Fall is a turbulent time for many businesses. Not only does this time of year tend to bring increased activity — it can also have a significant impact on your property’s integrity. This environmental transition sees a drop in average temperatures, a spike in precipitation, falling leaves, and more. All of these factors can take a toll on your facility’s exterior, and your asphalt surfaces are no exception. If you don’t have a solid asphalt repair and paving plan in place, autumn can spell doom for your parking lot and/or driveway. Let’s go over a few of the biggest asphalt mistakes businesses make during fall so you can maintain sturdy and beautiful surfaces all season long and beyond.
Most Common Asphalt Mistakes
Neglecting to Remove Leaves and Debris
Proper asphalt maintenance consists of many tasks and must be attended to year-round. That said, fall is perhaps the most crucial time of year to stay on top of parking lot and driveway maintenance. Fallen leaves and twigs might seem harmless, but this debris can deteriorate your asphalt surfaces. The moisture, fungi, and bacteria carried by leaves can seep into the pores and cracks of your asphalt, and harder debris can scratch these surfaces. Moreover, this debris becomes a safety hazard for pedestrians, increasing the risk of slips, trips, and falls. And, at the very least, a parking lot covered in leaves, dirt, and debris isn’t very appealing, potentially turning customers away from your business. For the sake of your people, enterprise, and asphalt, then, keep leaves and other debris off your asphalt surfaces throughout the season.
Letting Cracks Linger
Asphalt crack repair is one of the most sought-after asphalt services out there for a reason — even the highest-quality asphalt fractures over time due to shifts in the earth and changes in temperature. Still, while minor cracks are expected and not major concerns, they will spread out and deepen if not filled properly and in a timely manner. And as temperatures drop lower and lower throughout fall, the pace at which these cracks expand will increase due to the freeze and thaw cycle of moisture inside these openings. If your asphalt surfaces are still riddled with cracks and gaps by the time winter rolls around, it will likely require major repairs or resurfacing come springtime. So, filling these cracks and potholes before things get too cold will save you time, money, and headaches down the road.
Waiting too Long to Lay New Asphalt
There’s a time for everything, including asphalt services such as paving. As we discussed in our previous blog, “How Late in the Fall Can I Lay Asphalt?” October is typically the last month of the year that’s viable for asphalt paving in the New England area. November sometimes offers decent conditions for asphalt paving, but by this point, temperatures are typically too low (especially overnight) for proper application. If you’re been meaning to hire asphalt paving contractors to repave your lot or driveway, then, the end of October is your last chance to do so until spring. Unfortunately, some businesses miss the boat and allow this period to pass by before resurfacing their asphalt features — they can still schedule services for springtime, but by that point, the project might be more involved and costly.
Don’t Fall Behind on Asphalt Maintenance
Asphalt surfaces often have a tough time during fall, especially in regions of New England. With proper maintenance and planning, however, you can keep your parking lot and/or driveway in great shape despite the difficult conditions. Cassidy Paving works year-round to maintain, repair, and restore asphalt surfaces for businesses and residences alike.
Call us today at 866-978-9788 for a free estimate on your next asphalt project.