You see it all the time, on roadways and in parking lots – “the swerve” – cars maneuvering around the gaping hole in the pavement. They are avoiding the hole because driving through can wreck a tire rim and/or blowing a tire is dangerous and expensive.
As a Property/Condominium Manager, (you know this…) you have an obligation to ensure the site you oversee is safe. If you think a small crack or a tiny hole in your asphalt/roadway is no big deal, you need to consider that the small cracks and potholes grow; ignore them and the repair will be more expensive – not too mention they can create a liability for the property.
Let’s start with what can cause those large potholes;
- Natural aging of the product – like everything, with age, your asphalt will degrade.
- Drivers – constant use and excessive weight from vehicles as your asphalt naturally degrades. And the biggest cause of potholes…
- Water – When water sits on the parking lot surface and penetrates, it accumulates underneath and settles into the sub-base. As the weather changes, the water contracts and expands and causes damage underneath the asphalt. This eventually pushes to the surface causing it to deteriorate, leaving a large hole in your asphalt. Asphalt Patching is one of the best pothole repair options for water damage.
Potholes, asphalt cracking/breaking is inevitable – we live in Canada where we are exposed to all of the weather elements. So…what can you do?
The best advice we can give, is be diligent. Ensure the grading of the property is allowing the water to drain properly. Ensure you seal the cracks and patch the holes as the occur. These measures can certainly save you money in the long run and increase the longevity of your pavement.
Lastly, develop a maintenance plan and include an asphalt crack sealing and patching in your yearly budget.
If you need help repairing that pothole or sealing those asphalt cracks, we can help.
For a free non-obligation quote, call Superb Property Maintenance today!