Worn asphalt parking lots may be crisscrossed with cracks, pocked with the beginnings of potholes, and covered in loosening gravel. The good news is you may be able to resurface rather than replace the asphalt. Resurfacing involves grinding off the top layer of the old asphalt and installing a fresh new layer to replace it. 

1. Reduce Business Interruptions

Lack of parking and active exterior work can be off-putting to customers, so reducing the amount of time your lot is out of commission should be a high priority. A parking lot replacement can take a week or longer while resurfacing can be completed in as little as a weekend depending on your lot size. Larger lots can be resurfaced in sections so the entire lot isn't closed down at the same time.

2. Extend Paving Life

A full parking lot replacement requires the removal of both paving and the base layer so that everything can be reconstructed from the ground up, which is time-consuming and expensive. Resurfacing the lot can add a decade or longer to the lot's life span, although the actual longevity depends on the local climate, the amount of traffic, and how well the lot is maintained. 

3. Improve Parking Lot Safety

Potholes and other issues with the paving can pose a hazard to both cars and pedestrians. Bumpy lots are hard on tires and the suspension of cars, which can lead to customers going elsewhere. Parking lot damages also can pose tripping hazards or pose a challenge to those with mobility issues, which can be a liability risk for your business. Resurfacing fixes surface damages to create a safer lot.

4. Enable Easier Maintenance

Asphalt maintenance is a must, but it's hard to do correctly when the lot is beginning to suffer the damages of wear, tear, and aging. Although small damages, such as the stray crack or the occasional pothole, can be repaired, extensive damages become harder to patch which means lot maintenance begins to suffer. With a new surface, there are no existing damages to manage, so only preventative maintenance is needed to care for the lot.

5. Enhance Curb Appeal

One of the first things about your business your customers will experience is your parking lot, so you want to keep it looking nice. Faded parking lot striping, cracks, potholes, and other damages look shabby and can leave a bad first impression. A resurfaced parking lot looks brand new, down to the newly painted lines and smooth surface. 

Contact a commercial paving company to learn more.