A parking lot that has been freshly paving with freshly-painted parking space lines.

How to Care For a Freshly Paved Parking Lot

A freshly paved parking lot can be a silent salesman for any business. Parking lot paving creates the first impression your customers form of your business and lets them know they’re dealing with a well-maintained establishment. This not only helps customers form a good first impression of your business but also helps business owners by keeping customers safe and protecting businesses from any lawsuits that may arise due to trips and falls in a damaged parking lot. 

Your investment in a newly paved parking lot is an investment that pays dividends in many ways. So how do you care for a freshly paved parking lot to make sure you get the most out of that investment? Stanley Paving offers parking lot maintenance for businesses in Burlington County, NJ, and with our decades of experience, we know what’s needed for proper asphalt maintenance. Here are some tips for caring for your freshly paved commercial parking lot.

Don’t Drive on It Right Away

A new asphalt pavement generally needs about 24 hours to cure. During that time, you should avoid driving on it. However, weather conditions, temperature, humidity, and the thickness of the layers of asphalt can increase the time needed for the asphalt to cure, extending that 24 hours out to 72 hours or even a few weeks. Until the asphalt has fully cured, it’s vulnerable to damage. 

Remove Snow & Ice

Snow and ice can damage a newly paved parking lot. As snow and ice melt, water can seep into the pavement. When the water refreezes, it expands, causing cracks and potentially leading to potholes. Snow and ice buildup should be removed from your parking lot carefully. Avoid using deicing chemicals because they can be harsh on asphalt and cause it to deteriorate quicker. Also, be careful when using snow plows to ensure they are not operated with the blade too low to the pavement. A snow plow blade scraping across your parking lot can cause cracking, gouges, and other types of damage that can be expensive to repair.

Repair Small Cracks & Fissures

Don’t ignore any small cracks or fissures. They may start small but can worsen over time and become significant issues. So it’s necessary to inspect your newly paved parking lot regularly for any cracks or potholes and have them professionally repaired as soon as possible. 

Apply Sealcoat

Sealcoating the surface protects it from the damaging effects of UV rays, water, and chemicals. How often you apply sealcoating depends on several factors, including climate, traffic, and the quality of the initial paving job. On average, you should sealcoat a parking lot every 2-3 years to keep it in good condition and protect it from the elements. But exercise caution when sealcoating since too much can also be bad for a parking lot, building up layers that can make the surface brittle and prone to cracking. To determine the ideal frequency for sealcoating your parking lot, contact Stanley Paving to evaluate your pavement’s specific needs. 

Clean Up Oil & Gasoline Spills

Caring for a freshly paved parking lot means giving prompt attention to chemical spills. Stains from oil, gasoline, and other chemical spills are not only unsightly, but they can also damage asphalt and concrete. Oil and gasoline spills can seep into the asphalt and break down the binder that keeps it together, causing it to soften and deteriorate rapidly. Therefore, gasoline or oil spills should be cleaned immediately to minimize damage.

Avoid Heavy Loads 

Heavy vehicles or loads placed onto the asphalt can damage it before it can fully cure. Keep heavy vehicles or large trailers from driving onto the surface for the first few months. Any heavy loads on pallets that need to be kept in parking spaces should be moved every few days, and you should avoid parking in the same spot every day. 

Drive Slowly

Vehicles driving too fast in a parking lot can cause increased stress on the asphalt surface which causes it to deform, crack, or form ruts. In addition, driving fast on fresh asphalt can scuff, scar, and damage it, causing it to wear down and become thinner over time. To minimize the damage, post speed limit signs in your parking lot or install speed bumps to keep drivers from going too fast. Keeping motorists from speeding can help increase the lifespan of your parking lot. 

Deal With Weeds

You might think weeds are only an issue for lawns and gardens, but they can also present problems when caring for a freshly paved parking lot. Weeds can cause surface damage by breaking through the layer of the pavement. They can also trap moisture in the pavement, leading to water damage and erosion. Therefore, regular maintenance and weed removal are essential to keep weeds from damaging parking lots.

Contact Us for Paving, Repairs & Seal Coating

When it comes to commercial parking lots, having a smooth, well-maintaIned surface doesn’t just look good. It’s also essential for the safety of customers and employees. Stanley Paving is one of the premier black top companies in Burlington County, NJ, with the skills and experience necessary to provide top-quality parking lot paving, repair, and seal coating service to businesses of all sizes. We use the latest equipment and techniques to ensure your parking lot is built to withstand the toughest conditions and daily use. Contact us today to learn more about our commercial parking lot paving and repair services or how we can help you care for a freshly paved parking lot.