How to Prevent Standing Water in Your Parking Lot

How to Prevent Standing Water in Your Parking Lot Paving Grand Rapids

Is your parking lot beginning to resemble a shallow pond? Not only does this reduce the number of available parking spaces, but it also damages the asphalt. If water is able to breach the foundation, it could cause permanent structural damage.

To avoid water damage, check out our tips below. We also recommend hiring A-1 Asphalt for all of your asphalt parking lot needs.

Use Sloped Surfaces

A reputable asphalt contractor will ensure your parking lot has a gentle slope between 1.5% and 3%. Otherwise, water won't be able to flow out and away from your parking lot through the power of gravity. Instead, it'll puddle in the middle and damage the asphalt.

For these same reasons, the contractor should slope the shoulders of your parking lot between 3% and 6%.

To avoid shady companies, check out our blog post on the top 5 red flags in an asphalt contractor.

Don't Allow Heavy Vehicles to Park

Do you allow heavy machinery or vehicles to park in your lot for extended periods of time? If so, the heavy weight will depress the surface of your parking lot. This creates ideal circumstances for standing water after it rains or the snow melts.

Water will always flow to the lowest point of your parking lot. This includes tire impressions.

Install Proper Drainage

Asphalt parking lots are impervious. This means that water will flow along the surface until it reaches a storm drain. Likewise, water may find its way into a grassy area or rain garden where it can seep into the ground.

As mentioned above, a necessary part of water drainage is using sloped surfaces. But it should also take into account the grade and the correct placement of storm drains.

Drainage can take many forms, depending on your preferences and budget constraints.

Plant a Rain Garden

A rain garden is planted in a natural or man-made depression and contains native flowers, shrubs, and perennials. When it rains, the water pools down into the garden where it's filtered by the plants and soil. This helps to remove pollutants from rainfall before it has the chance to enter a storm drain.

Another benefit of a rain garden is that they attract birds, butterflies, and bees. A rain garden may also improve the curb appeal of your commercial property.

While it's true that we're an asphalt company, it's not uncommon for us to work with other contractors. Our ultimate goal is to create functional paved surfaces for our clients that last for years to come.

As such, we understand how a rain garden can have a positive effect on a parking lot and the rest of the environment.

Request a Free Quote From A-1 Asphalt Inc.

Do you have standing water in your parking lot? If so, it's important that you call A-1 Asphalt Inc. right away.

As an experienced asphalt contractor, you can trust our crew for professional results. We're proud to serve Wayland, Grand Rapids, and the surrounding West Michigan areas.

To request a free quote, please call A-1 Asphalt at (800) 871-4401. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.

This blog post has been updated.