Frequently Asked Questions

How long does asphalt take to cure completely?

Asphalt takes six to 12 months to fully cure.

How long should I wait to drive on fresh asphalt pavement?

It is best to wait at least 48 hour to 72 hours before driving on freshly paved surfaces. The weather will affect this dry time. Cold weather means longer dry times and warm weather mean shorter dry times.

How do I find out what the ADA or accessibility requirements are for my property or parking lot in California?

Hire a CASP certified inspector. Empire Parking Lot Services recommends CDC

What is a Path of Travel?

A passage that may consist of walks and sidewalks, curb ramps and pedestrian ramps, lobbies and corridors, elevators, other improved areas, or necessary combination thereof, that provides free and unobstructed access to and egress from in a particular area or location for pedestrians and forward/or wheelchair users.

What causes asphalt to fail?

Permeation of water into the asphalt base is the primary cause of asphalt failure. Factors such as sun, water, weight loads, and traffic all play a role as well.

What do you do with the asphalt that you remove?

100% of asphalt removed from job sites is returned to an asphalt plant to be recycled and used again.

Is the asphalt you use recycled?

Typically 40% of all asphalt brought to the job site contains recycled materials.

What is Alligator Cracking?

Alligator cracking is a condition easily recognized by a series of cracks grouped together in one area. This type of cracking is indicative of subgrade problems. Typically the closer cracks are together, the shallower the failure. Inversely, the further these cracks are apart, the deeper the failure.

How soon can we drive on a lot that has been recently seal coated?

Best practices suggest to wait 48 hours to avoid damaging the seal coat (depending on the weather).

How does the weather affect scheduling paving operations?

Asphalt should not be laid in wet weather conditions. Empire Parking Lot Service’s asphalt team monitors weather daily and will ensure proper communication and planning occurs when weather may delay operation or affect the quality of work. It is safe to install asphalt in light mist or light rainy conditions.

What is concrete?

Concrete is a mix of ingredients, including cement, pozzolans, water, coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, and additives.

What is the difference between cement and concrete?

Concrete is used for the finished products, such as sidewalks, foundations, and the surface of many roads. Concrete contains sand, gravel and cement. Cement is the special hardening ingredient that makes concrete harden.

What is parking lot striping?

The service of laying out and painting lines and stencils that make up a typical parking lot. Parking lot striping can be done as a new layout project typically off of plans drafted by an architect, or it can be done as a maintenance services to “freshen up” the painted lines and markings in your parking lot.

How long does striping paint take to dry?

On a dry warm day, paint should be dry within two hours of application.

Can I use custom colors on my lot?

Standard colors are recommended (White Yellow Red Blue Green Black.) We can mix custom colors at additional cost for 5S protocol or preference.

How long does parking lot striping last?

Pavement stripes and pavement markings generally last about two years, depending on how well maintained the parking lot is, the amount of traffic the parking lot gets, and depending on how harsh the weather conditions in your area are.

What is shot blasting?

Shot blasting is a form of surface prep.The action forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive material against a surface under high pressure to smooth a rough surface, roughen a smooth surface, shape a surface or remove surface contaminants.

What do the OSHA colors represent?
  • Yellow. - Yellow shall be the basic color for designating caution and for marking physical hazards such as: Striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping, and "caught in between."
  • “DANGER" - Red, or predominantly red, with lettering or symbols in a contrasting color.
  • "CAUTION" - Yellow, or predominantly yellow, with lettering or symbols in a contrasting color.
  • "WARNING" - Orange, or predominantly orange, with lettering or symbols in a contrasting color.
  • "BIOLOGICAL HAZARD" - Fluorescent orange or orange-red, or predominantly so, with lettering or symbols in a contrasting color.
How often should I have my parking lot serviced?

It is recommended to get your parking lot serviced roughly every three years. This is heavily dependant on weather and the amount of traffic the lot receives.

Will my tenants be interrupted or business shut down during times of service?

As with any project in an occupied area or space there may be some disruptions. We plan around your tenants’ and clients’ needs to ensure minimal disruption, maximum safety, and the highest quality work. For customers convenience, projects can be scheduled on weekends, holidays, and evenings. Projects can also be scheduled on multiple moves however this may affect the cost of the project.