By Steven Brahney | May 10, 2016

Parking_Lot_Underground_Water_Issue.jpgThe good news is we have been very fortunate in the Mid-Atlantic to have received a mild weather pattern for most of the beginning of winter.  The bad news is long range forecasts project colder Arctic air and increased moisture moving into the region after January 15, 2016.

Most people in the Delaware Valley this morning woke up to ice in areas of standing water.  

Historically I see a large influx of work orders prior to the beginning of winter for pothole repairs, catch basin repairs and remediation of areas of standing water.  In addition, prior to the first forecasted snow storm we see an increase in work orders with "time is of the essence" notations and other priority codes.  I have noticed this year some Property / Facility Managers may be delaying repairs due to the mild weather waiting to see if winter is going to be all it is hyped to be this year with El-Nino.  I feel this approach is risky for several reasons:

1.) With the winter season comes reduced work days, higher material costs and risking to complete the work in marginal weather which will result in an inferior completed project

2.) When temperatures fall below freezing, it makes it difficult to complete same day / next day emergency repairs because the asphalt plant may not be operating on the specific day the repair NEEDS to be made

3.) If the temperatures are too cold to obtain hot mix asphalt we are forced to use cold patch (Temporary solution once the business end of a snow plow runs over it) and will require two mobilizations to come back a second time for the permanent repair thereby adding a second mobilization cost

4.) Liability & Contributory Negligence:  If a tenant constantly emails you about the large puddle out front which they politely remind you is a skating rink in the winter- once someone slips & falls and you find yourself in a deposition being questioned by the Plaintiff's Attorney- once the Attorney slides the copy of the emails in front of you  marked "Exhibit K" and asks the dreaded question of "when you were first made aware of the situation" it will be "GAME OVER."

The picture above shows ice formation from groundwater coming up through cracks in the asphalt parking lot

Groundwater Issues / Underground Water:

Groundwater issues lead to black ice issues anytime the temperatures fall below freezing.  

Groundwater issues (Hydrostatic Pressure) are caused by the Geology under your asphalt parking lot or concrete sidewalk- it is impossible to prevent- however, it is able to be corrected.  Hydrostatic pressure is caused by the groundwater being forced to the surface and then finding its way out of the ground through the path of least resistance- typically- cracks in the asphalt / concrete or through landscape islands.  

Groundwater can be easily directed away from the surface and into a storm sewer or culvert area.  

Please see our blog:

http://www.fixasphalt.com/blog/benefits-of-using-drainage-tile-/-parking-lot-underdrain

Average Cost To Remediate Underground Water Issues In An Asphalt Parking Lot / Concrete Sidewalk:

The average cost ranges between $35.00 - $60.00 per lineal foot depending on disposal costs of excavated sub-grade, depth, length, difficulty tie-ing into storm sewer / culvert and restoration involved (asphalt / concrete patch back, mulch, topsoil, grass seed etc.)

Please contact me (1-877-349-2774) if you are in need of groundwater remediation under your asphalt parking lots or concrete sidewalks.  

www.fixapshalt.com provides groundwater remediation solutions to:

Shopping Centers * Industrial Parks * Multi-Family (Apartments, Townhouses, Condominiums) * Healthcare * Office Buildings & Corporate Campus's     National Accounts (Big, Small & Medium Box Retail Stores)

We service New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania (Delaware Valley), Delaware & Northern Maryland

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