As a property manager, you likely have two goals you would like to meet for your pavement: make it last as long as possible and make it as attractive as possible throughout its life. With year-end looming just over the horizon, you are probably working on next year’s budget and may be trying to determine how to decide the best way to make sure that your budget for your pavement is sufficient to achieve both of your goals. If so, the following tips may prove beneficial.

Budgeting Asphalt Maintenance – How It Works

Make a Visual Inspection

Most often, you can tell what services you are likely to need within the next 12 months by making a visual inspection of your pavement. Here is what you should note:

• The color of the asphalt
• The condition of your markings, such as crosswalks, parking space lines and directional arrows
• Cracks that are more than 0.25 inch
• Potholes
• Crumbling or raveling at the pavement’s edges
• Pools of water standing on the pavement
• Signs of asphalt distress, such as ruts in the traffic lanes or near stop signs
• Patterns of cracks that are interconnected and resemble the scales on a crocodile’s back

Interpret Your Pavement’s Condition

If you noted any issues mentioned above, you should consider having a professional provide remedial services.

• Asphalt should be dark in color. If your asphalt pavement is gray, having it sealcoated can restore its color and increase its visual appeal. Sealcoating will also help protect your asphalt from environmental damage.
• New pavement markings can improve the appearance of your asphalt. If you need sealcoating, the sealant should be applied first.
• Cracks and potholes should be repaired quickly to avoid destabilization of the foundation by water penetration. If possible, have these repairs made before the arrival of cold weather as freezing temperatures can lead to more severe damage.
• Crumbling, crocodile cracking, standing water or pavement distress may require extensive remediation or relatively minor corrections. An asphalt paving contractor will need to examine your site to determine exactly what actions you need to take.

Monetize the Work Needed

If you have recently had work performed on your asphalt pavement by a reliable contractor, you can use the previous bills to arrive at a ballpark figure for your budget. Otherwise, you may need to contact a contractor to provide you with estimates. Although a precise quote requires the contractor to physically inspect your pavement, you may be able to obtain a very rough estimate over the phone or online; if you choose to proceed in this manner, be prepared to provide the contractor with the following information.

• Your pavement’s size or square footage
• The age of your pavement
• The number and approximate size of potholes and cracks
• The date that sealcoating was last applied, if known
• The type and volume of traffic your pavement supports, i.e., passenger vehicles only, heavy volume or mixture of cars and 18-wheelers

Budgets can be stressful, but hopefully, these tips will make it easier for you to define your budget for your asphalt pavement repairs and maintenance. Make sure that you include a sufficient amount, however, because the money you spend to keep your pavement in good condition can save you a substantial amount of money in later years.

Asphalt Pavement Solutions offers an extensive range of paving, repair and maintenance services to customers throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. We have been providing excellent results at competitive rates since 1983. Whether you need bollards, car stops, pavement markings and sealcoating for your parking lot, crack filling or pothole repair, we can help. You can request a free estimate by sending us your information on our online form. If you prefer, you can call us at 1-856-461-1710 or toll-free at 1-800-559-SEAL.