Judson Burdon

If you're thinking about getting into the asphalt maintenance business, investing in a parking lot line striper can open the door to a highly profitable service. Asphalt line striping is in constant demand. From shopping malls to roadways, clear and accurate striping ensures safety, organization, and traffic flow. Before you rush out and purchase a machine, though, it's critical to understand a few key points to make sure you get the right equipment for your needs.

Here are the top three things you need to know before buying a parking lot line striper — plus the biggest mistake you must avoid.

Most people who are just starting in the asphalt maintenance business don't usually understand why using additives to sealcoat is a great investment. The common misconception is that additives are merely extra expenses that cut down profits and cure time. But did you know they can actually do a lot more than that?

Starting any business is tough but not impossible. But some people are being held back because of different reasons. Are you one of them? If so, here are several reasons why you and others are still on the fence about starting an asphalt maintenance business and what you can do to overcome it.

When you have a high ridge on your hot crack fill use your torch to blend the edges for a better look. Don't go overboard with the heat just use a low flame to glaze the edges down. Use your flame to smooth the edges of any high ridges on your hot crack fill for a nicer appearance. Use a low flame to glaze the edges instead of applying excessive heat.

Knowing what the ideal job temperature is before applying crack fill, sealcoat or line striping paint is essential in making sure your project lasts. Planning your scheduled jobs and being up to date on weather forecasts is important so you don’t sacrifice the quality of your work because of less-than-perfect temperatures.

Parking lot equipment can help you maintain your own property at a huge savings, and maintenance represents significant savings over replacement! So, what do you need to have to properly maintain parking lots? Let’s walk through the 5 essential steps from caution tape to line striping.

Parking lots. You might think they're one of the safest places on your property (cars are mostly stationary and people usually drive at lower speeds), but they're not.

According to the National Safety Council, parking lots are some of the riskiest areas for drivers and pedestrians alike. The main cause of accidents is distracted driving, but many mishaps can also be attributed to damaged and improperly maintained parking lots.

These accidents are costly not only for you and your patrons. Worse, they can also cause injuries or even deaths.

There's nothing much you can do with distracted driving, but pavement safety is something you can control and should be your priority. Here are four asphalt maintenance tasks you can do to prevent parking lot accidents.

Asphalt maintenance is an excellent career opportunity for anyone who wants to be their own boss, enjoys working with their hands outside, and isn’t afraid of hard work. Success in this exciting business, however, requires entrepreneurship and the ability to strategize ways of expanding and maximizing your services.

Starting an asphalt repair business can feel overwhelming — even more so during a recession. The odds are stacked against you, and you're already wondering if it's the wisest thing to do even before you start writing your business plan.

But even with gloomy forecasts and talk of a looming recession in the US, asphalt repair is still a smart and safe choice. Learn why asphalt maintenance is a recession-proof business and how you can protect your company during tough times.

Faded or oxidized asphalt is an eyesore. Keep your asphalt driveway looking fresh and brand new with these tips and suggestions!

Have you wondered why new asphalt looks rich, dark and thick, while old asphalt driveway pavement is gray, flaky and stony? That is because bitumen (tar), which mixes and holds the stones together to form asphalt, has dried out. When freshly laid, asphalt is very flexible and can withstand wear and tear. So why does asphalt turn gray? With continuous exposure to the sun, the bitumen gets eroded, and your asphalt starts to lose its deep color and flexibility.