Concrete Paving Repair And Installation Contractor Los Angeles

Every Angelino knows that parking is at a premium in the city. So, when customers are considering where to bring their business, chances are they are going to visit the store that has the best parking situation – a parking lot.

Because of this, business owners know that it’s crucial to keep their parking lots in excellent shape. If you want to attract business, you have to have a place for your customers to park, and nothing is as inviting as a well-kept parking lot. Not only that, but if your parking lot is in disrepair with cracks and uplifts, you are just asking for a trip and fall lawsuit.

Repairing your concrete paving not only attracts business, but avoids headaches from potential lawsuits caused by faulting paving.

Why is my parking lot concrete paving damaged in Los Angeles?

Parking lots probably get the most traffic at any business. I know you may think it’s your store. It’s not. Think about it. Parking lots are exposed to the elements 24/7, plus you have one-ton vehicles driving on top of them and parking every day. And those vehicle fluids? What happens when a customer parks their leaky car on your concrete paving? We’re looking at stains and discoloration.

Chances are your parking lot is concrete. While concrete is one of the strongest building materials on earth, and no matter how good your concrete contractor was in installing it, cracks will occur. It’s natural. The soil underneath the concrete shifts and the concrete settles over time. This creates hairline cracks.

Do you have shady trees in your parking lot? The older and larger a tree gets, the larger the roots get and those roots can cause some serious damage to your concrete. In fact, roots damage concrete more than earthquakes. The roots lift up the concrete, causing cracks.

Once you have cracks in your concrete, that makes it easier for water to seep in. That’s the last thing you want to happen. Once water infiltrates your concrete parking lot, it creates erosion underneath the parking lot, leading to larger cracks and basically, more headaches. It’s best to get ahead of all the cracks in the concrete and make some repairs.

How can I repair my concrete parking lot paving?

There are different options available to repair your concrete parking lot. Most of those options have to do with how severe the damage is.

If you have a few hairline cracks(we’re talking smaller than one-quarter inch wide), you could easily repair them yourself with concrete caulk or liquid filler. It’s an easy DIY fix that anyone can find on YouTube.

If you have a simple, small uplift in your concrete, you are likely a good candidate for concrete grinding. Licensed concrete contractors have the specialized equipment and trained technicians to quickly fix that pesky uplift. The work will be done in about a day, plus you don’t have to worry about permits or inspections or someone stepping on your newly poured concrete.

If your concrete paving has substantial damage, you may not have to replace the entire parking lot. Any reputable concrete contractor knows how to cut out the offending section of the concrete paving and replace it with a fresh slab. Just know that the new section may be a different color, due to the age and weathering of the rest of the parking lot.

How much does it cost to pave a parking lot/commercial building using concrete?

As with any construction project, the cost to pave a parking lot or commercial building is dependent on many factors, including the size and complexity of the job.

In general, you can expect to spend between $30 to $50 per square foot to pave your parking lot or commercial building using concrete. Some factors to consider in the cost are:

Size – The larger the square footage, the smaller the price per square foot.
Drainage – Do you need a drainage system? It’s a good idea to make sure you have a fully-functioning drainage system in place to ensure that your parking lot doesn’t turn into a swamp.
Concrete thickness – What kind of traffic does your parking lot get? Commercial sites may have more trucks than cars parking on their lot. That extra weight needs to be supported by thicker concrete. In fact, if your business sees a lot of commercial trucks on its parking lot every day, you’re going to want your concrete parking lot to be at least 8-10 inches thick with rebar. That’s going to increase the price of the project.

You can also upgrade your parking lot in other ways. You can install concrete planter boxes, bicycle racks and install ADA-compliant ramps for your customers.

Concrete paving versus asphalt paving

Is concrete your only option for paving your parking lot? Of course not. You can always choose the cheaper option of asphalt paving. However, just because it’s cheaper, doesn’t mean it’s the best option.

Durability – Concrete is one of the most durable construction materials on the planet. The ancient Romans used it in their buildings – and they are still standing. Concrete can withstand the temperature extremes we see in Southern California – from our hot, dry summers to cool, wet winters. Asphalt, on the other hand, gets soft during hot weather, which can cause the paving to become deformed and even stick on your shoes.
Lifespan – There are concrete structures standing today that are thousands of years old. While your concrete paving may not last that long, it will outlast asphalt. Most concrete paving has a lifespan of about 30-50 years, while asphalt will last only 10-30 years. So, while asphalt may be a cheaper alternative, you will have to pay to replace it more often.
Maintenance – Because asphalt is softer and less durable than concrete, it needs constant upkeep. Concrete, on the other hand, requires very little maintenance once it’s poured.
Safety – Simply put, concrete is easier to see in the dark. The light color of concrete makes it easier to see, especially when there’s water on the ground. It’s also easier to walk on when it’s raining.

Again, while asphalt may be a cheaper choice to pave your parking lot, it may not be the optimal option.

Why should I hire a licensed concrete contractor instead of a general contractor in Los Angeles?

Let’s say you needed new glasses. Would you go to your primary care physician to get a new prescription? Of course not. You’d go to an optometrist – you’d go to the doctor that specializes in your eyes.

It’s the same with construction. Sure, you can go to a general contractor, but who will have the specialized knowledge to ensure that your concrete lasts longer than a year or two? Licensed concrete contractors have studied the theories and methodologies of working with concrete.

A general contractor won’t be able to answer concrete specific questions. Let's perform a test. Ask your general contractor to answer the following questions related to everyday concrete projects (patios, driveways, sidewalks, slabs, steps, walkways)

Concrete Contractor VS General Contractor

What PSI (pounds per square inch) should I use on my concrete project?
Why do you always water the soil one day before pouring the concrete?
What are concrete expansion joints? Why are there grooves on my fresh concrete?
Why did my concrete crack? Was it because of erosion, roots, rust, no joints, why?
What is roadbase and why is it important to add 3”-4” of roadbase to all concrete projects?
Should I use rebar, wiremesh, or micro synthetic fibers on my concrete?
What are the pros and cons of using iron rebar, vs New Pink Fiberglass Rebar?
Why should I water my freshly poured concrete for the next five days–one day after it has been poured? Why water my concrete before 9 am and after 9 pm?
What chemicals are used to slow the concrete hardening time during a hot day?
What chemicals are used to accelerate the concrete hardening time during raining weather?

As you can see. Only a licensed concrete contract is able to answer those questions. Only a licensed concrete contractor will know how to handle concrete in any type of weather and soil. If you hire a general contractor, chances are pretty good that they don’t know how the varieties of weather or soil affect the curing of concrete. This means you’re not getting the best for your money. Statistics show that 80% of homeowners hire general contractors to perform their concrete work. This means they are not getting the best for their money. Don’t become that person. Get the best for your hard earned cash.