Paving, Sealing, and Striping - Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions are some of the most frequently asked by
our clients. We hope you find these useful, and encourage you to
contact us and forward us any others
that we may have missed.
Q1:
How often should I stripe my parking lot?
A1: That depends on the amount of traffic your lot is subjected
to. Corrosive salts and sand can also shorten the life of pavement
markings. On average about lots usually need to be striped every
two years. Low volume traffic lots can last longer, but high volume
parking lot should have fire lanes, stop bars and cross walks re-striped
on a yearly basis.
Q2:
When is the best time to have my lot striped?
A2: Traffic paint applied when temperature drops below forty degrees
tends to have a shorter life span. The warm months of summer are
usually the best time to maintain your lot.
Q3:
How long does it take for the paint to dry?
A3: Usually about 15 to 30 minutes after the paint is applied,
cars will be able to drive over the markings. Sunlight and temperature
greatly affect the drying process.
Q4: How wide do the parking spaces have to be?
A4: This is a sensitive issue, especially where parking is limited
and the property owner is trying to fit more cars than the parking
lot is designed for. Parking spaces should be at least 9 feet wide.
Some towns require a typical parking space to be no smaller than
10 feet wide by 20 feet long. This will vary from town to town.
Q5: Do I really need to have handicap parking?
A5: Yes, one for every 25 spaces. One of every eight handicap spaces
must be "Van Accessible". This means every parking lot
must have a space to accommodate a van with a wheelchair lift.
Q6: When Should my new asphalt be sealed?
A6: Three to six months after the initial installation, then every
other year.
Q7: How long should I stay off newly sealed asphalt?
A7: It is recommended to stay off for 24-48 hours
Q8: Why does asphalt need to be sealed?
A8:
- Protection Against Spills. Oil, gas and other spills
cause not only unsightly stains, but also begin working at destroying
your asphalt.
- Protection Against Weather. Harsh
winters can cause a lot of damage to asphalt surfaces. If not properly
sealed, moisture can find its way into the asphalt and as it freezes
and thaws, it weakens the asphalt
- Maintain Aesthetics. A properly
sealed driveway looks good...and stays looking good! When your asphalt
is cared for, the rest of your property will also become more beautiful
in appearance.
- Sealing is Economically Sound. When
you consider the cost of repaving your driveway or parking lot versus
the cost of sealing, you will discover that this maintenance
will save you a lot of money over the long term.
- Maintain Property Values. Asphalt
that is cared for can help increase the over all value of your property.
Prospective buyers want to see that the property has been maintained.
Q9: When Should I seal cracks?
A9: As soon as possible once any crack is ¼ inch or wider
throughout the pavement.
Q10: Is it cost effective to seal cracks?
A10: Absolutely, by crack-sealing regularly you will prolong the
life of the pavement by not allowing water to penetrate through
the crack and cause further deterioration of the pavement.
Q11: What is hot mix asphalt?
A11: Hot mix asphalt is a combination of approximately 95% stone,
sand, or gravel bound together by asphalt cement, a product of crude
oil.
Q12: What are the benefits of asphalt pavement?
A12:
- Asphalt pavement is economical as well as extremely durable for
northern climates and is 100% recyclable.
- Asphalt provides the best rate of investment return
of any paving material.
- Asphalt retains heat more efficiently so that
ice doesn’t form as quickly and melts faster.A: It is the
material of choice on U.S. roads with over 94% surfaced with asphalt.
Q13: What causes potholes?
A13: This can be caused by thin or weak pavement, poor drainage,
and improper or lack of maintenance.
Q14: What are some of the causes of asphalt failure?
A14:
- Inadequate thickness of pavement in the original construction.
-Lack of maintenance to the pavement.
-Excessive deterioration of the pavement do to inadequate
drainage.
-Weak or unstable base materials.
Q15: What determines if I can resurface my existing pavement?
A15: The condition of the asphalt mat as well as the condition
of the stone base course will be primary factors. If there is a
large amount of alligatoring present, or if it is evident that there
is base failure, you probably shouldn’t consider an overlay.
Q16: Why is tack coat needed?
A16: To assure a bond between the succeeding layers of pavement.
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