When brand new, an asphalt parking lot looks great. A clean, clearly marked parking lot is a great way to welcome people to your business, as those who are arriving for the first time will be given a positive impression of your company. However, as time goes by, that great looking asphalt parking lot can become marred by cracks, puddles, or just good old fashioned wear and tear.
To bring back the impressive look that your parking lot offered when it was new, you might be thinking about replacing the whole thing. While that is a viable option in some cases, you don’t want to call in the heavy machinery right away – repairing the parking lot may actually be the better option, allowing you to save a large sum of money while accomplishing the same goal. So, should you replace or crack fill that asphalt parking lot that is sitting in front of your business? To make the right choice, there are a few things you need to consider.
How Old is the Parking Lot?
One of the first things to consider when weighing whether to replace or repair your parking lot is the age of the asphalt. While there is no specific lifespan for an asphalt parking lot – the length of time they can be expected to last depends greatly on factors like weather, traffic, and more – you shouldn’t be surprised if a lot that is 20 years old or more is starting to wear out. In fact, if you are dealing with a lot that is more than a couple of decades old, a complete replacement is likely the best way to go.
How Much Damage Exists?
This is probably the biggest point to consider in this debate. If a large percentage of the surface of the parking lot is damaged, it might not be feasible to repair it properly. Before new asphalt can be laid overtop of the old surface, all of the cracks will need to be repaired. While that is doable when there are only a few cracks here and there, it is going to simply be too much to deal with when cracks are running throughout the lot. As a general rule of thumb, parking lots with damage to more than a quarter of the surface should probably be replaced.
If you are hoping the new parking lot surface can last for decades to come, the best is to tear out the old lot and simply install a new one. However, if you only need to get a few more years out of this parking lot before your business is going to relocate or rebuild anyway, then you can look at resurfacing as a viable option. Working with a good asphalt contractor is the best way to make an informed decision on this point, as they will be able to help you assess the current status of your lot before moving forward.