Commercial Asphalt Paving Tips
Commercial Asphalt Paving Tips: Keeping your commercial real estate property in top-shape should be a priority, not only for your investment but for your tenants and customers, too. Regular building maintenance can go a long way towards this goal, but you shouldn’t overlook the importance of proper commercial asphalt paving on the premises.
Start With the Right Commercial Asphalt Contractor
Getting the most out of your commercial asphalt paving project means doing the legwork to find the right contractor for the job. Make sure you’re asking these questions:
- How long have you been an asphalt paving contractor?
- What will the asphalt paving project entail?
- Are there any challenges to be aware of?
- Do you have a portfolio and references?
- Can you explain the costs and fees associated with my paving project?
- How long will the project take?
- Where do your supplies and equipment come from?
The answers to these questions will help you make an informed choice that’s best for your asphalt paving needs. While you’re doing your research, remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best. You know your budget and it’s perfectly okay to stick with it; gather several quotes to help narrow down different options.
Plan Ahead for Asphalt Paving
Once you’ve chosen a commercial asphalt paving contractor, talk to them about a schedule for completing the project. Several factors impact timelines, including the type of asphalt, the temperature of the air and ground, and the size of equipment being used. While you can theoretically drive on newly installed asphalt the same day it’s laid, ideally, it’s best to wait a day. Make sure you communicate with your building occupants and customers that they may not be able to access your driveway or parking lots.
Additionally, you’ll need to seal newly laid asphalt after 30 days. Oil in the asphalt slowly oxidizes over time, which is what happens when surfaces slowly turn from black to grey. Sealing asphalt at the right time means it retains the proper amount of oil — which is essentially the “glue” that holds everything together. If you wait too long to seal or don’t seal at all, your asphalt paved surface could break down faster and require costly repair.
Quality Commercial Asphalt Paving Helps Drainage
Without proper drainage, driveways and parking lots on your property will need repairs and maintenance more frequently. This is not only costly for owners, but it can also be a turnoff for visitors looking to protect their vehicles. Standing water can break down asphalt surfaces and lead to cracks and potholes.
Driveways and parking lots with poor drainage will require more frequent repairs and maintenance, and as a business owner, that can be very frustrating. Without proper drainage, you’ll likely see standing water, which has the potential to slowly breakdown and compromise the asphalt surface, leading to cracks and eventually even potholes. This means more money for repairs on a more frequent basis.
Don’t overlook the importance of proper drainage! Even flat paved surfaces need to have at least a 2% slope and a minimum of a quarter-inch crown. That way, water can drain to specified areas — think about adding a stormwater basin or rain garden to collect that precious resource.
Proper Commercial Asphalt Paving Saves Maintenance Costs
Appropriate asphalt installation is directly related to the longevity of your surface. Along with ensuring your contractor chooses the right, high-quality materials, compaction and grading are also things your asphalt paver must focus on to extend the life of your asphalt surfaces. Once again, investing in quality can help owners avoid costly repairs or replacements.
Porous asphalt materials — which also allow superior drainage — could even qualify building owners for tax credits. Because porous asphalt is considered a “green” solution, you should check local tax incentives to see if you get a break for making an eco-friendly choice. This will also help you avoid further water management costs and even boost your landscaping efforts by re-allocating that drainage water for irrigation.
Top-notch commercial asphalt pavers will also provide quality maintenance for your asphalt surface, especially if they were the same team that installed it in the first place. They already have the lay of the land and are familiar with the processes and methods your asphalt surface requires to stay maintained. Maintenance tasks should include regular sealcoating, crack fills, pothole repairs, and debris cleaning.
From the early planning stages to completion, asphalt paving projects take a lot of work to get done right. The contractor you choose should provide more than just asphalt and labor. They should also have well-maintained equipment (plus spare machines) and well-trained, safety-conscious work crews. Is your focus is on quality and dependability? At Leritz Busy Bee we have earned a solid reputation you can trust.