Maintaining the asphalt surface on your commercial property in Minnesota is more than just a matter of appearance. It’s fundamental to safety and good customer service. A dingy lot with faded parking space lines leaves visitors with a negative impression of your business.

Today, we’re talking about maximizing the life of asphalt striping.

If you want to boost the performance and longevity of striping, you need actionable strategies. Read on for tips designed to ensure the striping in your lot stands the test of time.

Proper Planning and Design

A successful asphalt striping project begins long before you paint the first line. It starts with proper planning and design. Both help create a foundation for durability and longevity.

Planning and design are the blueprints of your project. They determine how well striping performs in Minnesota’s harsh climate. Planning should account for traffic flow, weather patterns, and the specific needs of your property.

Planning for Drainage Solutions

Speaking of design, drainage solutions play a vital role in safeguarding your asphalt striping. Proper drainage is not just about avoiding puddles in your parking lot. It’s a strategic approach to preserving your asphalt.

Proper drainage isn’t only essential for the lifespan and structural integrity of the asphalt itself. Here’s how drainage solutions impact striping:

Prevents Water Damage

Without adequate drainage, water pools on the surface. Pooling water can keep striping submerged for long periods. Waterlogged striping becomes less visible, making it challenging for drivers to identify lanes and parking spaces.

Minimizes Fading

Prolonged exposure to standing water can speed up the fading of striping materials. Proper drainage minimizes the duration of water contact, reducing the risk of fading.

Prevents Asphalt Damages

Water seeping into cracks and gaps in the asphalt impacts striping. As the water seeps beneath the striping material, it can lead to lifting or peeling.

Drainage solutions contribute to the longevity and visibility of the striping on asphalt surfaces. By addressing drainage issues, you are not only protecting the asphalt. You enhance the functionality, safety, and appearance of your property.

Don’t Skimp on Materials

Quality materials and durability go hand-in-hand. When your property is in a location where the weather can be unforgiving, top-quality materials aren’t negotiable. Key materials used for asphalt striping include:

  • Traffic Paint
  • Thermoplastic striping
  • Epoxy
  • Preformed thermoplastic tape
  • Reflective materials

High-quality materials offer superior resistance to cracking, peeling, and other forms of damage. Materials should be visible, durable, and capable of withstanding the rigors of traffic, weather, and time.

Ask your asphalt contractor what materials they’ll use for your striping project. They should use top-quality materials designed for Minnesota’s climate.

Highlighting the Value of Regular Maintenance

Proactive maintenance is like giving your lot a shield against the challenges of climate and normal wear and tear. Sealcoating services, for instance, provide a protective layer. Sealcoating creates a barrier against moisture, UV rays, and harsh chemicals.

Regular maintenance for asphalt striping is also important. Here’s why:

Visibility and Safety

Regular maintenance, including lot cleaning and re-striping, ensures the striping remains highly visible. Faded striping can lead to confusion, accidents, and parking violations.

Compliance and Regulations

As a business owner, you must follow specific regulations and codes about asphalt striping. Regular maintenance helps keep your business compliant with these regulations. You reduce the risk of fines or legal liabilities.

Cost Savings

Investing in routine maintenance is cost-effective. Regular cleaning and minor touch-ups are more affordable than allowing striping to deteriorate. It helps you avoid the need for costly, large-scale striping projects.

Enhanced Appearance

Well-maintained asphalt striping improves the appearance of your property. It gives a polished appearance, which can positively influence the perception of your business.

Extended Lifespan

Regular maintenance helps extend the lifespan of your striping materials. This means you won’t need to replace striping as frequently. It’s not only cost-effective but also environmentally responsible.

Snow and Ice Management

Managing snow and ice is something you can’t ignore if you want to maintain the integrity of your asphalt striping project. Snow and ice removal plans are your first line of defense.

Failing to clear snow and ice promptly can lead to many problems, including:

  • Fading
  • Reduced contrast
  • Deterioration

Water from melting snow and ice seep into cracks and gaps in the asphalt. This could affect the adhesive properties of striping materials. A good plan helps defend your lot against Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycles and other climate-related asphalt damage.

Why Routine Inspections Matter

Along with regular lot maintenance, routine inspections of both asphalt and asphalt paving help you maintain the value of your investment.

One advantage of inspections is the ability to catch issues early before they cause big problems. Asphalt problems, such as asphalt raveling, cracks, potholes, or drainage issues, don’t show up overnight. They brew under the surface long before they become visible.

By conducting regular inspections, your asphalt service company can address these issues while they’re still manageable.

Your maintenance crew can perform quick DIY inspections. However, a professional asphalt company should conduct thorough inspections at least once a year.

Proactive Patching and Repairs

Patching and repairs play a crucial role in extending the life of asphalt striping. Repairing damaged asphalt surfaces helps maintain a smooth, even base for striping. Cracks, potholes, and other surface defects affect the adherence and visibility of striping.

By addressing these issues, you prevent the striping from becoming uneven, lifting, or peeling.

Water infiltration into cracks and damaged areas of the asphalt can compromise the striping. It causes striping to deteriorate and fade. Patching helps prevent water infiltration, reducing the risk of water-related striping damage.

Investing in patching and repairs is cost-effective. Timely repairs prevent small issues from escalating. By addressing surface defects before they become severe, you reduce the need for costly re-striping or resurfacing.

Contact Us to Schedule Asphalt Services

We’ve shared a few tips on extending the life of asphalt striping. If you take action now, you’ll take long strides toward optimizing the investment in your asphalt lot.

ACI Asphalt and Concrete is your go-to resource for all your asphalt service needs. Since 1993, we’ve helped customers all over Minnesota and Wisconsin keep their asphalt lots in top condition.

Reach out today for a customized quote. We’d love to welcome you to our family of satisfied clients.

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Published On: November 8, 2023By Categories: ACI Asphalt