An Asphalt Maintenance Guide for Facility Managers

Whether you manage one facility or several, your daily schedule probably contains a lengthy list of things to do and very little free time. As such, it is easy to overlook certain tasks from time to time. It is also easy to become more focused on your interior surroundings, including your office, your available units, or your lobby. When you think about routine maintenance, your first thoughts may go to your HVAC system, elevators, or fire-suppression system. You may also need to devote some time to maintaining your landscaping. However, if you are not planning and executing an asphalt maintenance program, you could be wasting money on preventable repairs.

What Is an Asphalt Maintenance Program?

In broad terms, a paving maintenance program is a plan that lists the different tasks needed to keep your asphalt pavement in good health as well as visually appealing. The type of pavement makes little difference in the procedures needed. However, an asphalt  maintenance program will have a couple of steps that may not be needed to maintain a walking trail or similar pavement.

What Should a General Asphalt Maintenance Program Include?

For pavements that support neither passenger vehicles nor heavy trucks, the following paving maintenance procedures are usually sufficient.

1. Inspections: Inspect the pavement every three to four months. Look for damage that you need to repair, check the pavement’s drainage, and look for signs that the pavement is in distress.
2. Clean: Clean pavements are less likely to suffer damage. Remove trash or other debris that could trap moisture against the pavement or leave stains.
3. Asphalt Crack Repairs: Often, an asphalt contractor can trace the source of a seriously damaged pavement to just a few unrepaired cracks. Timely crack repairs can help prevent potholes and alligator cracking.
4. Sealcoating: Sealcoating enhances traction, makes your pavement more attractive, and protects asphalt pavements against sun damage. You should consult a local asphalt maintenance company to determine the number of coats and the interval between applications.
5. Pavement Markings: If you have painted markings on your trail or path, you want to make sure that they are visible and undamaged. Unless your paving maintenance contractor specifies a different schedule, you should plan to repaint these markings about every three years.

What Tasks Should an Asphalt Maintenance Program Include for Parking Lots?

Parking lots typically receive much more use than any other pavement on your property. This is in terms of volume as well as the weight of the loads. Therefore, an effective parking lot maintenance program should include everything on the above list as well as the following.

1. Asphalt maintenance and sealcoating is normally needed every two years.
2. Parking lot striping and marking is also needed about every two years.
3. Parking lot signage should be inspected regularly. Faded or damaged signs or mounting poles should be replaced as needed.
4. Concrete wheel stops, curbs, and gutters should be inspected. Damaged or misaligned elements should be replaced or repaired promptly.

Affordable Striping & Sealing specializes in maintaining asphalt pavements for commercial properties throughout the Las Vegas Valley. We offer parking lot signage, sealcoating, asphalt crack repair, road markings, and parking lot layout, and we can create a paving maintenance plan that is customized for your specific facility. We also participate in public works projects. We are known for our honesty, superior customer service, and exceptional work. You can request a free job quote by filling out the online form, calling 702-222-9009, or emailing Vegas@AffordableStriping.com.