What homeowners and condo association property managers need to know about parking lot paving.

As an HOA and condo manager, you are responsible for maintaining the streets, parking lots, and walkways of your community. Doing so improves the safety of the residents and increases the chances of attracting new buyers and tenants by high-quality landscaping and scenery of the property. Living in an attractive environment makes both new and existing residents feel safe and excited to call such a scenic location home. Proper care and maintenance of the roads also will reduce the cost of any parking lot paving repairs, both large and minor.

How Pavement Condition Affects Property Value

One of the significant challenges you face as an HOA or condo manager is attracting new buyers, while at the same time, keeping the existing residents happy. Worn out and faded asphalt pavement and concrete lowers the property value, consequently making the residents unhappy when they hit bumps constantly with their cars and have to take more precautions walking across the lot to the sidewalks. However, you can keep the residents’ content by ensuring that the environment is aesthetically pleasing through well-maintained concrete and asphalt paving.

You can show your residents and guests how much you value them by ensuring your parking lot paving has the following features:

• Proper maintenance- As part of your parking lot maintenance procedures, you should ensure that your parking lot paving has visible striping, pedestrian crossing points, and clear handicap accessibility points.
• Smooth and hazard free surface- Schedule asphalt repairs as needed to avoid developing hazardous potholes and cracks in parking lots, sidewalks, and concrete.
• Proper drainage- You should ensure adequate drainage in asphalt pavement and parking lots to avoid damage on any existing cracks, asphalt flaws, and crevices. You can prevent water damage through proper asphalt sealcoating.

Parking Lot Maintenance Practices

Despite their durability, asphalt and concrete paving won’t last forever. However, you can prolong their lifespan by carrying out proper care and maintenance. Common asphalt and concrete services you need to be familiar with include:

• Sealcoating- This is an essential aspect of your regular asphalt care practice and should be completed every 2-3 years. This form of maintenance adds a protective layer on your asphalt pavement, increasing its durability and resistance to ultraviolet rays, heat, run-off water, oil and gas stains, and natural wear.
• Concrete repair- Unlike asphalt, concrete is more permeable and, hence, prone to wear. Consequently, concrete requires more attention as minor crumbling or uneven concrete surface is a safety hazard. Plan for concrete repairs as soon as you notice small damages to prevent them from escalating and getting costly.
• Crack sealing- This is one of the most effective parking lot paving maintenance procedures. Filling any cracks prevents water from penetrating and damaging the pavement.
• Asphalt paving- Although asphalt is durable, it weakens over time, requiring repair services. Have a preventive maintenance plan in place to prolong the life of your asphalt pavement as well as ensuring safety and performance.
• Lot marking- This is a simple process, but it plays a significant role in enhancing the overall look of your parking lot. It involves creating clean, bright, and visible marking in your parking lot to make it easy for guests and residents to use.

How to Maximize the Lifespan of Your Parking Lot Paving

As soon as a parking lot is installed, the material starts curing and the aging process begins. On average, a concrete parking lot lasts for about 30 years while asphalt paving is around 25 years. The best thing you can do is work with a parking lot maintenance and repair company to prolong the lifespan of your asphalt and concrete pavement. The following are signs that you need asphalt and concrete repair services:

Cracks

As your concrete and asphalt paving ages, it starts to develop cracks that need to be sealed or filled. Failure to repair these cracks will result in their growth, making your parking lot look like an alligator skin. When this occurs, the only option is to remove the entire affected surface and lay another one.

Potholes

Having potholes in your parking lot is not only an eyesore but also a safety hazard to drivers. They occur due to contraction and expansion of the ground below your parking, which happens after weather changes. Water seeps through the cracks in pavement and settles underneath.

Consequently, the paving material and soil over the void will breakdown creating a pothole. Proper parking lot maintenance services should prevent this from happening.

Faded Parking Lot Surface

Your parking lot surface fades over time, mainly due to prolonged ultraviolet exposure. Conventional seal coating delays the damage, but you need to resurface the pavement when it’s no longer sufficient.

Choose the Right Asphalt and Concrete Paving Company

With 50 years of experience, ACPLM offers the best parking lot paving services for HOAs and condo associations. Our services range from new pavement installation, asphalt repair, concrete repair, seal coating, parking lot striping, or any other parking lot maintenance services. Contact us today at 813-633-0548 to schedule a no-cost consultation!