With winter finally here, and the beginning of the new year right around the corner, December is a great time to begin your budget planning to have your paved surfaces repaired sometime in the next few months. Whether your pavement is a small parking area or a large-scale parking lot, you’ll need to plan ahead for repairs that typically need to be made after the cold winter months are over.
It’s normal for asphalt to become damaged during the winter months. People who live in a cold climate will see their pavement degrade as a result of the constant freeze-thaw cycle that occurs over the winter. But even those of us who live in a warmer climate will see the results of winter become obvious on paved surfaces as the season progresses. Rainfall can sink into asphalt through even the smallest crack, and that moisture can weaken the sublayers of the pavement, making it more susceptible to additional cracking and the formation of potholes. So it’s inevitable that your asphalt will require some level of repair and maintenance after the winter is over, which is why it’s so important to budget for those repairs now. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:
- Plan according to the age of your paved surface. If your asphalt is 10 years old or more, you should prepare for some major repair work to be done. While it’s true that many asphalt surfaces can last 20 to 30 years of even longer if they’re properly maintained, once the pavement gets to be about 10 years old, it’s safe to assume that you’ll need more than just simple crack filling. Keep this in mind as you begin your budget planning.
- If you have a large paved area, consider completing repairs in phases. Rather than having the entire paved surface repaired at once, ask your paving contractor about having sections of it done a little at a time. This not only makes it easier to fit into your budget; it also makes those repairs less disruptive to your business. And, of course, be sure to ask your paving contractor for a rough estimate on what to expect as far as costs are concerned for each phase of the process.
- Assume that you’ll need to set aside a certain amount of money for preventative maintenance each year. Whether that includes seal coating, crack sealing, or any other process that your paving contractor recommends, the more diligent you are in keeping up with maintenance and routine repairs, the more money you’ll save in the long run.
Your paved surface is a major investment, so it’s important to take care of it. Careful budget planning will allow you to do just that after the winter months are over.