Winters in Ohio can be hard on asphalt paving in Columbus. The thawing and freezing process, salt and movement of the soil can shift and crack your parking lots. Left untreated, a parking lot can over time become a hazard as drivers try to dodge many potholes. If treated properly, your parking lot can last many years. As cracks develop fillers need to be poured into them, preventing water from seeping under the pavement. Once the water flows into the cracks and then freezes it expands, widening the cracks. After a while, the cracks grow deeper and wider, allowing for more water to creep under the asphalt. Once this happens a spider web of cracks will appear. As they deepen, stones of asphalt will dislodge and create a pot hole. Left uncorrected, the damage becomes more costly to repair. Filling cracks is less costly than patching potholes.
Maintenance is an on-going process that keeps your parking lot surface in good condition. Having an annual inspection for cracks, and follow up of filler and sealant can save you thousands of dollars over time. Done properly, cracks should be filled starting at 1/8″ with a hot poured rubberized crack filler. This will keep the damaging water out, preventing further deterioration and possible need for patching. Over time Asphalt will fail and need to be replaced or resurfaced. You can slow that process down with proper maintenance.
As a business owner you work hard for your money and want it to work hard for you. One of the ways you can ensure that the money spent on your parking lot is spent wisely is through maintenance. Cracks left unchecked, turn into spider-webs or shattered areas. As the shattered areas are left unfilled, stones come out forming pot-holes that are dangerous to not only the vehicles your customers drive, but potentially pose dangerous conditions for your customers as they walk into your place of business. Children used to have a saying “step on a crack, break your mother’s back”. While not quite that dramatic, cracks in your pavement are dangerous. Slight upheavals and holes in the black-top can be accidents waiting to happen. Left unchecked they are also more costly to repair. Taking care of the little cracks before they become large potholes, will help your asphalt paving in Columbus last much longer and makes good business sense.
