You are currently viewing Common Parking Lot Drainage Issues

Common Parking Lot Drainage Issues

If you are reading this, chances are that you manage a parking lot in the Greater Sacramento Area. You are also likely experiencing drainage issues on your asphalt surface, especially after rain or thunderstorms.

While a properly paved asphalt parking lot is equipped to handle intense rainfall, drainage issues can arise due to several reasons. Faulty drainage in a parking lot is usually evident when water pools on the surface instead of flowing underground, the way it should be.

At Action Asphalt, we perform asphalt services for parking lots and other commercial properties. Click here to learn more. In today’s article, we will talk about common drainage issues in asphalt parking lots.

Water Flows Towards Your Store/Office

Sometimes, inexperienced paving contractors do not check for proper drainage before installing asphalt. Faulty or missing drainage features like inlets and catch basins results in water flowing towards your business premises instead of the drains.

When it rains or snow melts, the water follows from the center of the parking lot and towards the building. This not only restricts access for customers, but it also leads to issues like flooding or mold growth inside your store/office.

To prevent this, you should reach out to your contractor to add curbs and slopes for redirecting the water flow.

Water Accumulates In Specific Areas

Secondly, a common sign that there’s something wrong with your parking lot drainage is that water pools in the same spots after every storm. Then when it rains more, water begins to cover the surrounding areas as well.

Once again, standing water makes your business inaccessible for customers and employees. Wet surfaces also lead to driving issues and accidents. Moreover, standing water is also a health hazard as it may contain contaminants from storm runoff.

Pooling happens because of many reasons. These specific areas may have depressions due to ground erosion or because of pressure from heavy vehicles.

It is also possible that the ground beneath the pavement wasn’t excavated during the initial paving, leaving sand, rock, and other materials underneath. Pooling may also occur because of large cracks and potholes or changes in the design of the lot due to past repairs.

Depending on the underlying issue, your contractor may try to level the surface or create slopes to redirect the water flow. Or he may go for underground excavation, which requires more time.

Water Has Eroded Sections Of The Parking Lot

Finally, drainage issues can lead to significant deterioration of your asphalt parking lot. Water is bad for asphalt, which is why you need proper drainage to protect both the surface and the underlying base of your parking lot in the Greater Sacramento Area.

At Action Asphalt, we perform a complete range of asphalt paving, repair, and maintenance services. Click here to talk to our experts about water damage on your pavement. We will soon visit your parking lot for a full inspection and then give you a free quote on our services.