Parking lot paving is a necessary service for many businesses and organizations in the Nashville area. Maintaining a safe and attractive parking lot free of potholes and other damage is essential. Paving a parking lot in Nashville requires the expertise of a professional contractor who is experienced in the local climate and terrain. This is because the hot and humid summers and cold winters can cause a lot of wear and tear on the asphalt surface. The contractor must be familiar with the best materials and techniques for the job, as well as the local regulations and safety protocols. They should thoroughly understand the different types of asphalt, including hot mix asphalt, warm mix asphalt, and cold mix asphalt, and be able to determine which type is best for the job. Additionally, it is essential to understand the differences between the two types of asphalt, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. This blog will cover everything you need about parking lot paving and the repair and maintenance services required to keep your lot in the best condition possible.
What are things to consider before paving a parking Lot in Nashville?
Before asphalt paving in Nashville, attention to the following list can help you avoid common mistakes that will cost you extra time and money.
- Moisture – Moisture is the primary cause of damage to asphalt. To minimize the potential effects, it is ideal for undertaking the project when rainfall is most frequent. Also, proper drainage is indispensable to keep water from the pavement and prevent pooling or standing liquid.
- Maintenance – Before the construction of any project, we review our maintenance plan, even though most of our clients do not consider such until after the paving has been completed. We do this to ensure that everyone is aware of the necessary steps to ensure a lasting and high-quality surface that will continue to serve them for up to two and a half decades.
- Prepare the Site – It is essential to start with a stable sub-surface layer for an asphalt road to endure the test of time. In the area of Nashville, compacted gravel and soil are essential, given the cold temperatures that lead to sensitive frost-prone grounds. Our specialists can replace unsuitable materials with superior subgrade soils to ensure strength, drainage, and defection against frost damage.
- Anticipate Vehicle Weight or Traffic Loading – What kinds of automobiles can you anticipate to occupy your car park? If it’s a limited area, we advise asphalt layers strong enough to bear in mind light cars and vans. For parking lots that take care of hefty commercial vehicles, coaches, and other big trucks, we will have a thicker area to hold up against the weight of the massive vehicles. Traffic loading is crucial to asphalt design and durability.
- Which mixture is best for your project? – Mixing aggregates, liquids, and additional components facilitates the production of asphalt and gives one the flexibility to select an optimal composition depending on the application. In the case of car parks, the combination should be finely graded, blocking moisture out and producing visually pleasing and even pavement.
Is paving a parking lot a capital expenditure?
Regarding parking lots, the IRS has revised its improvement rules for tangible personal property. Generally, repair work expected to be repeated within ten years should be expensed, whereas uncommon tasks may be capitalized. As an illustration, sealing the pavement on an annual basis should be treated as a cost, while milling and resurfacing are eligible for capitalization.
What are the benefits of parking lot paving?
Investing in parking lot paving is a great way to make the most of a necessity for many businesses. This type of investment will bring long-term benefits and can be quickly recouped. Before customers even walk into your building, they have judged you based on the state of your parking lot – so it is vital to make sure it reflects positively on your business.
If the asphalt pavement does not appear attractive, here are some of its benefits:
- Versatility – Irrespective of the magnitude of your business, asphalt can be advantageous. It can be used for paths, motorways, parking lots, and even track beds, which offer a secure foundation for speedy commuter trains or bulky freight. Asphalt pavement is also used to store water, inhibit flooding, and block erosion.
- Safety – The evenness of asphalt surfacing provides a firm grip for automobile tires on the road. The permeability of open-graded asphalt permits liquid to flow directly through it and away from the sides, lessening the splattering from moving vehicles. This decrease in fluid furthermore decreases the chances of ice accumulating during the winter season and thus reduces the probability of people slipping and falling on your property. Additionally, asphalt secures greater frictional control and offers more noticeable lot demarcations.
- Noise Reduction – In short, asphalt leads to a much quieter environment. Comparing a parking lot with asphalt to one without, noise decreases by 50 percent or three decibels.
- Sustainability – Reusing and renewing asphalt is a cost-effective measure that saves parking lots from needing new materials, making it one of America’s most recycled products.
- Longevity – When asphalt surfaces are given proper upkeep, their lifespan will be prolonged, and you save on overall costs. Maintenance tasks include Sealcoating to ensure resistance to UV radiation, moisture, and other contaminants, Crack filling, and Pothole repair to check any potential damages from augmenting, Sweeping, and cleaning to keep the asphalt in excellent condition.
- Timely – Asphalt can be put in place swiftly and calls for little sustenance, helping you maintain your parking lot accessible to patrons.
- Increased Property Value – Improving your property’s exterior can increase value by up to five percent. Going green using porous asphalt can save money on installation and boost your property value through curb appeal and green infrastructure.
How do you pave a parking lot?
Constructing a car park or resurfacing an existing car park is a substantial expenditure in terms of time and money.
The asphalt paving procedure requires numerous actions to be taken so that the finished product is long-lasting and maintained.
Parking Lot Paving Process
- Preparation/Permits/Mark-out – Any reputable contractor will take all the initial steps to guarantee no hold-ups from the beginning. Between signing the contract and work commencing, your contractor should call for any permits (to keep your town happy) and get a full utility mark-out on the property. We also like to see your existing parking lot after a rain storm to see any standing surface water so we can fix the sub base.
- Milling of Existing Surface (If needed) – To create a good foundation for a new asphalt installment, any pre-existing asphalt must be removed down to the subgrade. A bobcat or milling machine removes the old asphalt and takes it to a recycling center. Subsequently, authorization will be requested before any additional work is initiated.
- Grading and Base Materials – Having a sound sub-base is paramount for the success of your asphalt installment. If the sub-base isn’t firm, the parking lot will suffer. Base materials must be appropriately installed; there is no room for error.
On-site analysis of the foundation materials during installation will be conducted continuously to guarantee they are packed down effectively. If any weak points are identified, we will contact you with solutions to maintain the structural strength of the construction.
A leveler is used to verify that the slope is accurate to guarantee that the water drainage is operated suitably once the paving is accomplished.
Depending on the distinct project demands, a binder layer may be essential. A binder layer is placed between the foundation and surfacing material, additionally employed in any cut-out maintenance conducted prior to the surface mixture being set up.
- Installation of New Asphalt – The top layer of asphalt is ready to be added. Tennessee has distinct asphalt mixtures stipulated by TDOT, including TDOT I-5 and TDOT I-4. TDOT I-5 is typically used for commercial asphalt parking lot paving in Tennessee, while the heavier-duty TDOT I-4 is mainly used on roadways. TDOT I-4 is the chosen mix for locations prone to heavy traffic, such as loading docks in the back of shopping malls and industrial parks. The hot asphalt is delivered from a nearby asphalt plant and then transferred to an asphalt paving machine via a dump truck.
- Compaction of Asphalt – The asphalt is then solidified using a selection of asphalt vibratory rollers of varying sizes, from 3 – 10 tons. This is the concluding step in the asphalt paving method.
- Pavement Marking – Completing the asphalt paving work with suitable markings is the last component. Designing the lines and spaces of your car park is one of the primary things customers spot. This is even more relevant with the presence of multiple SUVs. Keeping the parking lot clean and marked provides an excellent initial perception. We offer a comprehensive range of services including line striping and traffic signs to suit any project size.
Parking Lot Repair and Preventative Services
Now that you know about parking lot paving in Nashville, TN, you must understand the importance of regular maintenance and asphalt repair. Your parking lot will quickly become dangerous to drivers and pedestrians without proper care and upkeep. To ensure your parking lot is safe and in good condition, it is essential to have regular repair and paving maintenance done. The following are the most common parking lot repair and preventive services:
- Regular Inspections – Carrying out assessments regularly is vital for taking care of parking lots. Fixing minor fractures or eliminating oil spots can prolong the longevity of your asphalt.
- Ensure Proper Drainage – A drainage system is another critical aspect of following a maintenance plan. Standing water can cause long-lasting damage, including cracks and potholes. Installing a drainage system is essential in avoiding these problems and saving money on expensive maintenance and repairs in the long term.
- Fill Cracks – Cracks will eventually develop over time due to age. These cracks can be wide-ranging, whether transverse, longitudinal, or minor block cracking. Repairing cracks as soon as possible is critical in avoiding additional damage to your parking lot.
- Remove Debris – Disorganized items in your parking lot can negatively affect the visual presentation of your company. Utilizing a broom or pressure washer quickly and easily enhances the physical appeal of your business.
- Parking Lot Sealcoating – An ideal approach towards sustaining the lifespan of asphalt is sealcoating a parking lot. Sealcoating provides a modernized look which boosts the visuals of the parking lot and reduces the risk of water weakening the asphalt. This will improve the attractiveness and deliver a desirable look to the exterior.
- Hot Asphalt Patching – Heating asphalt to a high temperature of up to 350°F is an effective way to fill in gaps, provide protection from water or other external damage, and lengthen its lifespan. Regular maintenance can help preserve roads, parking lots, and driveways, sparing the cost of future repairs.
- Infrared Asphalt Repair – is an innovative technology that can help extend the life of asphalt surfaces. This method of repair uses infrared technology to heat the asphalt, allowing it to be worked on without tearing up the existing surface and providing a seamless finish. This process is much more efficient than traditional methods of resurfacing lots, which require the removal of the existing surface, the installation of a new layer, and the compaction of the new layer.
- Clean Up Oil Stains – Oil spots show unsightly blemishes on asphalt roads. If left unattended, these oil patches can harm your pavement and lead to destruction in the long run.
- Reroute Traffic – Rotating the setup of your parking lot periodically limits wear and tear. These preventive measures are an intelligent approach to taking pressure off your parking lot.
- Maintain Landscape – Continuously maintaining the area adjacent to your parking lot is paramount to extending the durability of your pavement. Installing edging around the flower beds is of the utmost importance in averting dirt from producing erosion difficulties for your parking lot.
- Parking Lot Striping – It is essential to redo the parking lot’s striping every 1.5 to 2 years to uphold safety and proper parking lot care. Fresh and bright lines will make the lot look more respectable, as well as in the fulfillment of ADA requirements. These stripes involve yellow curbs, white, blue, and red lines on the blacktop, concrete, fire lanes, directional arrows, signs, and unloading locations for handicap-accessible spaces and signage.
- Parking Lot Resurfacing (Asphalt Overlay) – is a process used to restore the surface of an existing asphalt pavement. It is an economical and efficient way to extend the life of an asphalt surface and improve its appearance. The process involves the application of a thin layer of asphalt over the existing surface.
About Gaddes Startegic, LLC
Gaddes Strategic, LLC focuses on providing a great customer experience. Our contractors concentrate on all projects as if they were their own. We take pride in answering all questions and providing all the information needed to provide an excellent solution for your parking lot repair needs. We service all of Davidson County and surrounding areas by providing various options to make the right choice for your needs. Our pavers work with the latest equipment to provide your desired quality results. We take pride in working hard to stay within your budget when providing an estimate while making sure you understand the duration of parking lot milling and resurfacing, so us a call and share your project details for your free quote. For more info about our asphalt repair services and case studies, visit our Media Room
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