It is nearing time for area schools to start welcoming students again. As school administrators, the exterior of the school is just as important as the classrooms themselves. In order to keep your students as safe as possible, the parking lot needs to be hazard-free by the time the first school bus arrives throughout the year. Here are the repairs and asphalt services you should consider before the beginning of the fall semester.
What to Know About Repairing a School Parking Lot
Reasons to Repair
Property managers are responsible for providing a safe and functional campus for students and employees of all abilities. Uneven surfaces, parking lot potholes, and cracks present potential hazards and liability issues for the school. You want to keep everyone safe while on school property, and this can only be accomplished by making the appropriate fixes to the parking lot.
Fixing Cracks
Filling cracks is one of the most common and necessary asphalt parking lot maintenance services. Your school sees a large number of many, and this can cause cracks in the blacktop. If repaired quickly, cracks are often no more than superficial issues. The longer you wait, however, the deeper the cracks may become. Another way to address cracks in the parking lot is with an overlay. If the parking lot is in good condition overall, an overlay can be a smart remedy. Not only will this remedy cracks, but it will provide a smooth surface for walking without trip hazards. Overlays are great because they correct any issues on the blacktop and offer seamless connections to sidewalks.
Pothole Repair
After spending a long summer away from campus, you may find several depressions or even just a few deep holes in the parking lot. Asphalt potholes are common, especially as the pavement heats up. Because of the porous material, parking lots can expand and contract as the temperature fluctuates. However, asphalt contractors can fill potholes easily with hot mix, which provides a durable and seamless fix.
Additional Upgrades
Before the first day of school, some cosmetic upgrades should be considered to make the campus safer for everyone. This includes the parking lot stripes. Having the appropriate striping is required by federal law. If your parking lot has not been restriped in several years, chances are your lines are hard to see and can become a hazard, especially on a rainy or snowy day.
You should also take into consideration the number of handicap accessible spaces you have available. While the size of the school helps you determine the number of parking spaces, ADA standards require that for every six parking spots, there is one van-accessible parking space. Parking stripes are critical, but reflectors on the pavement are just as necessary for the safety of those at your school. This can also be a great time to upgrade or add lighting near the parking lot.
Book a Paving Service
It is not too late for public schools or universities to receive the necessary parking lot repairs before the start of school this fall. If you are in the New England area and need asphalt parking lot repair, give Cassidy Paving a call today at 866-978-9788 for a free estimate. We want to help you make your campus as safe as possible so that the school year can go off without a hitch.