How to Go About Paving a Parking Lot

When paving a parking lot, a contractor with an excellent track record and impeccable attention to detail must be hired. They should provide references from satisfied customers. The best way to find Asphalt companies is Elk Grove.

Drainage provisions, such as inlets and catch basins, must also be incorporated into the pavement’s design to prevent water from standing at its edges.

Materials

Traditional parking lot construction utilizes two primary materials – asphalt and concrete. The selection will depend upon factors like climate, purpose, and size of the lot.

Due to its durability, concrete pavement is often chosen for high-traffic areas. Unfortunately, however, its cost can be prohibitive for business owners. To reduce expenses when installing new surfaces with concrete paving techniques, it’s essential to build an adequate sub-base first—one that provides a solid foundation while reducing future repair costs.

Asphalt pavement is often chosen for parking lots as a more cost-effective solution than concrete, and it is more flexible and resistant to temperature changes, thus reducing cracking risks. Furthermore, asphalt can be dyed any color you like for added visual appeal over other forms of pavement.

Both materials require proper drainage to prevent pooled and pooling waters from seeping through and eroding the soil underneath them. Most parking lots utilize rain gutters or drains embedded within pavement to collect rainwater or snowfall for draining; other businesses may opt to install porous surfaces, such as gravel or special paver blocks, which allow rainwater to soak through into the ground beneath it.

Properly constructed pavement requires a base layer with a density of at least 5,000 psi to ensure its firm surface will not sink or settle over time. Usually, this layer is placed at the bottom of a pile before asphalt or concrete is poured on top – for future repairs to be minimized, make sure all layers of pavement are held together by tie bars.

Design

Design is critical to the longevity of a parking lot, including consideration of traffic loading, soil-support capability, and material specifications. Consulting with experts will give you more insight into their impact on the design.

An important initial step when designing a parking lot is selecting an appropriate pavement type. Options available to you include asphalt, concrete, and permeable pavers – each has its advantages depending on factors like your parking lot size, budget, and anticipated conditions. Permeable pavers have become increasingly popular because of their ease of installation and reduced maintenance requirements over traditional asphalt.

The layout of parking lot stalls should also be an essential consideration. Stalls should be large enough to accommodate most modern vehicles while still leaving adequate aisle space between them. If your parking lot includes heavy trucks, be sure to include special truck lanes so the pavement can withstand their weight.

Design your parking lot for drainage. Drainage is key to the lifespan of any parking lot, as proper drainage systems direct stormwater away from it and into storm sewers or open drainage channels, thus preventing it from reaching the subgrade and creating cracks in the pavement.

Installation

Step one in paving your parking lot should be to hire a professional contractor who can assess the site and help identify suitable solutions based on factors like its size and location, unique terrain challenges, and other key considerations. The contractor will then provide an estimate for costs and a timeframe for their work.

Once you’ve selected a contractor, they will begin by prepping the area for new paved surfaces. This includes obtaining all required permits and having your utility company come out to mark any buried lines or marking existing asphalt for removal so the new paving can be laid on a strong and secure foundation.

At this phase, contractors will also install any necessary concrete curbs, walkways, or speed bumps if required. Once this step has been completed, they will begin the actual paving process by using a machine that mixes hot asphalt with special rollers to compact it down to help prevent cracking and other forms of surface damage.

After installation, asphalt will be thoroughly inspected to detect any imperfections before sealing and curing are performed to maintain optimal surface condition for as long as possible.

Maintenance

Once the asphalt has been laid, your parking lot should be power-washed and parking space lines painted to improve organization and comply with ADA compliance for customers to navigate more efficiently, and safeguard your investment by preventing dirt, grime, and other contaminants from seeping into its surface.

Crack sealing is another crucial maintenance item for parking lot pavement. Filling cracks as soon as they appear helps protect asphalt and reduce costly repairs by keeping water out. Filling cracks immediately also extends asphalt’s lifespan and improves appearance, thus making asphalt resilient over time and increasing its resilience.

Proper drainage and utility systems are also integral to the longevity of any parking lot. Your paving contractor should install or repair catch basins, inlets, and drainpipes to divert stormwater away from pooling on your pavement and causing permanent damage to it as well as property and surrounding structures.

If your asphalt shows signs of age and wear and tear, such as faded color or deterioration, resurfacing might be in order. Before making this decision on your own, however, consult a reputable asphalt contractor who will conduct an in-depth evaluation to ascertain which course of action would best serve your parking lot.