Of all the things you worry about when it comes to your company, proper parking lot drainage probably doesn't rank very high on the list. The truth, though, is that this is one concern that's worth your time. That's because pavement drainage can actually impact your company in big ways, from accessibility to safety to avoiding costly issues--so our Boise pavers have put together all the info you need to know.

The Truth About Drainage

To illustrate how crucial proper drainage can be, it's helpful to start at the beginning. Imagine a snowy Boise winter. All of that snow piles up in parking lots, and although it brings its own pains, the real problems don't start until all that snow melts. What you end up with then is a lot of water, and, if you don't have proper drainage, then that water has nowhere to go--which means that it will stand in your parking lot. Standing water is a danger to the integrity and longevity of pavement itself, not to mention a hazard for drivers and pedestrians. A parking lot with water damage can end up hurting your company--so don't overlook the importance of drainage!

What You Need to Know

Our Boise pavers know how to take care of pavement. Here are some tips on maintaining proper drainage!

Design. The good news is that most pavement is designed at a 1 percent slope so that any water that accumulates there has somewhere to go. Water travels downward toward curbs or retention areas, protecting the pavement from standing water. This means that you're probably pretty safe--but that doesn't mean issues won't arise. Problems. When pavement begins to wear down and get cracks or fractures, which happens naturally over time, those small imperfections allow water to seep in. If the fractures are allowed to get bigger, standing water can be an even bigger problem, because it will have time to get all the way to the foundation. This is why it's important to survey your pavement regularly and keep up with maintenance. Repair. Repairing pavement is one of the best ways you can limit water damage. It's not expensive or particularly hard, and when you call in the best Boise pavers, it will be painless. Pavement can be repaired with patches or can be fixed more completely--it all depends on your needs.

It's been a particularly long, cold winter for us. All that snow piled up for so long, and then all of the melting water running down the asphalt--it's been a tiring winter indeed! Now that spring is here, it's time to take care of your driveway by starting on some maintenance and take advantage of the best time to sealcoat: May.

The Importance of Maintenance

There are a lot of things you can do to keep your driveway looking attractive and usable for a long time to come, but by far the best plan is to keep up with regular maintenance. Driveways don't need a lot of care, but they do need regular care, and making sure that you're always on the lookout for drainage problems, cracks, and holes can mean the difference between a small problem and a big, expensive one. Remember that a little maintenance work now is much easier and cheaper than having to repair or replace your driveway later due to poor maintenance. Sealcoating is a great way to protect your driveway, and as it happens, May is the best time for a sealcoat.

Sealcoat Season

What do you need to know about sealcoat season?

Sealcoating: This process itself, no matter when it's done, is a huge relief to your driveway. It seals in the small cracks and holes and stops them from getting bigger, and, on top of that, it gives your driveway a fresh, attractive look. The Month of May. May is the ideal time to sealcoat because it's the one time of the year where perfect temperatures, low humidity, and mild wind overlap, meaning that sealcoat can dry quickly and safely. Dependable protection: One of the biggest benefits of sealcoating is that its dependable protection. This coating will protect your driveway for years to come, giving you peace of mind (on top of a fresh driveway).

In many ways, your business parking lot is as important as your building. A well-maintained parking lot adds aesthetic value to your building and grounds and gives customers and employees a safe place to park. A parking lot that's cracked, stained, or showing other signs of deterioration sends a message, and it's not a good one.

If you're adding a new parking lot or upgrading an existing one, here's a look at why asphalt is the preferred choice of businesses everywhere.

Asphalt or Concrete?

You know you need a parking lot, but should you choose concrete or asphalt? Consider these facts.

Asphalt is faster and less expensive to install. Depending on the size, an asphalt parking lot or driveway can be installed and ready for use in as little as two days. Concrete can takes longer, which leads to higher costs and could delay the opening of your business. Asphalt is long lasting. With regular maintenance, your asphalt parking lot can serve your business for twenty years or even longer. Seal coating, overlays, fresh pavement markings, and routine patching can keep your parking lot looking its best for years to come. Asphalt is a greener solution. From water drainage solutions to recycling, asphalt is easier on the environment than a concrete parking lot. Asphalt can withstand winter weather. Idaho's winter weather can give your parking lot a real workout. Concrete parking lots are more susceptible to damage from frost heaves, contraction, and expansion from freezing temperatures, and damage caused by salt. Asphalt can withstand cold weather, is not affected by ice melt products, and the dark color absorbs more sunlight for better natural ice and snow melt.

When we think about asphalt, we tend to think about something permanent--something that remains strong and untouched by weather, traffic, or time, and can do its job with little to no maintenance. In truth, asphalt is strong and reliable, but it needs help to keep it safe, long-lasting, and trustworthy. One problem that asphalt faces are cracking, which can be a bigger issue than you might think.

Cracking

Asphalt can crack for many reasons, which is why cracking is among the most common of asphalt issues. In some cases, the asphalt was installed with incorrect thickness or insufficient base thickness, which means that the asphalt will be susceptible to cracking from the beginning. In other cases, a lack of regular maintenance can result in cracked, worn-out asphalt. Different problems have different solutions, so it's important to know what went wrong with your asphalt before you begin to fix it--both so that the issue stays resolved, and so that you don't cause more problems by trying to do the wrong thing. Asphalt cracks can be expensive--but only if you don't take your time when fixing them, or if you don't put a maintenance plan in place after repairs.

What You Need to Know

Our Boise paving experts have all the details on asphalt cracks. Here's a quick look!

Diagnosis. To find out what's causing cracks in your asphalt, it's usually best to consult a pavement expert. These professionals can measure every possible problem, from groundwater to heavy traffic to drainage issues, so that you can rest easy knowing you're targeting the problem at its source. Maintenance. Maintenance makes a big difference in ensuring the safety and longevity of your asphalt. Remember that seal coating is a crucial part of the asphalt life cycle, and doing it regularly will keep small problems from becoming huge, expensive catastrophes. Age. Another thing to know about asphalt is that time does make a difference. After three to four years, asphalt can naturally develop cracks along certain seams. The solution is to keep a close eye on your asphalt and call in the experts as soon as you see signs of cracking.

It’s winter time and snow and ice have arrived. To make sure your property is free from hazards you’ll want to have a plan in place for removal.

Why You Really Want to Have a Professional Do the Job 1. Saving Time

While it may seem like waiting for someone to come out and snow plow your property is time-consuming, it's much more effective than doing it yourself. Snow removal can take hours, and many companies will do it early in the morning. The time you save from snow plowing yourself can be used more efficiently.

2. Reducing Cost

Hiring someone to do a service may not seem like it would save you money, but it does. If you were to remove snow yourself, you would have to purchase and maintain a machine. The time spent on the snow plow or shoveling would also take away time from business-critical tasks.

3. Expert Service

Hiring a professional snow plow means you are looking to get a job done right. De-icing and snow removal are necessary for reducing hazards around your property. It’s a job that is best suited for someone with expertise and experience.

4. Liability and Safety

If you are inexperienced with a snow plow, chances are you could end up with an injury. De-icing and snow removal companies carry the risk of slipping and falling. If you hire a professional snow plow company, you remove yourself from a dangerous situation.

5. Payment Type

When you are deciding on a professional snow plowing service, consider if they are asking to be paid per push or a flat rate for the season. You’ll need to calculate which price makes more sense for your property.