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The 5 Biggest Summer Threats to Your Parking Lot—and How to Combat Them
With temperatures on the rise and summer just over the horizon, your parking lot could be facing more threats than you might realize. At PaveConnect, we’ve seen firsthand how seasonal weather can accelerate wear and tear, leading to costly repairs and safety issues. Fortunately, with proactive maintenance and expert guidance, these problems are preventable. In this blog, we break down the five biggest summer threats to your parking lot—and what you can do about them.
- UV Radiation and Surface Breakdown
The Impact: Summer UV rays are relentless. Over time, they oxidize the binders in asphalt, making the surface brittle, dry, and prone to cracking. The pavement may also lose its rich black color, becoming faded and chalky.
How to Prevent It:
- Apply a professional-grade sealcoat every 2–3 years to shield against UV damage.
- Schedule regular surface inspections in late spring to prepare for the hottest months.
- Heat-Related Softening and Tire Scuffing
The Impact: When temperatures climb above 90°F, asphalt becomes soft. This makes it more vulnerable to rutting under the weight of vehicles, especially in high-traffic areas. Hot surfaces also attract tire scuff marks and deform under turning forces.
How to Prevent It:
- Use heat-resistant asphalt mixes for new installations or overlays.
- Install shaded areas or canopies in areas that make sense, especially in commercial zones.
- Cracking from Thermal Expansion
The Impact: Asphalt and concrete expand in the heat. Without proper expansion joints or a flexible pavement design, this can result in unsightly and damaging cracks.
How to Prevent It:
- Fill cracks promptly with hot rubberized crack sealant to prevent water infiltration.
- Opt for flexible pavement systems in regions with extreme summer heat.
- Heavy Rain and Poor Drainage
The Impact: Sudden summer downpours can cause standing water on poorly graded or maintained lots. Water seeping into existing cracks leads to erosion beneath the surface, worsening damage and creating potholes.
How to Prevent It:
- Invest in routine grading and drainage assessments.
- Keep catch basins and stormwater systems clear of debris and vegetation.
- Faded Striping and Safety Hazards
The Impact: Sunlight and heavy rain rapidly fade parking lot striping, arrows, handicap symbols, and other essential markings. This can lead to confusion, unsafe conditions, and liability risks.
How to Prevent It:
- Schedule annual re-striping with high-visibility traffic paint.
- Consider thermoplastic markings for longer-lasting durability.
PaveConnect Can Help Prepare Your Parking Lot for the Threats of Summer!
Trust the Experts at PaveConnect
Summer doesn’t have to spell trouble for your parking lot. With PaveConnect’s national reach and local expertise, we help businesses across the country stay ahead of seasonal damage and extend the life of their paved surfaces.
Let our team inspect, maintain, and protect your parking lot before summer hits full stride.
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