For many businesses and retail establishments, the parking area is the first thing people see when entering the premises. A damaged parking lot or access road can ruin a business’s reputation in a heartbeat. Customers don’t like it very much when going to a commercial establishment damages their vehicles. Luckily, an experienced Paving Contractor can help by patching damaged areas, filling in any holes, and resurfacing the asphalt. The latter process is the most crucial step because the asphalt must be milled for the new layer to stick properly. This is mainly because the upper surface breaks down as the asphalt ages, and any oils in the surface area degrade.
Another reason to contact a Paving Contractor is for the protection of the asphalt. This is done by sealing the surface. That simply means the contractor will cover the asphalt with a coating designed to repel water. Water is a solvent, albeit a slow acting one. As such, it gradually wears down parts of the asphalt every time that it rains. Sealing the surface prevents some of these concerns and can even help with reducing potholes and similar problems. Potholes tend to occur when the weight of a vehicle pushes into areas that have weakened from too much water. In the case of a parking area, the water could seep through a crack and slowly saturate the underlying soil. The end result is a soft spot that allows the asphalt to move when weight presses down on it. This causes stress, which then causes cracks and holes.
Eventually, the pavement will fail and need to be replaced. For large jobs, the contractor may need some heavy equipment to break up the area. Eliminating the old asphalt is the first step in a truly great repair. The next is to prepare the remaining surface by grading it where necessary and ensuring everything has an even coating of oils. This gives the asphalt something to stick to and reduces some moisture concerns. Keep in mind that large asphalt surfaces need to have a bit of slope so water can drain properly. An experienced contractor like Colt Concrete & Asphalt can explain how this problem is handled. You can also connect them on Facebook for more updates.