Construction & Contractors Blog
If your grocery store parking lot is faded and cracked, you may be wondering if it's time to have a new lot installed. A grocery store gets a lot of vehicle traffic, so your parking lot will wear down at some point. Plus, exposure to the sun and rain takes a toll too. However, you might avoid the disruption and expense of installing a new parking lot if you have your current lot resurfaced. Here's how to tell if resurfacing is right for your situation and an overview of how it's done.
Damage To The Lot Should Be Minor
Damage to the parking lot has to be repaired before the asphalt is resurfaced. Otherwise, the new asphalt will eventually develop the same damage. Narrow and shallow cracks can be filled in and sealed. Small patches of crumbling can be repaired or cut out and replaced. Small potholes can be filled in too.
However, if your parking lot has extensive crumbling or deep cracks, the paving contractor may recommend reconstructing the parking lot rather than resurfacing it so your lot will last for years under heavy traffic from shoppers.
The Underlying Base Should Be Stable
Your contractor may take core samples from your lot to make sure the underlying base is stable. When you have a parking lot resurfaced, the very top of the lot is removed and a couple of inches of new asphalt is applied.
If the base isn't stable or if there is a drainage issue, these problems will affect the resurfaced asphalt too. However, if the base is still in good shape, resurfacing could be the ideal way to get your parking lot in good condition and get several more years of life from it.
Resurfacing Starts With A Plan
Work on your parking lot may be an inconvenience, but the work goes fast and it's worth it so customers have a safe place to park. The asphalt contractor will develop a plan that includes working on sections of the lot at a time and designating parking areas so your customers can still park and shop in your store.
Once one section is complete and ready for traffic, a different part of your lot is resurfaced. Some of the most disruptive work may be scheduled for times when business is light, such as early morning or evening.
Resurfacing Makes Your Lot Look New
Before the new asphalt is applied, the top layer of old asphalt is removed so the lot doesn't gain height. The new asphalt is applied and allowed to cure. When the entire lot is finished and stripes are added, your parking lot looks brand new even though the base and bottom layer of asphalt are older.
If you care for the lot by sweeping it occasionally and filling cracks when they appear, the new layer of asphalt should last for many years. Contact an asphalt pavement resurfacing service to learn more.
Share23 April 2020
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
