FAQ

Parking lot striping is a professional service you'll need to schedule periodically throughout your pavement's lifespan. An initial application isn't enough. All striping paint formulas will eventually fade and become less visible.

How often you'll need parking lot striping depends on several factors. The biggest include:

• The quality of paint used
• The specific paint formula
• Traffic volume
• Pavement age and condition
• Exposure levels
• Recent weather conditions

Contractors recommend getting regular inspections to keep up with your parking lot's evolving needs. The best time to schedule a service appointment is before existing lines lose approximately 25 percent of their visibility. When that happens varies, but most standard paint formulas reach that point after 18 to 24 months. 

Asphalt sealcoating is a service that you can't go without. Despite asphalt's inherent strength and resilience, it's no match for Mother Nature. Years of exposure to the elements and everyday wear can cause the material to deteriorate surprisingly quickly. UV exposure can cause the binders in your asphalt to oxidize, resulting in brittleness and increased susceptibility to cracking. That can then turn into water infiltration, pothole development, foundation damage, structural integrity concerns, and extreme degradation.

Sealcoating is a type of preventative maintenance that aims to prevent that. Contractors apply an asphalt emulsion sealer to every inch of your pavement, creating a physical barrier. It effectively shields your asphalt from rain, shine, leaking vehicle fluids, road chemicals, abrasive damage, and more. Regular sealing is key to long-term asphalt maintenance.

Over time, exposure and wear will cause parking lot striping to peel, flake, and fade. When that happens depends on the type of paint used, the condition of your pavement, recent weather conditions, and more.

Basic water-based and solvent-based paints typically have a lifespan of 18 to 24 months. However, more premium, hard-wearing formulas can last several years without losing their vibrancy. Striping contractors recommend reapplying stripes and pavement markings once they lose roughly 25 percent of their visibility. The best way to know when that happens is to schedule routine inspections.

Parking lot signage is an excellent addition that further improves safety, traffic efficiency, and navigation. It complements striping and pavement markings while also providing visitors with crucial information. Like parking lot striping, signs must comply with several federal, state, and local code requirements. Non-compliance can lead to penalties and liability concerns.

Before installing signs, review federal requirements set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Traffic signage regulations are outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Then consult state and local regulatory boards to determine which codes apply to your property and signage. Codes typically cover details like:

• Design
• Color Use
• Symbol Use
• Reflectivity
• Installation Height

You should also look into federal ADA guidelines, which require signage for accessible stalls.

Always work with reputable signage installation contractors. The best are well-versed in applicable code requirements, permitting processes, and inspections. They'll handle installation and ensure the final product is fully compliant.

Parking lot maintenance can help keep your property looking its best while enhancing safety, usability, traffic efficiency, and more. A solid maintenance routine includes a range of tasks and professional services. While every parking lot is different, here's what reliable maintenance should entail:

•Regular Cleaning: Filth can accumulate on your pavement, accelerating deterioration and negatively impacting curb appeal. Sweep surfaces regularly, periodically wash the asphalt, and clean up spills as soon as possible to prevent staining.
•Crack Filling and Sealing: Cracks will develop on even the most well-maintained paving. Annual crack filling and sealing services help prevent cracks from worsening into more extensive damage. Crack repair prevents water intrusion and restores the pavement's smooth surface, improving safety.
•Asphalt Repairs: When damage occurs, whether it's a pothole or surface deterioration, schedule prompt repairs. Damage can worsen, resulting in rapid pavement deterioration. Furthermore, issues can create safety hazards and encourage more haphazard driving. 
•Sealcoating: Sealcoating safeguards your pavement against several damaging elements, including weather, wear, chemical spills, and more. It also restores your pavement's finish, giving it a beautiful, like-new look.
•Parking Lot Striping: After sealcoating, your parking lot is ready for striping. Reapply stripes once they lose 25 percent of their visibility to maintain your parking lot's good looks, safety, and traffic flow.

Asphalt paving and asphalt sealcoating are two distinct services. One involves creating brand-new asphalt surfaces, while the other helps maintain the finished product.

Asphalt paving is a construction method that uses a hot asphalt mix, consisting of aggregates and a sticky binder called bitumen. Once laid and compacted, asphalt paving cures to form a dense, solid surface. Asphalt is among the world's most popular paving materials, used to create parking lots, driveways, tarmacs, roads, and more.

Sealcoating is a form of preventative maintenance that aims to protect asphalt paving from weathering and wear. It helps prevent early oxidation and degradation, all while maintaining the material's smooth finish and durability.

When asphalt paving suffers damage, it typically needs prompt repairs. There are some exceptions. For example, standard surface-level cracking doesn't require immediate attention. Most contractors recommend scheduling routine crack filling at least once annually.

However, more severe damage, such as potholes, settling, raveling, and significant distress, needs professional repairs as soon as possible. All forms of damage can worsen, and the longer you wait to get repairs, the more difficult it can be to restore your pavement. Additionally, damage creates safety concerns that put everyone at risk. Don't delay repairs, as doing so can cost you more.

Crack sealing is a specific type of crack repair. This particular method is for working cracks. Also known as active cracks, these voids exhibit movement under traffic loads or with temperature fluctuations. They are more likely to spread, especially if that movement is limited.

When contractors repair working cracks, they use a hot rubberized compound. It's flexible enough to accommodate movement, but it prevents water intrusion and spreading.