As a property manager, you are likely already thinking about next year's budget and what projects you didn’t complete this year. If you are considering a new asphalt surface, be it an asphalt driveway or asphalt parking lot, there are certain key things you can look for to help you plan your project and budget outline.
The best way to determine what your future budget should go towards is to take a long, hard look at your current surface. It might be helpful to follow along with our free maintenance checklist to help determine what your asphalt is telling you. Here are just a few examples:
If your asphalt is telling you it needs serious TLC, allocating funds for driveway and parking lot maintenance is more important for your long-term budget planning than you may think. You might be surprised to learn that the life expectancy of a properly designed, installed and maintained asphalt parking lot or driveway ranges from 15 – 20 years.
If your asphalt is telling you that it doesn’t require serious repair and budget allocation this year, make sure you keep up with preventative maintenance to keep your surface looking great and performing well. Making timely repairs on small surface problems will ultimately extend the life of your asphalt.
For example, regular sealcoating is very important to extend the life of your asphalt surface. There are many benefits of sealcoating, including; restoring the look of your asphalt surface; making your parking lot easier to clean and protecting the asphalt from harsh weather and regular wear and tear. Wolf Paving recommends a sealcoat every two years.
If you are noticing singular cracks between ¼ inch and 1 inch and size, you should consider crack-filling. Taking the time to fill cracks will ensure that water is not able to penetrate and deteriorate the sub-base of your asphalt pavement. Regular crack maintenance will help extend the life of your asphalt.
General Asphalt Preventative Maintenance Tips
Understanding the time frame of asphalt repairs and the life expectancy of your asphalt surface can help you create a realistic budget to meet your needs. Here are a few key things to remember:
Working with an experienced contractor can help you plan appropriately for your next paving project. Most reputable, highly rated, experienced commercial and municipal contractors will come out to your job site, evaluate your current repair needs and provide you with a free quote. An experienced asphalt contractor will talk through your immediate and long term needs and tell you their best-recommended course of action based on your individual budget and timeframe.
Do you have any additional questions to help you plan your paving budget? Contact us and let us know how we can help!