Take a walk around your lot this week. If you see any of these, it is time to call someone. Most of them are quick, low-cost fixes if you catch them early.
1. You can barely see the lines
If people are parking crooked or taking two spaces, your lines are too faded. Fresh striping fixes this in a few hours.
2. The asphalt has turned gray
New asphalt is black. When it turns light gray, the sun has dried it out. That is the best time to sealcoat, before cracks start.
3. You see spider-web cracks
Lots of small cracks in a pattern, sometimes called “alligator cracks,” mean the surface is breaking down. Water gets in and makes it worse.
4. Cracks are wider than a pencil
Long cracks that keep getting wider let water into the base. Crack sealing is cheap compared to fixing what happens next.
5. Puddles hang around after it rains
Standing water means low spots. Water sitting on asphalt slowly breaks it down, and in winter it can turn into slick spots.
6. Potholes or crumbling edges
Potholes damage cars and cause trips and falls, which nobody wants on their property. They also get bigger fast. Get them patched as soon as you see them.
7. Faded handicap spaces or fire lanes
These are the markings inspectors look at first. If your accessible spaces or fire lanes are hard to see, put them at the top of the list.
Small fixes now save big money later
Crack sealing, sealcoating and restriping cost a small fraction of what it costs to tear out and repave. A little care every couple of years can add a lot of life to your parking lot.
Want a second set of eyes? We will look at your lot for free and tell you what needs to be done now and what can wait. Call or text (210) 816-0381.