceptible area. A few minor cracks are not a big deal, as long as you keep an eye on them. If your parking lot is severely cracked, you should contact a professional.

Rutting is less common than cracking, but it is still quite common. It occurs in high traffic areas in the parking lot where the passage of many cars leads to ruts in the asphalt. If these ruts are left untreated, they can begin to collect water. If you live in a place with very acidic rain, this water may eat through the asphalt.

Types of Commercial Asphalt Repair

Crack Sealing

Seal Coating

Crack sealing is fairly self-explanatory. It involves the application of a foam or liquid to fill up the crack. This will prevent dirt and water from getting in underneath the asphalt and wreaking havoc. Different asphalt repair companies
use different fluids for crack sealing.

Even if your asphalt parking lot is not yet showing signs of damage, it may be a good idea to get a seal coating. This can prevent or reduce the risk of damage from the elements to your asphalt parking lot. It can increase the life of your parking lot by years.

Commercial Asphalt Resurfacing

Mill & Resurface

If your parking lot has sustained severe damage, you may need resurfacing. Contact a professional and ask them about resurfacing. This will involve adding 1 and 1/2 to 2 inches of fresh asphalt over the damaged asphalt. This is possible if the existing asphalt is damaged, but still structurally sound.

Milling and resurfacing is similar to simply resurfacing, but it also involves removing the top layer of asphalt. This is generally carried out if the top layer of asphalt is too damaged to simply be resurfaced. Of course, the asphalt still must be structurally sound. Otherwise, it will need to be completely replaced.

When It’s Time To Replace the Asphalt

You may initially prefer simply repairing the asphalt to replacing it because of the lower cost and shorter period of time required. However, if the asphalt is too damaged to be safely repaired and you do repair it anyway, it will simply develop problems again and need to be repaired shortly. When the asphalt is no longer structurally sound, it is time for it to be replaced. It can be difficult for a layman to determine whether the asphalt is structurally sound or not. This is why a professional should be called in for an inspection. They have no doubt worked on many asphalt parking lots, so you should listen to them if they say the asphalt needs to be replaced.