Property owners and managers should pay close attention to the pavements in and around their property. Never does this hold truer than in schools where aging pavements can put children in harm’s way. Pavement maintenance goes a long way in preserving public safety and reducing the need for costly repairs.
If you’re a school owner or administrator, here are some handy tips to extend the life of paved surfaces.
Take Full Inventory
Some pavements age at a faster rate than others. Traffic load and weather conditions can speed up the deterioration process. The type of building materials, design, and construction quality also play a role.
The first step of pavement maintenance is to assess the current condition of your pavements. Inspect your property during a time of light traffic. Take note of any signs of wear and tear, severity, and exact location.
The most common pavement deficiencies are:
- Corrugation
- Cracks
- Peeling/Blistering
- Potholes
- Weathering
- Inadequate drainage
- Inadequate skid resistance
The maintenance would depend on the pavement type. Flexible pavements require rehabilitation every 10 to 15 years, while rigid pavements are less demanding. The latter can last 20-40 years without strict maintenance.
Meet Your Contractor
After finishing your inspection, call your contractor. An informed eye may spot issues that you probably overlooked.
It’s good practice to prepare for basic questions that your contractor may ask during their visit:
- How many years has the pavement been in place?
- When’s the last visual inspection?
- What repairs have been done since then?
Make sure to share your initial findings with your contractor. They will determine the best course of action based on their inspection.
Make Time for Regular Repairs
Building owners should take a proactive approach to pavement maintenance. Instead of deferring treatment until it is absolutely necessary, it pays to have a pavement preservation program.
School pavements, in particular, need to be well-maintained to keep students and staff safe. Pavement preservation covers timely responses to minor issues like cracks and potholes. Seal cracks right away to prevent water and debris from reaching inner layers. Repair potholes as soon as they form to protect pedestrians and drivers alike.
Pavement preservation aims to slow down the deterioration process and restoring the serviceability of structures. Preventive treatments focus on the surface or near-surface.
In addition to crack and chip sealing, other examples of pavement preservation methods include:
- Slurry or micro-surfacing
- Concrete joint sealing
- Diamond grinding
- Dowel-bar retrofit
- Concrete repairs
Proactive pavement maintenance can translate to significant savings for building owners. The LA County Department of Public Works estimates that preventive maintenance can cost $29,000. On the other hand, complete pavement reconstruction can set you back a whopping $348,500.
Invest In Commercial Cleaning Services
Since debris and mold tend to grow on pavements, owners may also consider investing in commercial cleaning services.
Professional cleaners can perform routine maintenance work, such as cleaning roadside ditches and structures. These professionals can also clean hard-to-reach areas where debris accumulates.
Pay Attention to Surfaces
Pavement surfaces bear signs of damage after being exposed to the elements. Over time, surfaces can become slippery and hazardous for kids on their way to school.
As part of regular pavement maintenance, your contractor may recommend seal coating. During this process, a liquid coating is applied to protect asphalt pavement from the elements. Seal coating is generally recommended every three years.
For moderate structural distress, a contractor may recommend resurfacing or pavement overlay. A new asphalt layer around 1.5-2 inches thick is laid over the existing pavement during resurfacing. Resurfacing is aimed at improving surface texture and resistance.
How often you should resurface depends on several factors, including asphalt age and the extent of the damage.
Know Your Options for Rehabilitation
For older pavements that have sustained extensive damage, routine maintenance and preservation may no longer be enough. By this stage, rehabilitation and reconstruction are the remaining options.
Rehabilitation is necessary when the damage exceeds the scope of regular maintenance but is not too severe for reconstruction. The most common rehabilitation treatments include:
- Rubberized asphalt
- Cold in-place recycling
- Cold central plant recycling
Full-depth reclamation is another rehabilitation technique. During this process, the surface is pulverized and blended to serve as a base for new pavement.
However, these processes are far more expensive than pavement preservation. The LA County DPW estimates that major rehabilitation and reconstruction will set you back $3-$5 per square foot.
Pavement Maintenance in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA
Pavement maintenance is an important but often overlooked part of property management. But there’s no need to learn all this by yourself. Instead, you can hire professionals to do the job and keep your pavements in top shape.
A trusted contractor can time treatments to reduce costs and preserve the quality of your building. That way, you can focus your energies on running your business.
For professional property maintenance, look no further than Prestige Property Services. For 15 years, we have been providing high-quality commercial cleaning services to establishments across Orange County and Los Angeles. We can make sure that our cleaning services contribute to a safe and learning environment at your school.
Get a free on-site consultation or call us today at (714) 224-0301. We look forward to serving all your commercial cleaning needs.
