Asphalt paving repair is a crucial part of maintaining a smooth, safe, and visually appealing parking lot.

Over time, wear and tear, weather conditions, and moderate-to-heavy usage can cause damage to any asphalt surface.

But how much does it cost to repair your parking lot?

Let’s break it down by looking at how to identify problem areas, understanding water drainage issues, and exploring the best repair solutions for different problems.

Identifying Problem Areas in Your Parking Lot

Before you can estimate repair costs, it's essential to identify the areas that need attention. Here are some common indicators that you may be due for some repair or maintenance:

1. Cracks: Small or large, cracks allow water to seep in, which can lead to bigger problems.

2. Potholes: These are caused by water seeping into cracks and freezing, which makes the cracks expand and eventually form potholes.

3. Raveling: When the surface of the asphalt starts to wear away, leading to loose gravel and rough patches.

4. Depressions: Low areas that can collect water, often due to a weak base or repeated heavy loads.

5. Alligator Cracking: This pattern looks like the skin of an alligator and indicates severe damage.

Understanding Water Drainage Issues

Water is one of the biggest enemies of asphalt and becomes even worse in the winter when it freezes underground and expands. Poor drainage can lead to water pooling on the surface, which seeps into cracks and weakens the foundation. Here are some signs of water drainage issues:

• Puddles: Water pooling in certain areas can indicate poor drainage.

• Erosion: Water runoff that wears away the edges of the pavement.

• Soft Spots: Areas that feel spongy or soft when you walk or drive over them.

Fixing drainage issues might involve re-grading the area, adding drainage pipes, or installing catch basins to ensure water flows away from the pavement.

Types of Asphalt Repairs for Different Problems

The type of repair needed depends on the severity and type of damage. Here are some common repair methods and their typical costs:

***PLEASE NOTE*** These costs are national averages and tend to increase over time, also, there are minimum quantities that must be met in order to fulfill most projects. Please get in contact with your local paving company for a custom estimate.

1. Crack Filling and Sealing

   • Cost: $1.00 to $3 per linear foot.

   • Best for: Small cracks. This method involves cleaning out the cracks and filling them with a hot or cold sealant to prevent water from entering.

2. Pothole Repair

   • Cost: $50 to $150 per pothole.

   • Best for: Isolated potholes. The pothole is cleaned out, and new asphalt is filled in and compacted.

3. Overlay/Resurfacing

   • Cost: $3 to $6 per square foot.

   • Best for: Large areas with surface damage. A new layer of asphalt is laid over the existing surface.

4. Grind and Pave Patches

   • Cost: $4 to $8 per square foot.

   • Best for: Areas where the top layer of asphalt has cracked or worn down but the base is still intact. The areas are milled, swept, tack coated and repaved.

5. Full-Depth Repair

   • Cost: $4 to $10 per square foot.

   • Best for: Severe damage like alligator cracking or large depressions. The damaged asphalt and base are removed, regraded and replaced with new materials.

Conclusion

Repairing asphalt paving can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of repair needed. Regular maintenance, like crack sealing, sweeping and bi-annual line painting, can prevent small issues from becoming big problems, saving you money in the long run.

Identifying problem areas early and addressing drainage issues are key to maintaining a smooth, safe, and durable parking lot.

For professional asphalt repair and maintenance, trust Pavemar Paving to provide top-notch service and expertise.