Your asphalt is sometimes the first thing customers will see. If your parking lot has severe damage, it will not give a good impression of your company. Fortunately, Azzarelli comes to the rescue with a variety of asphalt services. There are a few ways you can diagnose the issues with your asphalt lot.
Keep a Watch on Cracking
Cracking is going to happen as the heat makes the asphalt fluctuate, but there are different types of cracks to watch for. Block cracking has a larger pattern caused by erosion, settling, and other issues. Alligator cracks are also caused by these issues but have a smaller pattern that looks like alligator skin. Block cracking should be watched and fixed when necessary, however, when alligator cracking begins, it is essential that they get repaired right away. Sometimes removing the substrate and reconstructing the parking lot is necessary.
Pay Attention To Washboarding and Slippage
Both washboarding and slippage are created when the upper layer and lower layers begin to move. This could happen due to several issues such as poor installation, horizontal pressure, or other similar actions. If you notice either of these issues, a patch might be necessary.
Never Ignore Potholes
Potholes don’t just look bad, they can cause a dangerous scenario for anyone who walks through the parking lot. Potholes also cause serious damage to vehicles, so ignoring them is never an option. If a pothole is left for too long, cracks will begin to extend from it, leading to more severe hazards and damages. Many potholes go as deep as to the base of your parking lot asphalt. Repairs are essential as soon as you notice a pothole.
If you have a commercial parking lot or long driveway, asphalt milling is a process that can benefit your business in several ways. It can improve the look and function of your exterior grounds at a fraction of the cost of replacing an asphalt surface entirely.
At Azzarelli, our professionals will remove the top surface of your parking lot to an appropriate depth. They will be sure to keep the underlying sub-base intact, which can save you time and money. Curbs, drainage features, and other structures also will not be touched. Finally, a new layer of asphalt is placed over the sub-base, creating an essentially new parking lot that is just the right height.
The Benefits of Asphalt Milling
While a completely new parking lot or driveway is definitely a good thing, it isn’t always necessary. The alternative, asphalt milling, has several key benefits:
It can save time
It can reduce the overall price
It looks great
It repairs a rough parking lot
It lasts a long time
Another benefit of the process is that the milled or removed asphalt can later be used for other paving projects. This recycling of materials saves both resources and energy.
The Process of Asphalt Milling
Milling machines consist of a cutting drum, vacuum, and conveyance system. The cutting mechanism chews up the existing asphalt to the desired depth. Next, the vacuum sucks up the materials, and then the conveyance system transports them to a dump truck. The new, lower surface of the parking lot is swept clean, and then a new layer of asphalt is placed on top.
If you have an asphalt parking lot, the top layer may begin to deteriorate over time. Fortunately, when this starts to happen, you have options besides tearing it up and starting over. For instance, you can use a paving method known as asphalt overlay. In asphalt overlay, you use the existing layers as a base, and then the new asphalt is applied to the surface. In some cases, it may have to be milled before the overlay can be applied.
Assessment
Before we begin the overlay process, we will have to assess the parking lot. Not all asphalt surfaces are appropriate for overlay. Asphalt that has root damage, extensive structural damage, or ruts in the surface may have to be ripped up. Likewise, if your asphalt parking lot cannot drain water, then you may have to have the surface regraded.
After we complete the assessment, we can determine how to move forward with the asphalt repairs.
Milling
As mentioned above, some lots will require milling before the overlay can be applied. Milling removes the top layer of asphalt and rids your parking lot of any cracks, damage, or raveling. The top layer has to be removed so that the asphalt will bond to the base layers. We utilize a milling machine that can grind the layer from one inch to three inches. Next, the surface is taken to a recycling plant.
Repair
In order to lay the new asphalt, repairs will need to be completed on the base layers. For example, if your parking lot has potholes, sinking, or rutting, then we can rebuild it. We can use aggregate and asphalt.
The end of the process is the asphalt overlay. We pave the overlay on top of the surface. The thickness of the overlay will depend on the existing surface, generally ranging from about one and a half to two inches.
If you think an asphalt overlay is right for your property, contact the professionals at Azzarelli today!
On-site parking is a huge perk that is often taken for granted. People don’t realize how convenient it is until they get somewhere and street parking as the only option. Having a parking lot on your property is a key factor in your business’s success. Think about it, if there are two grocery stores nearby, one with a spacious parking lot and one where you have to find a spot on the street, which are you going to choose? Nine out of ten people will choose the store with a parking lot. Some people will even drive a little further if it means easy parking. So if you are building a new property, or considering adding or replacing a parking lot on an existing property, keep this in mind.
Experience Makes a Difference
You should never trust your asphalt parking lot to just anyone who claims to be able to get the job done. At Azzarelli Paving, we have years of experience in the industry. Since 1948, our company has been excavating, hauling, paving, and completing a wide range of other industry-related services for business owners in and around Tampa.
Your Sub-Base Is Important
One element of your asphalt parking lot that we pay special attention to is your sub-base. Sure, you want the top layer to look good and function well, but if the sub-base isn’t installed properly, it could change the integrity and drainage of your lot. Our professional sub-base installation cuts down on the amount of sinking, shifting, and cracking your lot experiences.
Asphalt Is a Green Solution
When you think of top recycled products, you most likely think of paper or plastic. However, asphalt is actually one of the top recycled materials in the nation, along with concrete and steel. Other products, such as concrete, asphalt shingles, and oil, are also recycled to create asphalt parking lots.
Contact Us Today
At Azzarelli Paving & Site Development, we are committed to the structural integrity and efficiency of your asphalt parking lot. When you’re thinking about site development and installation, call 813-296-6500 or send us an email to discuss your options.
In terms of road construction, Azzarelli has become a household name in the Tampa Bay area. When it comes to new projects or asphalt repairs, you cannot afford to take control on your own. Asphalt lasts a lot longer when you leave the installation and repairs to the professionals.
Azzarelli’s Mission
Since the 1950s, our name has been regarded hand-in-hand with road construction. We stand by our reputation to provide competitive and high-quality paving services. When it comes to clients, we pride ourselves on maintaining long-term relationships. We put efficiency first without compromising the quality of our work.
Azzarelli’s Services
While paving is our mainstay, we offer several different services. At the top of the list is asphalt paving. Asphalt can be used for various applications because it is cost-effective, simple to construct, and durable on top of it.
When it comes to parking lots, asphalt is the best material. In addition to paving, we also provide asphalt sealcoating. Sealing protects pavement from chemicals such as oil and gasoline. Other services also include
Site Development
Excavation
Underground utilities
Base work
Asphalt paving
Striping
We can widen roads, build new parking lots and demolish lots. If your asphalt lot is failing, you may require milling services. An industrial milling machine can remove part of the asphalt surface so that a new asphalt layer can be placed to restore the road or parking lot. One benefit to asphalt removal is that all asphalt is 100% recyclable. If you have to replace it, it is still environmentally friendly.
When it comes to asphalt construction, professional services can provide high-quality results. At Azzarelli, we provide a variety of services to the Tampa Bay area. To find out more about how we can help you with your asphalt project, call 813-296-6500 or email us today!
For commercial parking lots, asphalt is a popular choice. It has the durability to stay in good condition with a lot of traffic, and it is an affordable and recyclable material. Unfortunately, it’s not foolproof. Understanding what can be viewed as an enemy of asphalt, can help in preventing those things from badly damaging your lot.
1. Water
Many asphalt parking lots have a drainage system that keeps water from pooling on the surface. Of course, if the lot has not been properly installed or maintained, or if there is certain damage, the water could start to pool up. Standing water weakens pavement, encouraging cracks to expand and turn into potholes.
One of the ways you can avoid this issue is with sealcoating. This thin, liquid layer fills in the cracks and protects your asphalt from being damaged by water.
2. Heavy Vehicles
Your asphalt parking lot was designed to withstand a lot of traffic, but sometimes the vehicles are too heavy to allow the lot to remain in good shape. Rutting often occurs when heavy trucks and other vehicles drive along the same path. If these automobiles park in the same spot on a regular basis, the asphalt could begin to sink where the tires settle.
While this is a natural occurrence for many parking lots, there are some things you can do. First, you can hire a pavement company that knows what they’re doing to install the lot in the first place. Second, you can add thicker layers of asphalt to reinforce areas where heavy vehicles drive and park.
3. Sunlight
It’s interesting that sunlight damages asphalt, just as it damages your skin. You use sunscreen on your skin, so you should apply a protective layer over your asphalt as well. Sealcoating is the sunscreen for your pavement. Having it reapplied every three to five years will protect it from the sun, but also from fuel, oil, and water.
Getting Started
You can see how typical things that occur in everyday life can potentially be detrimental to asphalt. Contact Azzarelli Paving & Site Development today to see how we can help keep your lot in the best shape possible.
While Florida doesn’t have the defined seasons of their more northern neighbors, the weather still plays an important role when it comes to maintaining a quality parking lot. We understand how to keep your parking lot looking its best throughout the year, and we can advise you on the best times to have work done. The right timing increases the efficiency of the work and can save your company money in the long run.
The Critical Seasons of Winter and Spring
More so than in many other areas, winter and spring are a great time to have asphalt work done. That’s because the temperatures are still warm enough, without the heavy rains that accompany the summer and fall months. This is a great time to engage in a variety of repairs:
Pothole maintenance
Hot patch repair
Crack and pitting repair
Sealcoating
Regular maintenance can catch things before they get too bad, increasing the likelihood of a long-lasting solution. One thing that should be considered with routine, preventative maintenance, is sealcoating. With sealcoating, a special formula is applied over the asphalt that makes the parking lot resistant to stains and damage from weather. Due to the lack of freezing and thawing in Florida winters, sealcoating is only needed about once every four years.
The Off Seasons of Summer and Fall
During this time, we recommend that you still keep up with regular maintenance and cleaning. It’s important to keep your parking lot looking and performing its best. Professional cleaning every month or two keeps chemical stains to a minimum and reduces the amount of dirty run-off that enters the waterways.
Our team of professionals at Azzarelli can help you get the most out of your asphalt. Call 813-296-6500 or email us today to learn more!
The asphalt on your property is an essential part of first impressions and promoting a safe environment. If it’s not in the best shape, your bottom line could suffer. This is why it is important to have any issues handled as soon as possible.
When an issue does arise, you may begin to question whether it should be repaired or replaced altogether. We are here to help you come to the best conclusion.
Consider the Cost
One of the biggest factors that will help you make this decision is the cost and what you have in your budget. If you don’t have the money it takes to replace the entire lot, you may just want to complete a quick fix for now. If you do have the money it takes, and the professionals feel a replacement is necessary, it would be a smart financial move to get it done.
Take a Look at the Damage
The severity of the damage in your asphalt lot is also going to play a large role in how you determine the solution. If the damage is quite severe, a simple repair might not cut it and could lead to even more damage down the road. If the damage is just a small hole or crack, a quick fix could be the best solution. A professional can help you make this determination based on what the damage looks like.
Understand the Age
If your asphalt is particularly old, it might make more sense to have it replaced instead of making quick fixes all over the place. The substrate is most likely compromised due to age, so damage will continue to arise. Consider the money you will be putting towards repair after repair and determine whether it will be better spent on a replacement.
When you’re considering whether to replace or simply repair the damage to your asphalt, there are many factors that should be given a good look. Contact Azzarelli by calling 813-296-6500 or sending us an email to figure out what’s right for your property.
When guests arrive at your business, the parking lot is one of the first things that they see. This means your parking lot is a key factor in making a good first impression. To keep your curb appeal, you may want to think about seal coating your asphalt parking lot. Here are several benefits to seal coating your pavement.
Resistant to Chemicals
Cars leak a variety of chemicals onto your asphalt parking lot every day. Your pavement is exposed to antifreeze, brake fluid, gas, and more. This can damage the asphalt more than water. Fortunately, sealcoating can keep the chemicals from penetrating the pavement.
Resistant to Oxidation
The sun can cause a lot of damage to your pavement. To maintain its flexibility, asphalt contains oils. As it is exposed to the sun, it causes the oils to bake, causing the asphalt to dry out and crack. Sealcoating will slow the evaporation of any oils, which will in turn slow down the deterioration.
Resistant to Moisture
If moisture gets into the asphalt, it can lead to bigger problems. Water speeds up the degradation of the parking lot. Then, in the winter, as the pavement freezes, the water expands and leads to cracks and other damages.
Appealing to Guests
If you want guests to know that you care about your business, then you need to focus on how it looks. Over time, asphalt can fade to gray from exposure. Dark asphalt with a smooth finish is more appealing. It tells your guests that you care about appearances and you maintain professionalism in all aspects of business, including the parking lot.
Sealcoating your parking lot will also lengthen its lifespan and prolong a replacement. To replace asphalt is a tedious and expensive process. If it is time for your parking lot to live again without replacing the asphalt entirely, then it might be time to consider seal coating. For seal coating, striping, pothole repair, and more for commercial parking lots contact Azzarelli Paving & Site Development by calling 813-296-6500 or emailing us today!
Do you have puddles all over your parking lot? Given that standing water can lead to damage or even injuries, you need to take care of it as soon as possible. If there are puddles, you most likely have a drainage issue. It could be compaction, it could be problems with the subbase, or it could be depression. How do you know what caused your pooling problem?
Do You Have Grade Depressions or Rutting?
Puddles in parking lots can occur due to vehicles being parked in the same place every day. Sometimes, cars can deform the pavement and this is called rutting. You may see indentations along the paths where the wheels have been. Grade depressions, on the other hand, occur when the pavement settles lower than other sections of the pavement. Both can cause pools of water in the depressions.
Do You Have Porous Pavement?
Without porous pavement, the water may have difficulty draining. Porous pavement drains water through the base material. This type of pavement has different voids that allow water to travel towards a natural retention system or drain tile system. If you do not have porous pavement, you cannot simply replace sections with porous. Instead, the whole drainage system has to be made.
What Can You Do About Puddles?
To fix pooling, you must consider the condition of your parking lot. The options generally are to pave a new surface layer or to apply a sealcoat. The contractor would perform infrared heats where the puddles are and then apply sealcoat after.
For the sake of your asphalt parking lot, you do not want to have standing water. Whenever you have puddles over your parking lot, it is crucial to have it checked out to find the source of the problem. Once you know the source, you can work on a solution. For your answers to parking lot repair, contact Azzarelli Paving and Site Development today by calling 813-296-6500 or sending us an email!
