What
Happens to a Property Without a Pavement Maintenance Program?
No, our intention isn’t to scare you with horror stories of sink holes
swallowing cars! As someone responsible for a commercial property, we thought
you might like to gather more information, or maybe this is just a refresher
for you. Either way, please read on for some insightful information, a few
tips, and yes there will also be some worse case scenarios just to keep
pavement maintenance top of your mind the next time you walk the property for a
review.
What is a Pavement
Maintenance Program?
Well, it’s no different than a personal fitness plan, a nutrition plan,
or an interior cleaning plan. Since everything changes, continuously, we need
to perform certain activities to revitalize elements that will naturally
deteriorate with the passing of time. Asphalt pavement is composed of materials
that will be broken down by nature’s elements like the wind, the sun, rain, and
snow; in addition to man-made fossil fuels and their emissions. By
understanding the pace of that breakdown, we can plan to protect and refresh
those protecting agents on a periodic basis. So, a near constant state of
appearance and function is possible with the right plan, materials, and
deployment
What is the Worst
that can Happen?
Every property is unique and carries its own potential liability beyond
damage and repairs to exterior surfaces. It really comes down to the purpose of your commercial property and your
priorities. Here are the most important considerations to keep in mind:
- Proper asphalt maintenance will reduce your costs by about half over the
life of the surface – that’s significant!
- A damaged surface greatly increases liability risk for physical and
personal property accidents.
- As the surface ages, it will negatively affect the property’s curb
appeal.
- If there is exterior signage with tenants or owners listed – a property
in disrepair reflects on those brands.
- Lower curb appeal will fetch lower lease rates.
- You’ll need to plan for the inevitability of a very large cash outlay to reconstruct the paved surface.
What’s the
Difference between Maintenance and Timely Repair?
A proactively managed property will always financially outperform a
reactive one; it’s basic math, and it is a certainty. An effectively managed pavement management plan will maintain the condition of the original surface by
protecting the underlying areas from moisture and other environmental
contaminants that can seep in through surface cracks as they develop. By
retaining a strong impermeable top layer of asphalt, the entire system avoids
invasive elements from disrupting the perfect balance below the surface.
Untreated cracks are the first warning signal for big costs ahead so heed the
advice of wise property owners – find a trusted pavement solutions company to
first consult with about the unique needs of your parking lot, driveway, access
route, or private road. Most will provide a free consultation and quote to help
you with the plan.
My father used to say: "hope for the best, but plan for the worst”. I
think that’s old school thinking, especially for property management. A more appropriate
motto might be: "Plan the maintenance, and retain the earnings!”