Concrete vs. Asphalt

Rose Paving / July 25, 2017

What to know about the dynamic duo of parking lot materials

Concrete and asphalt are two of the most popular construction materials, both favored for their strength and durability. Both are commonplace in the world of parking lots, but require different maintenance and repair services. Given that the two materials go hand in hand, it’s helpful to work with a contractor who is an expert in both.

What to know about concrete and asphalt

Concrete

From rental properties to commercial buildings, concrete is put to use in a variety of ways on many buildings and structures. While concrete is an extremely durable construction material, it requires regular inspection and maintenance. And with this tough material, location, use and traffic all impact the service needs of the project.

Sidewalks on the Premises: Although sidewalks aren’t subjected to heavy loads like parking garages and ramps, they undergo constant exposure to the elements. If your sidewalk has cracks or looks dingy, crack filling, power washing, and a protective coating can prevent future damage, and will immediately improve appearance.

Parking Garages: Your parking garage may look invincible, but heavy loads and exposure to water, road salt, and oil and gas leaks can all undermine its structural integrity over time. Cracks, chipping, and erosion can all be signs of more significant damage, so we recommend having your parking garage inspected every 2 years. Depending on the extent of the damage, necessary services can include waterproofing, post tension repairs, expansion joint replacement, or even removal and replacement.

Curbs, Borders and Edging: Even if your sidewalks, roadways and parking lots are in pristine condition, corroded curbs can shorten the lifecycle of the pavement. Cracked and crumbling curbs not only look unattractive, they allow water penetration that can cause significant damage over time to surrounding pavement. Waterproofing existing curbs, and replacing damaged sections, will protect the life of your pavement long term.

Concrete Entryways: An entryway is the face of your business, and how it looks can say a lot about you. Loose concrete, cracks, and holes not only look unappealing, they can also be a potential liability. Smooth, clean, well-maintained concrete make for the best impression and requires regular preventative maintenance such as crack filling, power washing, concrete stabilization, and application of protective coating.

Parking Lots and Other Asphalt Surfaces

Asphalt is favored for parking lots and roads because of its capacity to withstand heavy loads, but it also requires more frequent maintenance than concrete. Exposure to the elements will cause deterioration over time, which is why a proactive approach makes all of the difference. Pavement management plans incorporate a range of preventative services to improve appearance and extend the life of your pavement.

Paving: Asphalt paving is a solution used to install a parking lot or to prevent further deterioration of a parking lot. As soon as a pavement first shows signs of wear and tear such as raveling, transverse cracks, longitudinal cracks, or minor block cracking, it is in need of preventative maintenance, which is more cost-effective than addressing major repairs.

Sealcoating: By far the simplest and most effective preventative measure you can take, seal coat is a thin protective layer that consists of coal tar pitch or asphalt cement mixed with inert fillers, water, emulsifying agents, or additives. It protects off-highway pavement surfaces against gasoline, oil, salt, water, and ultraviolet rays.

Infrared Repair: If damage has progressed too far and your paving has areas that need to be replaced entirely, infrared repair can be a great cost-saving option, without having to replace the entire structure. This cutting-edge technology allows for seamless deep penetration asphalt repair and uses less time and raw materials than traditional methods.

Transitional Milling: When the resurfaced area needs to tie into other existing surfaces like concrete, asphalt is milled and replaced to allow proper depth and transitions. Surfaces with proper transitions and seams not only look better, but also prevent water seepage between concrete and asphalt, saving time and money in the future.

It’s no secret that Rose Paving is an expert in asphalt maintenance, but our experience in maintaining concrete makes us the ultimate double threat in the industry. Concrete and asphalt are often used in tandem, but have very distinct maintenance procedures. Our ability to produce first-rate concrete services means you only have to work with one provider, simplifying your operations and saving you money at the same time. And because Rose Paving is the most trusted name in the industry, you can count on us to have competitive prices, outstanding customer service, and do incredible work. Contact us today for a free project estimate!