For many businesses their image is based on appearance and one of the first things that people see when driving up to a business is the parking space. Many parking and driving areas use asphalt. Asphalt is an amalgamation of tar, pitch or a petroleum substitute along with an aggregate such as pea gravel. This combination, when properly packed and surfaced, provides a durable area for vehicles to drive over. As a benefit, the surface is strong enough to handle the weight of a vehicle for many hours without damage.
Over time, the surface will wear and require parking lot repair and maintenance in Columbus. Simple repairs such as crack filling and seal coating are actually important maintenance steps because they protect the surface from excess water. If the pavement is able to shed water quickly, then the seal coating has done its job. Larger repairs such as patching may require a bit more effort. First, the hole must be cleaned and filled. The more loose debris that is removed, the more likely the new asphalt will be to bond properly. The next step is to pack the fill tightly. With a large hole, it may be necessary to apply these steps in layers so the space is filled thoroughly and the asphalt is packed along the edges.
One of the primary concerns with asphalt is how long the surface will function before an overlay is required. Asphalt wears down over time due to the number of vehicles that pass over it and the effects of nature. Water is a common concern because the force of water can erode the surface and damage the edges of the asphalt. Tasks like catch basin repair and application of an overlay can help.
An overlay is kind of like resurfacing the except the overlay is thick asphalt. This allows the surface to remain strong. Plus, removing part of the old surface is usually a necessity. This part of parking lot repair and maintenance in Columbus usually requires one-half to one inch of asphalt to be removed from the top layer. This will leave a nice, stable bed for the new asphalt to lay on. It also helps keep the surface level and smooth.
