• Keep in mind: Asphalt wears out.
• Your asphalt is a major investment and asset. It should be maintained to prolong the life and wearability. Asphalt kept in good condition not only increases the value of the property, but also helps to eliminate a possible safety hazard.

Points to remember:

• Average life span of asphalt is 15 years.
• Asphalt should be sealed every few years according to use and wear.
• Fixing birdbaths as soon as they appear will lessen the chance of water seeping through to the base and becoming a pothole.
• Asphalt is broken down by oil, gas, transmission fluid and other chemicals. If a piece of equipment or vehicle is leaking, or someone is washing out strong chemicals over the asphalt, it will surely have to be sawcut and repaired.
• All repair work should be sawcut, excavated, tack coated and paved with new hot mix asphalt. Cold patch is temporary at best.
• Leveling to move water is difficult considering the pre-existing design of your parking lot. To insure your satisfaction, the positive flow of drainage should be considered. Also checking the existing and proposed grades is necessary.
• Sometimes simply lowering the grass along the edges of pavement will get rid of standing water.
• Overlaying an existing parking lot needs careful planning. If the existing surface is cracked through to the base, and overlay will show reflective cracking in a short time. Badly cracked areas should be stripped first. All pre-existing problems such as cracking, low spots, poor drainage, and root damage should be resolved prior to paving.
• A preventative maintenance program included in your budget will help keep your parking lot in good shape and minimize your long-term costs.
  
  
  

  Janice M Riley-Potter is the owner of the Paving Lady in the Boynton Beach, Fla