It isn’t a term of endearment for nothing, El Paso’s reputation as the Sun City comes from a very real characteristic of the region. The city sees an average of 297 sunny days a year. Even our coldest months are infused with a blanketing shower of sunlight that extends from the Franklin Mountains to the easternmost tip of the city. And this, though you might not often think about it can have a great effect on your commercial parking lot.
What Are UV Rays?
We hear about them all the time. We hear that they can be dangerous and bad for our health. We are told to put on sunscreen and make sure to block them. So what exactly is a UV ray and why are they important to note? UV stands for ultraviolet radiation. Sunlight is the main source of UV rays and the main cause of the sun’s damaging effects on human skin.
How Does that Affect Your Paving and Commercial Parking Lot?
Don’t underestimate the power of the sun. Believe it or not, UV Rays from the sun will affect the quality of your pavement and parking lot over time. There is not much you can do about the sun, obviously, but there are things you can do to protect your lot and help mitigate some of these effects.
- Don’t allow a haphazard paving job. Many store owners will often have problems with their parking lot within a few years of installation. This means the installation was not good to begin with. Laying asphalt requires proper preparation of the soil and the land. The foundational layer—what we call in the industry, the sub-base— provides stable support for the asphalt. Without this stable support, the asphalt is prone to weathering effects and cracking. It must be fully compacted in order to make it durable and improve its shelf life.
- Fix damaged areas immediately. If you have potholes, cracks, or what we call crocodile cracking in your parking lot, the best course of action s to fix it immediately. Letting the cracks sit there in the sun will only ensure that the damage process is sped up. Damaged pavement is far more susceptible to continued effects of the UV rays.
- Sealcoat for added protection. Sealcoating is an added layer of protection on your asphalt. It slows down oxidation and acts as a protective layer against the sun. Think of it like sunscreen that you apply on your skin to protect from the effects of sunlight. Of course, sealcoating also protects against other kinds of damage, traffic, and moisture and so on. Having a sealcoat done every two years or so can extend the life of your asphalt parking lot and protect your initial investment.
Keep Your Asphalt Young with Rick’s Paving and Sealing
Rick’s Paving and Sealing has specialized in commercial parking lots for many years. We understand the weathering effects that happen to asphalt in the desert. Proper installation, sealcoating and fixing damaged areas promptly will really go a long way to extend the life of your lot. Are you noticing your lot cracking? Can’t remember the last time you had it sealcoated? Call us today and we’ll give you a free estimate.
