For Minnesota properties with parking lots, it’s imperative that you’re doing a lot in the way of upkeep to help ensure these surfaces remain intact and efficient for those driving on them. The only way to do that successfully is to have a year-round pavement maintenance plan that helps you stay on top of proactive preservation rather than a reactive repair approach.

Having a well-structured plan identifies issues early on and protects the pavement’s structural integrity, extending its lifespan by up to 30%.

Tips for creating a year-round pavement maintenance plan

So where do you start? Let’s take a look at some of the tips that will help you create a productive and efficient year-round pavement maintenance plan.

Build the foundations

The best maintenance plans start with the building of foundations. Conducting an initial assessment in the form of a visual inspection to document the age, size, and current condition of cracks, potholes, and drainage issues gives you a starting point.

Group pavements by traffic volume and usage. High-traffic areas require more frequent monitoring than low-traffic zones, so identifying these areas is particularly important. 

Make use of a digital spreadsheet or binder to track the date and type of all past maintenance, so you stay ahead of getting future maintenance booked in.

Seasonal maintenance schedule

When it comes to a maintenance schedule, there are certain tasks that will need to be done in order to keep on top of all of the necessary proactive efforts that keep the paving surface smooth and non-hazardous.

During the spring, it’s all about renewal and repair work. Inspect the surfaces for any winter damage, and deep clean away any debris and salt. Patch up any existing potholes and refresh line striping where necessary.

In the summer, you’ll want to keep your paving protected. Applying a sealcoating is recommended in order to block UV rays and perform major resurfacing/overlay projects during the dry heat. 

As we head into the fall months, winter preparation is essential. It’s worthwhile sealing up all cracks before the first freeze, clearing leaves from drainage grates in order to prevent pooling from occurring.

Lastly, in the winter, you’ll want to focus on safety and monitoring. Use rubber-edged plows to help protect surfaces and apply concrete-safe, de-icers to monitor for new cracks.

Strategic maintenance intervals

Maintenance intervals are an essential strategy that helps keep on top of any problems that would otherwise occur or be caused by not doing this interval maintenance. 

On a monthly basis, it’s good to sweep surfaces of organic debris and oil spills that can degrade the asphalt. Annually, you’ll want to conduct a full professional assessment and seek out the services of companies like ours, Metro Paving, to help fix any repair work needed.

Every one to two years, crack sealing should be performed to prevent water from reaching the subbase. A fresh sealcoat should be applied every two to three years, and every five to eight years, you should consider whether an asphalt resurfacing is required.

An asphalt and concrete company like ours is the best solution to help with strategic maintenance intervals, especially when it comes to professional checks and fixes. Any repair work will last a lot longer when you have the right professionals on the job.

Critical best practices

For best practices, there are a few extra efforts that could be made to help prevent problems and save you money down the line.

Prioritize drainage

Water is often the primary cause of pavement problems, which is why you want to ensure water flows away from surfaces. Keep catch basins and gutters clear of any debris, and do this regularly.

Prompt crack sealing

Don’t wait for cracks to become potholes. Instead, be sure to seal them immediately in order to prevent what will ultimately be structural failure.

Budget flexibly

Material and labor costs can often fluctuate, so it’s worthwhile putting in a contingency plan in your annual budget. That way, you’ve got a bit of a slush fund for emergency pairs after severe weather.

Why use Metro Paving as your trusted contractor in Minnesota

Metro Paving is your trusted asphalt contractor for ongoing asphalt paving and maintenance services in Minnesota. 

Whether it’s asphalt paving or asphalt patching you require, we offer a range of services to ensure your parking lot maintenance plan is productive and effective. Not just to reduce the stress and hassle of paving problems, but to save you money in the long-term from costly repair work.