As a facility manager, you know better than to shrug off the details. A close eye is required to ensure your property’s longevity, safety, and functionality – this certainly applies to your facility’s parking lot. Indeed, when your parking lot is next in line for repaving, there’s a lot for you to consider. Let’s go over some important parking lot asphalt paving specifications all facility managers must prioritize.
Parking Lot Asphalt Paving Specifications to Pay Attention to
Proper Drainage and Grading
There’s a lot more to asphalt parking lot paving than just making sure people can easily park their vehicles on your property. If you want your pavement to stand the test of time, you need to think about what’s going on underneath its surface. New England is no stranger to rain, and if your parking lot can’t easily remove water from its surface, you’ll be left with a wet mess that takes a major toll on your asphalt. Put simply, commercial parking lots must be constructed for efficient drainage. As such, asphalt parking lots must retain a 2% of higher slope toward storm drains. Waterproofing parking lot shoulders and adding internal curbs also facilitates drainage. Proper asphalt grading is also necessary to reduce the risk of flooding.
Aggregate Thickness
The overall thickness of your asphalt parking lot is another point of concern. Investing in thicker aggregate material results in a costlier project, but it also provides your parking lot with increased durability and, therefore, a longer lifespan. This level of thickness must also be uniform to ensure long-term strength and stability. Important to note: the subgrade against which the aggregate material is compacted must be properly prepared and unyielding for proper performance.
Parking Angles/Line Striping
Paving asphalt is only part of the bigger picture when it comes to creating the perfect parking lot. Facility managers must also think about how their parking lot is configured after the pavement has dried. More specifically, they must think about parking optimization and safety via line striping. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has specific rules and recommendations for proper parking angles and spacing for different-sized vehicles. It’s important for facility managers to remain aware of these regulations to ensure they provide an efficient and compliant parking design for all occupants.
Project Size and Scope
Facility managers always have to keep costs and schedules in mind, too. The bigger the asphalt paving project, the more expensive and time-consuming – this can pose major problems for a business’ budget and operations. Receiving multiple estimates from local commercial paving contractors and coordinating closely with the best candidate to minimize downtime is key.
Durability
To keep long-term costs low, an asphalt paving parking lot project must be prepared and performed properly with high-quality materials and techniques. Facility managers should only work with reputable asphalt contractors who deliver low-maintenance, long-lasting results. Pay attention to the processes, products, and equipment used. A well-paved parking lot should last at least 25 years with routine maintenance – anything less than that is a liability for your bottom line.
Sweating the Specifics
The details matter, especially when it comes to installing a parking lot that’s built to last and optimized for traffic. You won’t find a more detail-oriented asphalt paving company than Cassidy Paving, which is why we’ve become countless facility managers’ best friends. Call us today at 866-978-9788 to learn why we’ve earned this distinction and to receive a free estimate on your next asphalt project.