DavidIn most cases, the parking lot will most likely be the first thing people notice when entering commercial premises and could pass valuable information depending on how well the parking lot is maintained. For instance, when customers visit your organization and face inconveniences in parking, the organization’s overall image suffers. Today, parking has become a crucial component of any business. As a result, many business analysts have concluded that clients may refuse to do business with organizations that do not have a safe and well-maintained parking lot. The biggest challenges faced in asphalt parking lots include veining and fading, cracking, and potholes.
1- Cracking
Cracking is one of the most frequent issues in asphalt parking lots during the summer. As the asphalt material warms up, it may shrink and expand more than intended, forming cracks. Traffic stress, oxidation, and fatigue are potential causes of these fissures. The sun’s rays may age and damage asphalt by drying out the material and causing oxidation.
Fatigue develops when the asphalt is repeatedly loaded and unloaded, leading to deterioration. Traffic overload occurs when the parking lot is always full, and the asphalt surface cannot support the weight. This leads to the breaking of various sizes and shapes, which can all jeopardize the integrity of the surface.
2- Potholes
Another issue that frequently affects asphalt parking lots in the summer is potholes. A pothole is a patch of pavement that has developed depressions or indentations due to water seeping through the surface and expanding and contracting. As water expands and contracts, the pavement gradually deteriorates and develops potholes under the weight of the moving traffic. Potholes can range in intensity from a modest dip to large crater-like voids. They are brought on by water leaking into surface fissures and fractures. As it sits, the water in the crevices freezes, thaws, expands, then contracts, causing them to grow larger and produce potholes.
The magnitude of these potholes might vary, and they can harm pedestrians and automobiles. While water is the main cause of potholes, other elements like inadequate drainage and poor design and construction have a role. Pavement degradation is accelerated by a buildup of water due to poor drainage. The production of potholes is further increased by poor roadbed design and construction, which can lead to weak spots in the pavement.
3- Fading and Veining
Additionally, asphalt parking lots may have aesthetic problems during the summer, including fading and veining. Over time, the asphalt’s color may fade and lose some vibrancy due to sun damage and severe environmental factors. Veining happens as the asphalt contracts, exposing light and dark patterns due to the material’s expansion and contraction. These effects can impair the curb appeal of an asphalt parking lot by making it appear old and neglected.
The hot summer can cause several issues for asphalt parking lots, including veining and fading to cracking and potholes. While some of these problems might jeopardize the surface’s integrity and safety, others are only cosmetic. To help maintain their asphalt parking lots in top shape throughout the summer, businesses and property owners can take preventative steps like seal coating and pavement maintenance.