Author:One Stop Asphalt

September 26, 2018 In Crack Filling By One Stop Asphalt

3 Ways Parking Lot Pothole Repair is Important for Your Business

Your business’ parking lot will typically be the first experience customers have with your store. You want to make a great first impression, and that means filling in potholes in your parking lot as soon as they develop. Potholes can lead to more accidents, increase the rate of tire repair and disrupt vehicles’ suspension systems. They are more hassle than they are worth, and if left untreated, they can seriously hurt your business in more ways than one. Here are the reasons you do not want to delay asphalt parking lot repair.

1. Your Business Saves Money

Small businesses, in particular, may not have a ton of money to spend on additional expenses. When a pothole forms, some business owners may think they can ignore it to save money for their physical business. However, a pothole is an early indicator that there are other issues with the asphalt lurking beneath the surface. It will cost you some money to repair asphalt in Phoenix, but you will spend even more if the damage extends to the foundation. Ultimately, you save money in the long run by reacting to issues as soon as they appear.

2. Your Business has Greater Curb Appeal

You want to do more than simply make the exterior of your business appealing to increase curb appeal. You also need to make it abundantly clear from the start you care about your customers’ safety. If customers have to drive across various potholes to get to a parking spot, then they will naturally think your business is not responsible. Their first visit may be their last. Even if you have to close off the parking lot temporarily to deal with the issue, customers will appreciate your prompt action.

3. You Limit Liability

Potholes are a severe safety hazard. Potholes can increase the risk of a car accident, and even a fender bender can result in serious injuries to all parties involved. Additionally, pedestrians may trip over the pothole and get hurt. It is your property, and if anyone, including an employee, sustains an injury then you could face a lawsuit. You can limit your liability substantially by promptly repairing any potholes.

One Stop Asphalt has been reworking Phoenix roads for over a decade now. We offer a variety of asphalt services from filling in cracks to removing old asphalt efficiently. Small business owners who presently have parking lots with potholes need to contact us immediately. Send us a completed online form letting us know what you need, and we will provide a thorough solution.

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August 23, 2018 In Crack Filling By One Stop Asphalt

Best Times of the Year to Have Work Done on Your Parking Lots

Your parking lot needs regular maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you should schedule a repair job as soon as you notice the first signs of cracking. There are times of the year when Arizona weather is pretty uncooperative for a parking lot repair. Before you schedule one of our repaving, seal coating or crack filling services, consider the timing.

Summer and Winter Paving

While the summer months are ideal for paving in areas like the Mid-West, Arizona summers are not welcoming for laying asphalt or putting down a seal coating. When the temperatures get too hot, it can prevent your asphalt from setting correctly, the same way that cold weather will impact a setting in the winter. For the best results, you should try to avoid asphalt repair in Phoenix when temperatures are below 50-degrees and higher than 100-degrees. Remember, temperatures in the three-digits make for an intensely hot ground, especially when the asphalt sits under full sunlight all day.

Lots of Rain Means Less Time for Drying

One of the most significant stopping points for laying asphalt is rain, but with an annual average of only 36 days a year with precipitation, that’s not as much of a concern in Phoenix. A quick check of the expected weather that week should reveal any potential problems well in advance. You only need a day or two of dry weather to let the surface dry, so rainfall is one issue that doesn’t hold a lot of water when planning your parking lot repair in Phoenix.

Spring and Fall for Best Paving

When searching for the best time of year to pave a parking lot, you want cool to warm, dry weather. Since Phoenix has precisely that for more than half the year, you have plenty of opportunities to get your asphalt repair done. If all you need is a seal coating, you can even work in slightly cooler temps, so warmer days during the winter would be fine. The base layer needs that warmer weather, so if you need a complete repaving, you’ll want to wait until the weather warms up. For crack filling, plan to have your lot assessed anytime after the weather breaks.

If your Phoenix parking lot needs a round of maintenance, contact us at One Stop Asphalt. Our expert technicians will get you on the schedule for necessary repairs or a complete repaving.

June 14, 2018 In Removal & Replacement By One Stop Asphalt

The One Stop Asphalt Solution

Updated: August 29, 2021

Asphalt Paving in Phoenix

Asphalt is an excellent paving material, but like any other construction project, maintenance is critical for exceptional performance. Even the best asphalt needs repairs on an ongoing basis. Remember that your asphalt takes a beating, even when there are no cars or trucks on the surface. High temperatures, poor drainage, and utility cuts can all cause damage that you need to address. Cracks, and eventually potholes, develop when the surface of your paving weakens over time. Seepage from water and the cumulative weight of the vehicles using the surface add up to hairline cracks which grow. Those small, hairline cracks widen and deepen, ultimately destroying the integrity of the surface and leading to costly repairs. When caught early, maintaining your asphalt can be affordable and part of general maintenance in Phoenix.

Filling in the Cracks

Cracks come in a range of shapes and sizes, all from different causes and with unique fixes. Both slippage and fatigue cracking is usually the result of the amount of weight and traffic on your paved surface. For longitudinal, transverse or edge cracking, shrinkage could be the culprit. In some instances, poor paving results in an insufficient bond between pavement layers, which can show up on the surface over time. When the cracking is merely due to use, you need to jump on the repair. A quick fix helps keep water out of the underlayer and seals out dirt and debris that can cause more damage to your Phoenix asphalt cracks.

When to Tackle Crack Filling

Seasonality is essential when laying asphalt. In the summer, cracks are at their smallest, while in winter they expand to their most significant width. Both of these times are not ideal. You want to tackle your repair job during the spring or fall when the cracks are in the middle of their size range. This prevents overfilling in winter and underfilling in summer.

Surface Sealing for Hairline Cracks

When the cracks on your asphalt surface are tiny and not very deep, you don’t need to do traditional patches. Instead, a surface overlay is a great way to seal up any cracks and keep your pavement at optimal performance. Surface sealing must be fluid enough to fill in those hairline cracks. That is what makes a surface overlay such a practical choice when dealing with regular wear and tear to your asphalt.

Larger Cracks and Paving Problems

Some cracks not only grow larger, they indicate a problem with your paving. When the underlayment doesn’t have good drainage or the joins need repair, filling in cracks may not be the best solution. When you have a paved surface that regularly develops cracks, it might be time to look at Phoenix pavement removal and replacement. After all, you don’t want to spend more than needed to maintain your pavement.

When is Removal and Replacement a Good Idea?

When your pavement gets a lot of heavy use or handles industrial vehicles, it needs to be in top condition. Potholes and cracks can leave you open to liability claims if a driver damages their vehicle in your lot. Cracks will eventually turn into potholes as moisture, and environmental conditions conspire to weaken the surface. Consistent cracking, beyond hairline cracks from regular use, may indicate an issue with the paving material or site preparation. If your pavement has a substantial edge, longitudinal, reflection, or slippage cracking, you may need to replace the entire surface to fix the underlying issue. Each of these cracks can crop up when there is a problem below the surface.

The Ultimate Solution to Paving Problems

Weather changes and use will erode the condition of your pavement, but when it is installed properly, you only need general maintenance. When the original paving material is weak, drainage is insufficient, or the ground is not properly compacted, you can see the cost in a creeping crack fill expense line. By taking up the existing compound, assessing the ground and making any needed changes, you can get a solid surface that is ready for the hard use of a commercial parking lot.

In some cases, the existing asphalt can be reused as part of the new surface. As it is lifted and broken up, the pieces can be ground and melted down into the new paving material. By reusing the asphalt, you can reduce the total cost of the removal and replacement in Phoenix.

At One Stop Asphalt, we can quickly assess your paving needs and recommend the maintenance option that is best for your parking lot. When an overlay is enough, we can pour a smooth surface. When the substrate needs work, we can handle the hurdles of full removal and replacement.