A parking lot that is well-striped and properly marked is a safer, more attractive pavement. Visible, appropriate pavement striping and marking can guide drivers from the time they enter your lot until they park their vehicles. When they are ready to leave, your markings help them safely navigate to the exit. Confused or distracted drivers pose potential hazards to other drivers, your property, and pedestrians. If your asphalt parking lot needs fresh striping, you may be wondering whether it might be possible for your striping contractor to perform the work during the winter months. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to the question that would be universally correct under all circumstances.
How Does Cold Weather Affect a Contractor’s Ability to Perform Asphalt Striping?
Virtually every product used for paving maintenance has temperature limitations, and the quality of the work can be impacted if the ground is too cold. It is important to remember that the ground temperature can be significantly lower or higher than the ambient temperature. Although there are various paint choices for pavement striping, most of them require a ground temperature of at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and none of them can be used if the temperature is below freezing. If you want your pavement striping contractor also to repair your cracks and sealcoat your parking lot, there will be additional complexities. Depending on the type of filler, asphalt crackfilling can usually be performed whenever the ground temperature is suitable for striping. Still, sealcoating products need a minimum temperature of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the condition of your pavement can play a part in its temperature. If it is new and dark in color, it will absorb heat from the sun faster and more intensely than one that has faded.
What Other Weather-Related Conditions Affect Asphalt Paving Maintenance in the Winter?
Naturally, striping contractors cannot do their jobs while precipitation is falling. However, since asphalt crackfilling, sealcoating, and striping all require a dry pavement, the weather in the days leading up to and immediately following the work can play havoc with the contractor’s schedule. For example, if a heavy thunderstorm occurs the previous night, the pavement may not be dry enough for the contractor to proceed. A string of nights with temperatures below freezing may mean that the ground may be too cold even if the air temperature on the scheduled day is over 60 degrees Fahrenheit. An overcast day or a high humidity level may pose problems by extending paints and sealants’ drying time. Rain or freezing temperatures within the first 12 to 24 hours can affect the work’s longevity or appearance. Therefore, your pavement striping contractor may be unable to guarantee that your work can be performed on a specific day until the day before or the day of your appointment.asphalt crackfillingp
Choose an Expert in Asphalt Parking Lot Maintenance to Avoid Costly Disappointments
At MH Greeson, we specialize in commercial asphalt maintenance for clients in the Atlanta metropolitan area and other locations in North Georgia. Our services include asphalt crack sealing, sealcoating, pothole repair, parking lot striping and pavement marking, traffic sign installation, parking lot car stops, and bollard installation. We have the experience to deliver exceptional quality at reasonable prices. To request a free quote, fill out the online form or call our Marietta office at 770-335-2983.
