Water Is Your Parking Lot's Worst Enemy

Standing water seeps into cracks, saturates the base, freezes, expands, and collapses under traffic. That is how potholes are born. Fix your drainage and you fix the root cause of most pavement failures.

Signs of Drainage Problems

  • Standing water after rain lasting more than 2-3 hours
  • Dark staining in the same spots repeatedly
  • Soft or spongy areas after rain
  • Alligator cracking concentrated in low areas
  • Sediment buildup around drain grates

Common Causes

Poor initial grading - the lot was not sloped properly or settlement has created low spots. Minimum slope should be 1-2%.

Clogged catch basins - debris and sediment accumulate over time. Regular cleaning prevents this.

Pavement settlement - traffic loads and soil movement create new low spots over time.

Solutions

Catch basin installation ($1,500-$3,500 each) - new drains at low points that route water underground.

Channel drains ($1,000-$2,500) - linear drains for building entries and drive lanes.

Regrading during resurfacing - vary asphalt thickness to redirect water. Most cost-effective fix because the paving crew is already there.

Regular cleaning - the cheapest maintenance you can do. Clean all drainage structures at least twice a year.

The Cost of Ignoring Drainage

A catch basin costs $2,500. Ignoring drainage and letting water destroy your base costs $30,000-$80,000 in repaving.

Concerned about drainage? [Schedule a free inspection](/services/property-inspections) or call (801) 406-3543.