Laying Down the Pavement

5 Water Concerns On An Asphalt Parking Lot

19 July 2021 by Clifton Sullivan

Water is one of the main destructive forces that can damage your asphalt parking lot. Knowing what it can do and how the damage can be prevented is necessary for proper lot maintenance. 

1. Asphalt Paving Is Porous

Asphalt may seem quite solid, especially after it is first put in, but it's actually relatively porous. This means moisture can slowly seep into the paving over time, which can lead to all sorts of damage. Fortunately, there is a way to protect this. Sealcoating the asphalt parking lot every few years creates a waterproof barrier.

2. Infiltration Can Cause Hidden Damage

Water doesn't just soak in through the surface of asphalt, it can also infiltrate it from below. When moisture gets into the base material beneath the parking lot, erosion occurs. Sunken areas can form in the paving, as well as extensive cracking. A sturdy, well-constructed base helps minimize this issue, but it is also important to make sure surface water from gutters and storm drains is routed away from the parking lot. 

3. Water Is More Damaging During a Freeze

Moisture alone can cause damage over many years, but a freeze can lead to water damage on the paving in a few short hours. When water freezes, it expands. If the water has soaked into the pores of the paving, this expansion causes the asphalt to crack or crumble. Potholes are often the result of this process. Repairing damage promptly and maintaining the sealcoat are key preventative tactics. 

4. Drainage Can Be Added at Any Time

Water sitting on the asphalt surface, such as in low areas, is a prime way for water damage to slowly affect asphalt. The good news is you can improve the drainage even on an existing lot. A paving service can install storm drains along the perimeter of the lot, or they can put in covered trench drains over low-lying areas at the entrance and exit of the lot. Interior drains can be placed anywhere on the lot where puddles form.

5. Weathering Can Loosen Aggregate

On its own, water can cause a lot of damage. When combined with wind and sunlight, water works to loosen the aggregate surface on the asphalt. The result is loose stones and small cracks. While sealcoating prevents this, there are ways to fix it if the aggregate has already loosened. A paving service can also resurface the asphalt, which puts down a thin layer of fresh asphalt and renews the surface.

Contact a parking lot paving service if you have more questions about the effects of water on your paving. 

Share