Tips for Caring for a Newly Paved Parking Lot
When you own or manage commercial property that has a parking lot, it is important for the parking lot to be in good condition. Customers are not as likely to visit the businesses on the property if the parking lot has potholes and is not easy to drive or park on. Thus, if your property's parking lot is old and in bad shape, the best thing that you can do is have the lot repaved. Parking lot paving may cost money upfront, but it is a good investment. If you pay to have your parking lot paved, you are sure to want it to last for many years. Use the following tips to help you care for your newly paved parking lot:
Allow Time for the Asphalt To Dry
Repaving a commercial parking lot can cause some logistical issues for the businesses located on the property. If people are unable to park, businesses may not have customers. However, after you have your parking lot paved, it is important to give the asphalt time to dry before anyone drives or parks on it. In most cases, the asphalt will dry in a day or two, depending on weather conditions. Failure to allow the asphalt to dry and using the parking lot too soon can cause a lot of damage.
Stay on Top of Cleaning
Asphalt is a very strong and durable compound that can last for years, but it is essential to keep fresh asphalt clean. Compounds, such as oil, grease, or gasoline, can damage the surface of the asphalt. You may want to consider hiring a company to thoroughly clean the parking lot on a regular basis for the first year after you have the parking lot paved while the asphalt is curing. Being proactive about having the parking lot cleaned will help prevent the need for expensive repairs.
Make Snow and Ice Removal a Priority
During the first year when fresh asphalt is still curing, moisture can be a big issue. Thus, the last thing that you want is for your parking lot to be exposed to a lot of snow and ice. It is best to hire a snow and ice removal company to care for the parking lot for at least the first year. In addition to protecting the asphalt in your parking lot, prompt snow and ice removal will also make it easier for people to use the parking lot.