{"id":11931,"date":"2023-09-15T20:35:31","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T20:35:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uspave.com\/?p=11931"},"modified":"2023-09-21T20:49:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T20:49:04","slug":"what-causes-puddles-to-form-in-parking-lots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uspave.com\/blog\/what-causes-puddles-to-form-in-parking-lots","title":{"rendered":"What Causes Puddles to Form in Parking Lots?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As kids, we loved splashing in puddles, watching the waves that appeared with endless fascination. Adults don’t find puddles as fun and carefree. At best, they’re annoying; at worst, they conceal hazards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Puddles in\u00a0<\/span>parking lots<\/span><\/a>\u00a0can signal big problems. They may result from errors in engineering and cover up dangerous conditions, such as potholes. What causes puddles to form in parking lots? How can we fix and avoid them in the first place? The experts at U.S. Pave, commercial asphalt paving and concrete contractors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, can help make your parking lot puddle-free.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Importance of Parking Lot Drainage<\/span><\/h2>\n

Turning paving into a lot with spaces for cars, buses, and trucks to park seems a simple enough task. But it’s anything but. Standing puddles can form if the parking lot doesn’t have a sufficient slope to direct water toward a trench or other type of drain, and that’s when the problems begin.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the annoyances they cause, puddles can create real problems beyond just wet feet. They can cause vehicles to hydroplane and cover up curb cuts, cracks, potholes, or other dangerous conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

A perfectly flat parking lot, or even one with slight imperfections, can cause water to collect in spots just like it would in a cereal bowl. As the saying goes, “water finds its level.” Even in parking lots with the proper slope, improperly built drains or pipes can become clogged, and miscalculated grading can allow water to gather. Another problem is that water collection causes the underlying pavement to degrade faster.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, a slope of 1% to 2% should be enough for water to run off to reach drains, catch basins, or underground sewers. Choosing suitable materials can also help reduce runoff. Engineers must spend time carefully designing parking lots to prevent these problems from happening. Our team at U.S. Pave is well equipped to help support your parking lot project.<\/span><\/p>\n

Role of Surface Material<\/span><\/h2>\n

Depending on its physical properties, the\u00a0<\/span>material used in your parking lot<\/span><\/a>\u00a0can contribute to drainage problems. Here’s an overview of how different surface materials used for parking lots can impact surface pooling:<\/span><\/p>\n