Many car parks are made using asphalt. It’s smooth, robust and withstands high-traffic areas such as these with ease. At Colossal Allies Asphalt, we install new asphalt and bitumen driveways Brisbane and restore ones that need a little TLC. If you are considering asphalt for your business car park, here is everything you need to know!
Why having an appealing and intact car park is so important
The car park is a customer’s first impression of your business. If it has potholes, cracks or tree roots breaking through the surface, these not only look unsightly but they can become a potential trip hazard to those who use your car park. When it is old and deteriorating, it can make your business look unkempt and some may see the maintenance of the car park as a reflection of your business and how much care or little care you put into the services you are offering. Appearance is key and your car park is one of the first things your customers will see when they visit your place of work.
Why asphalt is a good paving choice for a carpark
Asphalt is recognised for its superior strength and longevity. It is often used for road surfacing as well as commercial car parks. It’s smooth to drive on, economical and can tolerate varying weights and the elements well.
Benefits to choosing asphalt over other types of potential car park materials
There are several benefits to choosing asphalt over other types of paving materials, including:
- It cures fast enabling drivers to use it sooner than they could if it was another material such as concrete.
- It’s a flexible material and it can contract and expand in extreme temperatures, making it less prone to cracking.
- It can be customised to suit any layout and style of driveway.
- Asphalt is much more affordable than some other types of paving choices.
- It’s quick and straightforward to install causing the least disruption to your business possible.
- Asphalt’s deep black colour accentuates line markings
- Offers superior traction and is smooth to walk and drive on
Factors that need to be considered when installing an asphalt carpark
The design of your carpark
When installing a new asphalt car park, it is essential that you hire a reputable contractor for several reasons. It will ensure that it’s safe, made to last, and that it drains water away properly. Consider the best design given the layout of your car park to produce the most aesthetically appealing result.
Water Drainage
The gradient should be evaluated before laying the asphalt in your car park. This is essential to prevent water from collecting water on the surface when it rains. Pooling water can permeate through the top asphalt layers and cause potholes and cracks to form. Not only that, but it can be dangerous or at the very least inconvenient for your customers to drive and park on.
Installing soakwells in your car park will take water from the asphalt’s surface and direct it into the ground without compromising the base layer.
Installing bollards
Sometimes bollards are needed in a car park to section off areas to prevent drivers from going there. These can be installed during the asphalt laying process.
Kerbing
Kerbing is a good idea as it protects the edges of your asphalt and prevents premature deterioration as well as stops weeds and water from infiltrating from underneath. When asphalt doesn’t have kerbing, especially in a high-traffic area like a car park, it will likely break down sooner than it would with kerbing.
Line marking
You will likely need to have line marking done on your car park to display parking spaces, directions, lanes etc. If this is the case, our friendly team can offer recommendations on this.
Different types of car parks where asphalt can be used
Asphalt is a highly sought-after car park material and it can be used for many applications, including:
- Small, medium and large sized businesses
- Industrial and commercial carparks
- Unit, townhouse and apartment complexes
- Schools, universities, colleges
What if you already have an asphalt car park but it doesn’t look good
If you already have an asphalt car park but it doesn’t look as good as it could, you can improve its function and aesthetics by having it resurfaced. Resurfacing can restore colour, fill in cracks and make it look brand new again. You can extend the lifespan and appearance of your asphalt car park by having seal coating done. This protects it from the elements and prevents issues such as cracks or potholes from forming.
What about potholes in the car park, can these be fixed?
If your car park is full of potholes and someone injuries themselves in one, you may be held liable. It’s in everyone’s best interest if the integrity of the car park is maintained properly. Seeing to issues straight away not only ensures the safety of the people using it but it looks better too.
Determining whether repairs will be sufficient or an entire replacement will be required
There are some standard rules when determining whether you can repair damaged asphalt or whether it needs to be replaced. If the asphalt has extensive damage such as multiple potholes, significant cracks or large tree root damage, an entire replacement is usually the best course of action as repairing these can make the finished product look messy and further damage will likely occur. Once water has infiltrated the lower base level, it can cause further potholes to arise. Typically for potholes that are less than 20mm, overlapping is required to ensure adequate adhesion. For potholes bigger than 20mm, the area will need to be cut out and refilled with new asphalt.
If your asphalt is faded but in otherwise good condition, seal coating may be all that’s needed. If it has smaller cracks, resurfacing it will usually fill these up and provide the car park with a renewed and smooth appearance once more.
Written by Contributor Rosy
