Keeping Warehouse Parking Lots Safe and Functional With Asphalt Crack Filling

Asphalt is durable, but it’s not invincible. Every parking lot will crack at some point, whether due to age or damage. However, even small cracks shouldn’t go ignored, especially in warehouse parking lots. These lots see significant traffic from personal vehicles and trucks, resulting in a lot of extra wear and tear over time. 

In Salt Lake City, even more challenges arise due to the unique climate. Keep reading to see how asphalt crack filling can push off the need for expensive repaving services and help you maintain your warehouse’s parking lot.

Are Those Little Cracks Really a Big Deal?

Yes! Left alone long enough, those little cracks will eventually form potholes. In a warehouse parking lot, where trucks come and go regularly, those potholes can lead to significant damage to vehicles and pose a safety risk for people walking or driving across the asphalt.

How Asphalt Cracks Form and Worsen

Cracks can occur for all sorts of reasons, including general wear and tear and age. However, in Salt Lake City, a few factors exacerbate this problem.

• Temperature Changes: This is a common problem in Salt Lake City, especially when winter temperatures can become quite frigid. Freeze-thaw cycles lead to expansion and contraction of the asphalt, which contributes to cracks.
• Moisture: All that winter snow can spell big trouble for Salt Lake City parking lots. As moisture penetrates the asphalt, it can wash away the gravel and sand base, leading to shifting that causes cracks. As water enters the cracks and freezes, it expands and forces the asphalt apart further.
• Sun: Unprotected asphalt can degrade under the sun’s UV rays. It dries out and becomes more brittle, contributing to cracks.
• Salt: During winter months, it’s necessary to put out salt to improve traction and reduce slippage on ice. However, salt can speed up the oxidation process and leave asphalt crack-prone.

The Problem With Alligator Cracking

Alligator cracking is a specific type of cracking that forms a rough, almost scaly pattern of interconnected fissures. Aptly named for its resemblance to the scales on an alligator, these cracks typically result from heavy traffic. They’re especially common on older asphalt or when the lot has inadequate drainage that erodes its foundation. 

Warehouse parking lots see a range of traffic, from the hundreds of employees driving on it to trucks coming and going with shipments. When these cracks can lead to potholes and other structural issues, it’s in your best interest to repair it as soon as possible to avoid costlier replacements and safety risks down the line.

Repairing Cracks in Your Warehouse Parking Lot’s Asphalt

Even if your warehouse parking lot has some cracks, there’s usually a solution available to prevent a total asphalt replacement. Asphalt crack filling is one such service. 

This process requires the cracks to be prepared first. Typically, asphalt repair companies utilize an air compression and/or heat treatment to remove dust, debris, vegetation, dirt and moisture. Then, crack-filling material is applied to the cleaned fissures. As it bonds to the asphalt, it provides a durable, watertight seal that prevents further deterioration and water penetration. 

Benefits of Asphalt Crack Filling

Asphalt crack filling is usually preferred to the alternative of repaving an entire lot when it’s possible. Doing so offers benefits such as:

• Increased Asphalt Life Span: Sealing off the cracks prevents them from worsening with time. Acting early and patching up your parking lot before the cracks worsen can extend its usable life.
• Fewer Repairs in the Future: Addressing cracks early helps prevent the damage from spreading or worsening, resulting in fewer repairs than if you don’t take action at all.
• Safety: Cracks and potholes pose serious tripping hazards and you may be liable for any injuries or damages that result due to the disrepair of your parking lot.

Keep Warehouse Operations Running Smoothly With Asphalt Crack Filling

Don’t let a cracked, damaged parking lot slow you down. Investing in asphalt crack-filling services as necessary can prevent worsening damage and potholes that require more intensive repairs down the line.

At EverLine Coatings, we patch up cracks all the time. We’ve got our process down to an art and help warehouses like yours extend the usable life span of their asphalt. When you need comprehensive asphalt repair services in Salt Lake City, we’re the team to call. Contact us today to learn more about our asphalt crack filling services.