Commercial Excavation: Diagnosing Parking Lot Problems

Maintaining a functional and safe parking lot is essential for any business owner, and if your parking lot seems prone to issues such as cracking, potholes or buckling, it’s smart to hire a parking lot paving company to provide you with commercial excavation and investigation services. Let’s take a quick look at some common parking lot issues and our investigation process.

Recognizing Signs of Parking Lot Degradation

A business owner might notice several warning signs indicating structural or drainage issues with their parking lot. Cracks and uneven surfaces can signal foundational problems, such as soil settlement or subgrade erosion. Potholes suggest that the integrity of the asphalt has been compromised, possibly due to the freeze-thaw cycle (rarely in Florida) or heavy traffic.

Pooling water or consistent wet spots are telltale signs of inadequate drainage, which can erode the base layers of the lot over time. Furthermore, if the pavement appears to be crumbling or there are areas of discoloration, these could be symptoms of underlying issues requiring immediate attention. It's these visual cues that often warrant a closer look by excavation experts to diagnose the true extent of the problem.

Of course, growing tree roots are another source of serious issues in parking lots. In many cases, these trees need to be removed. We recommend replanting with shallow-rooted trees and using root barriers to protect your parking lot.

The Role of A Commercial Excavation Company

Excavation plays a crucial role in diagnosing parking lot issues by exposing the subgrade—the layer of soil beneath the pavement surface. By examining the subgrade, experts can determine if problems like poor soil stability, inadequate compaction, or insufficient drainage are compromising the integrity of the parking lot.

Identifying these issues early on through professional excavation can prevent surface-level problems, such as cracks and potholes, from evolving into more significant structural failures. Professional diagnosis is essential because it not only spots visible damage but also uncovers hidden flaws that could lead to costly repairs if left unaddressed. The expertise of professionals ensures a comprehensive assessment, leading to accurate, effective solutions that maintain the parking lot's safety and longevity.

From Diagnosis to Solution: The Excavation Process

The process of diagnosing parking lot issues begins with an initial site assessment, where experts visually inspect for signs of distress. Following this, precision excavation is conducted to reveal the subgrade and assess the extent of any damage or instability. During this phase, contractors might employ ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to image the subsurface without disruptive digging.

Core sampling may also be used to analyze the composition and compaction of underlying materials. Once data is gathered, engineers use this information, often with computer-aided design (CAD) software, to develop a detailed remediation plan that addresses specific issues such as poor compaction, insufficient drainage, or material failure.

The plan is then presented to the business owner, outlining the necessary repairs, costs, and projected outcomes. This high-tech, methodical approach ensures a thorough understanding of the problems and the creation of an effective, long-term solution.

Once we’ve uncovered the problems and fixed these issues, we can then apply new asphalt to your parking lot area and apply a seal coat. A new asphalt lot, especially a lot with proper drainage and soil compaction, should last between 20 to 30 years if properly maintained. It is crucial for business owners to understand that the longevity of a parking lot is tied to the owner’s commitment to ongoing asphalt parking lot maintenance and addressing any damage promptly.

We recommend that all business owners inspect the lot on a regular basis and schedule regular inspections with a commercial paving company. During these inspections, we can spot small issues and fix them before they become huge, expensive problems. Sealing cracks, ensuring that drainage is working properly, and regular seal coating go a long way to preserving your parking lot for as long as possible.

Trust Us For All Your Parking Lot Maintenance Services!

At Quality Parking Lot Maintenance, we provide a wide range of services to ensure that your parking lot and walkways are in great condition and always looking their best. We have the expertise to handle a wide range of commercial projects.

This includes commercial excavation services and other parking lot services at apartment communities, hospitals & medical facilities, schools, business parks, strip malls and just about any type of commercial property.

In addition to commercial excavation, we also can install a new asphalt parking lot or a concrete lot, as well as sealcoating a parking lot and provide any type of asphalt parking lot repairs that you may need. Naturally, once we have completed resurfacing and sealcoating, we also can provide you with whatever type of line striping you might need. We are based in Tampa and serve commercial properties throughout the state of Florida. Contact us at any time to receive a free cost estimate for our services.