In most states across the country, students have returned to the classroom in one way or another. Whether it be full-time or through a hybrid model, students are driving back to campuses everywhere, eager to return to in-person learning. 

However, with this added traffic comes potential wear and tear to your parking lot. To prevent serious issues in the future, consider learning these top three ways students can wreck your campus park lot:

1. Increased Friction On The Lot 

If one thing is for sure, it’s that students love to shop online. Whether it be for clothes, books, or even food, many delivery vehicles will be driving on to campus lots. Large delivery trucks used by companies such as Walmart, Amazon or Chegg are typically huge, and many parking lots cannot handle significant amounts of weight. With this said, do not be surprised if your parking lot becomes noticeably strained. 

Also, students like to have fun by doing donuts in the parking lot at high speeds. Whether the parking lot is dry or covered with snow, the friction between the tires and the pavement will heat up and can actually melt the sealant. 

2. Littering 

While many students are focused on improving the environment, others are not as cautious and may litter on or around your campus parking lot. A significant buildup of garbage can block gutters and cause water to build up in the parking lot’s divots. The longer the water sits in one spot in the parking lot, the likelihood of the surface weakening increases. This kind of damage can lead to a costly project down the road and should be avoided as much as possible. 

3. Clogged Dorm Toilets 

It may seem hard to believe, but plumbing issues in the dormitories or any other building on campus can actually lead to permanent parking lot damage. If plumbing issues worsen and a professional needs to be called in to cut into the underground sewer lines, they may need to excavate the pavement to complete their job. If this is not done properly, the parking lot can be left with permanent damage, leading to an expensive fix.

Although it is not done on purpose, students and other visitors can wreck your campus parking lot in more ways than one. It is important to stay informed so that campus staff can take precautions and rules can be put in place to preserve the asphalt. 

We are always up to date on the latest news in paving. To find out more about how we can help you, contact Pro-Pave today. Visit our website, or give us a call at (703) 433-9500.

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