Monthly Archives: March 2024

Who designs the parking lot striping? 

You may question their degree, but parking lot striping designs are designed by a civil engineer. This is one of many skills they have learned and acquired. They have learned the elements needed to create a good overall site. 

This task may seem to be basic, maybe below the pay grade of a civil engineer, but like anything else that will have multiple drivers depending on it, parking lot design and parking lot striping have to be accurate and with a logical purpose.

How is the layout of parking lot striping lines determined?

Each parking lot is unique, so the most effective layout in each will vary. To determine the layout of parking lot striping lines, it’s important to look at a few key elements that civil engineers use in their design process:

• Entrances and Exits: They consider the direction and how vehicles will be positioned as they enter and exit the parking lot.  
• Traffic Flow: The civil engineers have to determine the most efficient way to direct traffic, either one-way or two-way traffic aisles.
• Anticipated Capacity: The civil engineer designing the parking lot striping will examine the general population of the area and determine the number of parking spaces needed. 
• Safety and Spacing: The civil engineer who is designing the parking lot striping must consider the safety aspects of the parking lot. While they need to maximize the allotted space, they need to prevent overcrowding as well. This includes making sure vehicles have sufficient space to pull in, pull out, and pass each other on two-way lanes.

This includes designing the parking lot striping for angle parking, parallel parking, and perpendicular parking. The civil engineer designing the parking lot striping may use one of these three or a combination of them. 

What are the dimensions for parking lot striping?

In addition to the elements we’ve mentioned, the civil engineer must follow the requirements that are standard for parking spaces within the parking lot striping. Today’s cars require a standard size of 9’ wide x 18’ long. The painted stripes that are designed to separate each space are typically between 5” and 6” wide. 

What type of paint is used for parking lot striping? 

The parking lot striping provides drivers a pictorial and sign instructions. They are easy-to-follow signs, lines for each parking space, entry points, and exit points, as well as emergency exits, and handicapped parking spaces. When drivers follow these signs and their directions, traffic flows smoothly and accidents are prevented. 

Parking lot striping can be done with one of four different paint types. They have different purposes based on the material reflectance, texture, and their longevity. The four types of paint used for parking lot striping are:

• Reflective: This type of paint has glass-like chards added that make it glow in the dark. This is a must-have type of paint for parking lot striping in shipping centers, hospitals, and anywhere there is nighttime driving.

• Water-Based: This type of parking lot striping paint is similar to the paint that children use for crafts. They are an inexpensive option and quick to dry, which allows immediate use by traffic. Because it is water-based, it isn’t weather-resistant. Rain, ice, or snow can wash it off in a short time. 

• Oil-Based: With this type of parking lot striping paint, the oil is the binding ingredient and is meant for a long lifespan. Parking lot striping with this type of paint is recommended where the weather has frequent changes because it is a durable paint with a long lifespan. Even in freezing weather with ice, rain, and snow, it will not wash off.

• Thermal Plastic: This is the most expensive type of parking lot striping paint. It requires being heated to melt the plastic content before use.  It is a thick paint that has an elegant appearance and is incredibly durable, withstanding harsh weather conditions better than other types of parking lot striping paint. 

How is the parking lot striping done?

The company that does the parking lot striping will use highly specialized equipment. This allows the crew to complete the job with accuracy and precision. 

To process starts with the line locations drawn by one of three methods: 

• By hand
• Stretching string lines
• Other type of letters and markings

Next, prepping the parking lot surface is done by clearing it with an industrial blower that removes any debris, dirt, or leaves. Then the crew will prep the machine with the chosen paint which is either rolled or sprayed on using a guided mechanism that gives the strips a crisp and straight line throughout the entire parking lot. 

Keeping It Bright and Straight

The parking lot striping should be reapplied every five years according to the American Asphalt Association. The type of paint you choose, the elements, and the weather can affect this recommendation. And when you need parking lot striping in Waco, TX, remember to reach out to professionals like those on our team to make sure it’s taken care of properly. You can get in touch with our team by calling 254-716-8685.

How do potholes form? 

There is no standard shape and size of potholes, you’ve probably noticed that as you made your way to work. When the top layer of the pavement isn’t strong enough to handle the traffic flow, it cracks. As it cracks, this allows water to get to the sub-base under that top layer, and then that water freezes, thaws, refreezes, and eventually that crack becomes a pothole. The pothole gets bigger as traffic increases going over it. 

How are pothole repairs done?

There are different methods used for pothole repairs. If they aren’t done correctly, however, they won’t last long. Pothole repairs should be done by considering the season changes, the sun exposure, and other conditions that can have an effect. 

The best method for pothole repairs is the full-depth patching method. This involves cutting and removing the distressed asphalt, the replace it with new materials. The steps involved in this include: 

1. Cut and remove the loose asphalt, around and inside the pothole.
2. Rinse the pothole opening to remove any debris, dirt, and rocks. 
3. Allow the pothole and surround area time to thoroughly dry.
4. A chalk outline is created around the cutting sections, extending into sound part of the asphalt. The outline should a minimum of 12” all around the pothole.
5. Remove the broken sections of asphalt and assess if additional drainage should be installed.
6. Level the subgrade layer with a vibrating compactor or roller.
7. Fill the opening with a hot-mix or cold-mix asphalt solution. If the area is larger, the mixture should be divided into 4” layers.
8. Using compaction equipment, spread the asphalt mixture, one full 4” layer at a time until it is even with the original road surface.
9. Check the level of the patch and if needed, repeat the compaction.

Why do potholes form in winter?

The winter has a higher number of potholes formed because if there are any cracks, of any size, water seeps inside them. Then as the temperature drops, the water freezes, expands, and causes the crack to enlarge. The frozen water thaws, refreezes, thaws, repeat – this keeps expanding the surface around the crack. Then as traffic goes over this crack, it creates a pothole. Repairs of a permanent stature can’t take place until the pothole and surrounding surface can dry out. 

Why do potholes get bigger?

Weak subbase, weak road surface, and the daily traffic flow. That traffic can be from the smallest car to the biggest 18-wheeler. Sit in a parking lot one day and watch the amount of traffic that comes down the road you’re driving on that is riddled with potholes. 

How do potholes form in warm climates?

So here in Waco, Texas, we don’t have a lot of that winter weather in a normal year.  But that doesn’t mean we don’t have our share of pothole repair needs!  Potholes here are created by water and heavy traffic too!  We do have rain, a lot of rain sometimes.  A crack forms in the surface of the road, rainwater seeps in, it freezes, thaws, refreezes, thaws, and the process repeats. 

Just because the temperature in this area doesn’t always get below freezing doesn’t mean it won’t cause potholes though.  That water seeps in the crack and starts eroding the sub-base, weakening the surface, and then the traffic driving over it creates the potholes. 

Do potholes always cause damage?

Absolutely! When you drive through a pothole at a normal speed, it can damage your tires, bend your wheels,  break the shocks, and unalign the front end. The harder you drive through the pothole, the more damage can happen to your car. Many motorists have been stranded with flat tires or a broken front end. 

Does auto insurance cover damage caused by potholes? 

That will depend on your auto insurance policy.  Coverage is available on most car insurance policies for pothole damage if you have collision coverage. In Texas, the law states the only insurance requirement is liability.  Collision coverage is extra and if you don’t owe on your car, you aren’t required to have collision coverage. 

Keep On Rolling! 

As a driver, there isn’t much you can do about pothole repairs, other than pay higher taxes. Therefore, your best defense is to watch your driving style, and cautiously drive through potholes if you can’t go around them. If you do have to drive through one, and you weren’t able to be cautious, use your collision coverage for the repairs on your car!