If you are a property owner with any sort of asphalt paving, there are things you should do to keep it safe year-round. Specifically, asphalt potholes can cause a hazard to people and vehicles alike. If you don’t have an asphalt maintenance plan, there are many risks associated with avoiding preventative services. Especially in New England, paving goes through a beating with both the weather and UV ray exposure. If you are a business owner, you should take your asphalt parking lot care seriously to avoid liability issues associated with potholes.
The Downside of Not Getting Potholes Repaired
Vehicle Damage
The number one issue with potholes often arises from the wear and tear of vehicles. According to NAPA, potholes can cause bulging sidewalls, bent or cracked rims, suspension failure, and even misalignment. These are all costly repairs for drivers, and they can choose to seek reimbursement from you, the property owner, to fix these issues. If the vehicle owner makes an insurance claim, you will also be on the hook from the insurance company. This is never a good position to be in as a property owner, which is why addressing your potholes in a timely manner is the best way to avoid this type of liability.
Trip Hazards
Other than the damage it can do to vehicles, asphalt potholes are also a liability for you when it comes to pedestrians accessing your building. Potholes on your commercial asphalt paving can cause a fall to happen to you or your guests at any time. Tripping hazards are too dangerous to ignore. If you have people walking in your asphalt parking lot or industrial lots regularly, you want to keep them safe. Having a pedestrian trip can be disastrous to them and could result in a lawsuit for you. Even small potholes and unevenness can be dangerous for walking. Especially when it comes to having safe sidewalks that pass ADA compliance, ignoring your asphalt maintenance is not only unwise, but it is also illegal.
Steep Costs
If your budget is a high priority for you, surprise costs can be a liability. Unattended potholes often result in hefty repair costs. A small pothole can eventually cause complete disintegration to the subbase that can only be solved with full-depth asphalt replacement. The once minor repair will now be a job that lasts several days or weeks. This can cause disruptions to your daily life as well as productivity if this is a commercial paving lot. If you want to avoid costs that put you in a bind, take care of them before they become widespread.
Get Pothole Repairs
The only way to avoid liabilities for your residential, commercial, or industrial paving is to work with an asphalt paving contractor that understands how to repair potholes seamlessly. Cassidy Paving has served the Massachusetts and New England area for decades, and we know how important safety is. If you need help avoiding fault in accidents or injuries due to holes in your pavement, give us a call today at 866-978-9788 to get a free estimate on asphalt services.