Why Groundwater Could Impact the Health of Your Gilbert Parking Lot

Why Groundwater Could Impact the Health of Your Gilbert Parking Lot.

Here are just a few of the many ways that ground water can undermine the health of your parking lot or otherwise pose a risk.

Gilbert, Arizona

You might not think that water can do much to harm your parking lot. After all, asphalt is designed to withstand water and other damage. Only the ravages of time or some really huge object like a boulder dropped onto the parking lot could damage it. Right?

Actually, water is one of the biggest threats to the health of your parking lot. That’s why hiring the right Gilbert asphalt contractor is so important. The right contractor will create the right plan for your parking lot paving that will include the proper ground preparation, slope for the pavement, drainage, asphalt mix, and more. If a mistake is made in any of these steps, your parking lot could be weakened and predisposed to lifelong problems that will cost you a mint in repairs.

You can’t take this risk in Arizona, where the monsoon season dumps water across the state every summer and fall. Here are just a few of the many ways that ground water can undermine the health of your parking lot or otherwise pose a risk:

Weakened Surface

Asphalt may seem impenetrable, but it’s not. Water can enter it through the surface, and it can flow underneath the parking lot. That’s something most people don’t think about. The ground below your parking lot seems like an unreachable place. You know there is dirt and rock under there, but you don’t think that anything will ever reach it unless you take a jackhammer to the parking lot and open up a hole.

The truth is that storm water can flow under your parking lot, as well as through the asphalt. The right installation will get rid of air pockets and voids to minimize the flow of water through the asphalt, but some water will always make it through.

Over time, the water will weaken the surface of the asphalt, which will make it more susceptible to water penetration and to damage. You may see only minor cracking, or you may experience bigger issues like potholes or rutting.

Work with your asphalt contractor during the parking lot paving process to make sure that you have a plan for storm water runoff and drainage to minimize these risks.

Ineffective Sealant

Sealing your parking lot is one of the best things you can do to protect it from water damage and other elements. Sealant will prevent the spread of cracks and other problems, and it will give your parking lot a new look.

In order for sealant to be effective, it has to be given time to cure completely. That can be difficult if you are trying to seal your parking in the middle of the Arizona monsoon season. Sure, there may have been a few dry days, but a new storm can come in without warning. Plus, the asphalt has to have several days to dry before the sealant is applied, or else it won’t adhere properly.

You must plan to seal your parking lot well outside the monsoon season and during a time when it will be hot and dry.

Potholes and Alligator Cracks

Potholes and alligator cracks are some of the most common problems for parking lots and asphalt, and they are often caused by water penetration.

Water that gets into the asphalt either by flowing under it or by seeping through the surface weakens the subgrade. The water often travels horizontally to the direction that the pavement was laid, which results in these issues.

Alligator cracks and potholes cannot be repaired by simple crack filling. They indicate major structural problems with the pavement, and they need a full-depth patch at best. However, other repairs may need to be made to prevent the problem from recurring. These are major repairs that will cost a lot of money and take a lot of time to complete

Again, working with a professional asphalt contractor who can get the job done right the first time is the best way to avoid these and other problems. Make sure you do your research to find the best person, and discuss all the details of the parking lot paving plan thoroughly to ensure that drainage, soil preparation, and other important issues are addressed properly.

Safety Issues

Standing water on your parking lot is a huge safety issue — not just for the health of your asphalt. Standing water can cause customers to slip and fall, which can cause serious injury. They can then sue you for failure to create a safe environment.

Standing water can also increase the risk of automobile accidents, which can increase your liability. In a properly constructed parking lot, there should be no standing water. Depressions and rutting appear because the subsoil was not properly prepared and the asphalt does not have a strong enough base. Over time, the asphalt can become uneven, which allows water to pool. Not only does hiring an experienced contractor who can perform the job right save you a lot of money on potential repairs down the road, but it also helps you to avoid liability from accident and injury on your property due to construction error. Hire the right contractor to make sure your business property is a safe and welcoming place for customers and business partners.

Roadrunner Paving and Asphalt Maintenance understands the dangers that water poses to asphalt, and our experienced Gilbert asphalt contractors design a complete site plan that ensures proper drainage, soil preparation, and more for a healthy parking lot that will last for decades to come. We want the only reason that you have to invest in parking lot paving again to be the passage of time, not premature failure because of structural error.

In addition to parking lot paving services, we also offer complete asphalt maintenance, including crack filling and sealing, to add years of life to your parking lot and give it a new look. Contact us today to learn more about our services in Gilbert and surrounding areas and find out how we can help you.

Published By:

Roadrunner Paving & Asphalt Maintenance
1959 S Power Rd, Suite 103-419
Mesa, AZ 85206

Phone: (480) 892-7101
Fax: (480) 892-0772
Email: office@roadrunnerpavingaz.com
Website: http://RoadrunnerPavingAZ.com