Commercial properties and large residential associations in Orlando, Florida face heavy wear on their pavement. Florida weather tears up asphalt very quickly. Between the heavy summer downpours rolling off Lake Eola and the brutal heat baking the Orlando sun into our pavement every afternoon, parking lots take a serious beating. When patching and sealcoating are no longer cutting it, a full paving project is required. Apex Asphalt Co helps clients plan for commercial asphalt paving without losing time or money.
The Timeline: What the Process Actually Looks Like
Property owners do not want a parking lot blocked off for weeks. Realistically, a standard commercial or multi-family parking lot paving job takes anywhere from 3 to 7 days, depending on the size and scope. Day one is usually demo and grading if we are tearing out old asphalt. Then comes the sub-base compaction. If you skip proper compaction in Orlando’s sandy, high-water-table soil, your new asphalt will fail in two years flat. Next goes down the binder course and the final surface layer of hot mix asphalt. Finally, we stripe it out. Total downtime for curing usually spans 24 to 48 hours for foot traffic and light vehicles.
How to Prepare Your Property
You cannot just show up with heavy machinery and start digging. Property managers have to prep tenants or residents weeks in advance. Send out notices about phased closures so nobody gets their car trapped behind a barricade. Make sure irrigation systems near the lot are turned off a couple of days prior, because wet subgrade is a major problem for asphalt contractors. Clear out any dumpsters, storage pods, or abandoned vehicles lingering on the property. At Apex Asphalt Co, we always map out a traffic control plan with you beforehand so mail carriers, delivery trucks, and emergency services still have a way through.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign Any Contract
Never sign a dotted line until you get straight answers. Ask about the thickness of the asphalt base and surface layers, such as whether you are getting 1.5 inches or 2 inches of asphalt. Find out if the paving company owns their equipment or rents it, because rental delays can stall your project for weeks during peak season. Ask how they handle drainage, which is very important around Orlando where afternoon deluges pool up fast on flat lots. Make sure they pull the right permits and carry general liability plus workers' compensation insurance. If a contractor shows up in an unmarked truck with a cash-only quote and no paperwork, do not hire them. Apex Asphalt Co provides Asphalt Paving services for homes and businesses in Orlando.