Have you ever wondered why potholes form in commercial parking lots? You are not alone! Potholes are a mysterious and frustrating phenomenon that plague drivers and maintenance crews alike. But how do they form and why are they so prevalent in parking lots? Let's explore how potholes form, how you can work to avoid them, and how Parking Lot Armor can help you repair them with infrared technology.
How Potholes Form
Water is one of the most common causes of potholes in parking lots. When water seeps into the cracks in the pavement, it can cause those cracks to widen and eventually form a pothole. Water seeps into the pavement when it rains or when snow melts and pools on the surface. Over time, the pressure from the weight of cars driving over the pavement can cause the cracks to deepen and become large enough to form a pothole.
How to Reduce Potholes
One of the best ways to help reduce the number of potholes in parking lots is to practice preventative maintenance. This means regularly inspecting the pavement for any signs of cracking or wear and tear. Cracks should be filled as soon as possible, before water has a chance to seep in and cause further damage. This will also help protect against premature aging of the pavement.
Using sealcoating on the pavement can also provide a layer of protection against water seeping into cracks and widening them. Sealcoating should be reapplied every two to three years, depending on the amount of traffic the parking lot receives. Finally, it is important to regularly inspect and repair any potholes that have already formed. The sooner they are repaired, the less damage they will cause to vehicles in the long run.
Infrared Pothole Repair
Infrared asphalt recyclers are designed for commonly occurring asphalt problems like improper seams, sunken utility cuts, buckled surfaces, manholes, potholes, or other problems which threaten the integrity of your parking lot’s overall structure. Penetrating infrared rays employed quickly soften the existing asphalt without burning it. Typically, when this method is used, the top 1 1/2″ to 2″ of asphalt is ready for raking within 7 – 10 minutes. That’s how efficient and rapid the process is.
The Parking Lot Armor Promise
Infrared pothole repair from Parking Lot Armor works by using heat to quickly and effectively fill in a pothole. This method of repair is more precise and efficient than traditional asphalt repair. With the heat generated from an infrared machine, the underlying layers of pavement are heated up and softened. Then, the pothole is filled with a high-performance polymer patching compound that has been pre-heated to 180 degrees. This combination of heat and patching material creates a strong and lasting seal, without the mess and inconvenience of cold patching.
Parking Lot Armor has been making New Jersey parking lots look great for over 20 years. We bring your parking lot up to safety standards with state-of-the-art processes, high-tech equipment, and professional experience that gets your infrared pothole repair done right.