Standing Water On My Asphalt Parking Lot

Standing Water On My Asphalt Parking Lot

Standing Water On My Asphalt Parking Lot, Asphalt Pavement SolutionsWater on your asphalt pavement are unwelcome for a variety of reasons. Vehicles driving through the puddles can splash pedestrians, and drivers may not appreciate the dousing that their vehicles receive. During the winter months, the puddles can freeze, making your parking lot hazardous to pedestrians and drivers alike. What you may not realize, however, is that standing water can shorten the life of your pavement. If the water finds a crack or other break in the pavement that it can enter, it may erode the pavement’s base and destabilize it. Potholes, alligator cracking and large cracks can result, leaving you with a costly repair bill.

Standing Water On My Asphalt Parking Lot – Why Do Puddles Form?

Puddles form in pavement depressions that can be caused by a number of different things. Allowing heavy equipment or trucks to drive or park on your pavement can result in depressed areas if your parking lot was not designed to support such loads. Normal wear can sometimes cause ruts to form, or perhaps the asphalt was not properly compacted when it was applied. The soil underneath your parking lot may have subsided or shifted. Your drainage system may be inadequate to handle the volume of rain that falls in your area. A snowplow with an improperly set blade might have taken a chunk of asphalt out of your pavement. Water may have already eroded the pavement’s foundation, allowing the pavement to sink in spots. Neglected oil spills may have softened the asphalt, making it easier for depressions to form. As you can see, your puddling issues could be caused by a number of different factors or a combination of multiple factors.

How Do I Correct the Problem?

Your first step should be to consult a reputable asphalt contractor who can inspect your parking lot to determine what is causing the problem. Based on what he discovers, there are various methods he might use to correct the issue. For example, he might recommend an infrared treatment, which is a procedure that melts the surrounding asphalt so that new asphalt can be mixed in. Patching may also be an option if your problem is confined to small areas. If your drainage is inadequate, he might recommend that you install trench drains or a system of curbs and gutters.

Can Puddling be Prevented?

You can take certain steps to help prevent the formation of depressions that allow water to pool on your pavement.

• Do not allow trucks to drive through your parking lot. Trucks should have a separate access to your loading dock.
• Do not park heavy equipment or trucks on your lot, especially if they must remain stationary for several days. The weight of these heavy loads can deform asphalt, leaving depressions behind.
• Remove oil and other automotive fluids as soon as possible. Establish a schedule for routine cleanings to prevent damage to your pavement.
• Do not leave heavy objects sitting on the pavement for an extended period. If you must use part of your parking lot for palletized materials, for example, move them to a different spot periodically, particularly during the summer months.
• If you have catch basins or storm drains, keep them free from debris. If they clog, water can back up and collect on your pavement.

About Asphalt Pavement Solutions

Asphalt Pavement Solutions offers an extensive range of asphalt-related services to customers throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. We have more than 35 years of experience and are dedicated to delivering the best results at the reasonable prices. Our services include crack and pothole repair, sealcoating, asphalt paving, parking lot markings and bollard installation. You can submit our online form to receive a free quote, or you can call us at 1-800-559-SEAL or 1-856-461-1710.

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