There are pools of water in your parking lot. What are you supposed to do? How did the water in the parking lot get there? Sometimes the smallest issues can spring up into a massive problem.
It all starts with a crack. Small cracks can seem insignificant and unproblematic at first glance. They often are overlooked. But it’s these small cracks that can lead to big pools of water.
When cracks form in pavement, rainwater falls between the cracks, collecting underneath the pavement. The underlying water washes away the dirt under the pavement. Then, when heavy vehicles drive over the crack, the weakened pavement sinks down, because there is nothing solid holding it up anymore, creating a pothole where water pools.
How To Fix Sinkholes And Water Pooling
There is a way to fix water pooling problems, but preventative measures are always better to take than solving the problem later.
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Drainage & Grading:
To ensure you don’t have pools of water forming in your parking lot, it is vital to maintain good drainage. You can do this by getting your property professionally street swept to remove dirt, leaves, and debris that inevitably collect near drains, causing your storm drains to get clogged. If you do not maintain clean lots, you will end up with clogged drains, which leads to poor drainage and standing water on your property.
Good drainage is key to eliminating pooling water. If you find a pool of water on your driveway, it may be because you have a poor drainage system. Signs of poor drainage include: still water pooling on pavement even after rain, low spots in your pavement, resulting in water pooling, or water pooling close to your home’s foundation may all be signs of poor drainage or grading.
Proper drainage installation controls surface water runoff so that it flows properly and avoids flooding and soil erosion. It also manages groundwater accumulation, downspout and roof drainage, water flow near foundations and hardscapes.
Proper grading ensures your home foundation is not damaged by water, as it is vital to prevent water from collecting near the foundation of a structure. Professional grading also restores proper slopes in surfaces to avoid water from collecting and pooling on your pavement.
It is important to address both the surface and subsurface drainage solutions for maximum efficiency against pooling water in parking lots. So if you are wondering, “How did pooling water get on my driveway?” know that it might be caused by not enough regular street cleaning or poor drainage or grading.
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Crack and Sinkhole Repair:
If you have a crack in your pavement, it is best to address the issue before it turns into something worse, like fixing a sinkhole. This can help to prevent water pooling in your parking lot and causing problems down the road. The best way to tackle pavement cracking is by cleaning it out, filling the empty hole under the crack, and then sealing the surface shut. Make sure to improve the surrounding drainage so you don’t run into similar issues again.
Sinkholes are a bigger problem. If you already have a sinkhole on your property in need of repair, it is important to first locate the cause of the sinkhole. Sometimes faulty drains or damaged sewer lines can be the cause of flooding and create sinkholes. Discover the water source and stop the water from flowing there so another sinkhole doesn’t form again.
The next step to fixing sinkholes is to excavate. Assess the area. Dig out the hole and find out where the void is underneath. Do not fill the area until the void has been located.
Then, you will want to rebuild a base to repair the sinkhole. First, shovel in base rock, rushed gravel, or crushed concrete in. It is best to fill in layers of 4-6 inches and then compact each layer with a tamper to ensure you repair the sinkhole properly.
To finish fixing a sinkhole, brush and spray a liquid tack oil along the edges of the cut to help new asphalt stick to the existing pavement. Lastly, fill the remaining depth of the sinkhole with a hot-mix asphalt and top it off with a sealant to prevent water from getting in.
Contact Winterstone to Prevent Water Pooling in Parking Lots
For help with pavement cracks, pooling water, or sinkholes, contact us today. Learn more about our professional sinkhole repair, drainage and grading, or our various excavation services.
