Typical Problems of a Badly Paved Parking Lot

Paving your commercial parking lot is obviously an investment, and an investment is something that needs to last. Accomplishing this is difficult enough if the paving job is done correctly, as regular wear and tear from the elements and from vehicles themselves require regular maintenance. However, a bad paving job can make your problems even worse. There are a number of issues that can arise from this. Here are just a few.

Cracking

There a few different types of cracks your parking lot can be susceptible to:

• Alligator Cracks are caused by a weakened base, subgrade, or surface and is considered a structure failure. It gets its name because of its resemblance to the skin of an alligator.
• Linear Cracks form parallel to the pavement’s centerline and are caused by bad joint construction or pavement fatigue over time.
• Block Cracks form in a rectangular pattern and are typically caused by asphalt shrinkage, due to the asphalt’s inability to contract and expand with temperature changes.
• Slippage Cracks are crescent-shaped and occur when new pavement or asphalt slips over the underlying layer. The lack of layer bonding is usually due to the absence of a tack coat.

Potholes

Potholes are very common on busy roads and highways, but your parking lot can get them as well. These are large holes or depressions in the pavement which penetrate through the top layer of asphalt to the base.

Raveling

Raveling is the result of the fine aggregate that makes up the asphalt wearing away over time. Pock marks are created on the surface and if not fixed can become jagged as erosion increases and breakage intensifies.

Rutting

Ruts are commonly formed due to heavy traffic. They appear in wheel tracks and are caused by the movement of pavement layers. Your pavement can be more susceptible to rutting if:

• The thickness of the pavement is insufficient
• A lack of proper compaction
• A weak asphalt mix used in the construction of the pavement
• Prolonged moisture penetration

Depressions

Not as serious as a pothole, a pavement depression is when the surface layer dips slightly lower than surrounding pavement. These defects, when minor, can typically be fixed by applying thin patches of asphalt.

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