You may not be too concerned about a puddle forming on your commercial parking lot. What’s the worst that could happen? Someone gets their feet wet or splashed by a passing vehicle, right? In the winter, maybe someone slides around a bit or perhaps even falls. No big deal, right? Well, any commercial paving contractor will tell you that the puddle is only the beginning of a potentially much larger issue.

A puddle often is evidence of a problem under the blacktop. Either it is simply the ground underneath settling, or it can also denote erosion of the asphalt material itself. Regardless, the puddle will keep damaging the surface until cracks appear and then the water will certainly damage the ground beneath creating a pothole or worse. The longer you wait to get a commercial paving contractor involved, the more you will end up paying to resolve the issue as it will only get bigger and worse over time.

Once you do get a commercial paving contractor involved, the first step is asphalt repair in most cases. Especially if it has been left for too long. Perhaps the underlying structure will need to be strengthened, too. After that, it may be pertinent to enlist a sealcoat company in Minnesota to apply a seal coat that will add another layer of protection to your blacktop. Doing this can extend the life of the blacktop and keep your puddle problem to a minimum.

Ultimately, it is up to you to keep an eye out for puddles and call in a commercial paving contractor to take a look when you suspect coming issues. Some contractors offer various maintenance programs where they do regular inspections so that you don’t have to worry about it. Your commercial paving contractor will inform you of any developing situations. Either way you do it, don’t ignore what is seemingly a harmless puddle in a sea of blacktop.