Is Now the Time to Repair Your Asphalt Parking Lot?
If your asphalt commercial parking lot has seen better days, you may wonder whether the cooler days ahead will provide a good opportunity to perform repairs before winter. Learn more about whether the upcoming season is the best time to schedule asphalt repairs, as well as some of the steps you can take to make this process as simple and streamlined as possible.
What's the Best Time of Year to Repair Asphalt?
Liquid asphalt performs best at air temperatures between 50–75 degrees Fahrenheit, which can make spring, late summer, and fall the ideal times to work with asphalt parking lots in most parts of the country. To achieve the best results, you'll also want to ensure that the humidity levels are moderate and that the surface of the parking lot is clean and dry.
How Can You Prepare for Asphalt Parking Lot Repairs?
Having your parking lot out of commission for even a few days can disrupt your business, especially if you're open 7 days a week. As a result, it's important to carefully plan and prepare for your parking lot renovation to ensure it goes as quickly as possible, helping you get back to work soon. If you share your parking lot with other businesses, you'll also need to involve them in these discussions as early as possible to avoid any last-minute changes or complications.
First, survey your parking lot carefully to get a good idea of the scope of the project. For minor surface cracks, patching should be sufficient; this quick and easy process can be accomplished in less than a day. But for big holes, crevices, or sunken areas, it may instead be necessary to remove the damaged portions and replace them—or even repave the entire parking lot. An asphalt contractor can give you an estimate of the amount of work your parking lot will need.
Next, plan for a repair time that will be as minimally disruptive as possible. If your business is closed on certain days of the week, these provide a good In other cases, you may want to schedule the repair for a day when you expect little traffic, and customers may be able to find alternative parking (generally avoiding Mondays and Fridays). In some cases, you may even be able to schedule a repair to take place during a holiday—though you may pay a higher price.
Finally, prepare your property before the parking lot paving contractors arrive. Sweep away debris and hose away as many contaminants as you can to provide the asphalt contractor with a good working surface. Your contractor may be able to provide you with additional instructions or directions on surface prep.
