An asphalt driveway or parking lot doesn't last forever. The lifespan of a parking lot is going to vary widely, depending on the number of heavy vehicles parked, how often the lot is used, the weather conditions, and parking lot maintenance. It's important to take good care of your parking lot by cleaning up chemical spills, and getting repairs when there are cracks in your asphalt. Know that fading is common, and this does not indicate that anything is wrong with your parking lot. If you have large areas that need to be repaired, or there is significant damage to the whole parking lot, you likely need a replacement over repair work.

Cracks and Grass Growing

It is possible for cracks to develop on your asphalt surface. When this occurs, grass or weeds can grow in the cracks if they aren't filled up. Over time, the cracks widen and push your asphalt apart further. If the cracks are less than an inch wide, it is important to remove any debris in the cracks, and have your asphalt cracks fixed by a commercial asphalt repair specialist. When you ignore cracks, water easily gets below your asphalt and causes further problems. 

Frost Heaves and Asphalt

Another indication that your asphalt needs to be repaired is if you have large bumps or frost heaves in your parking lot. These are caused by water getting below the surface, and then freezing, pushing up the asphalt as they expand. Once the ice melts, the asphalt stays in the position it was pushed in. When this occurs, this is a hazard that needs to be dealt with for the safety of anyone using your parking lot.

Potholes and Routine Maintenance

Potholes can develop on your asphalt because of wear and tear, damage to the asphalt, or if large equipment is parked in an area where it shouldn't be. If you have potholes developing, these need to be filled in quickly. When you ignore potholes, they only get larger and create a safety hazard. Have potholes repaired by a specialist so that additional damage is not done to your asphalt because of pooling water and debris.

Your asphalt parking lot can be resurfaced periodically to protect the top layer of asphalt. As long as the base layer is sound, resurfacing can be done. Look for damage to your asphalt, and pay attention to any cracks that start to develop. 

For more info about asphalt maintenance, contact a local company.