Why This Checklist Exists
Most commercial pavement fails because nobody schedules preventive maintenance until something visible breaks. By then the cost-of-repair has tripled. This checklist gives Chicagoland property managers a month-by-month playbook for keeping pavement healthy at the lowest possible lifecycle cost.
January–February: Plan and Budget
Walk all properties (or have someone do it) and document existing conditions with photos. Score each lot 1–10 on overall condition. Identify any safety hazards needing immediate attention. Build the year’s budget: sealcoating cycle, crack sealing, expected patching, striping, and any major scopes (overlay, reconstruction). Book the calendar with your contractor — by February the prime months fill up fast.
March: Spring Inspection
After snow melts, walk every lot. Look for: snow-plow damage (gouges, broken curbs, ripped asphalt), winter potholes, broken or settled catch basins, ice damage to ADA ramps and signage, faded striping. Document everything with photos. Get repair estimates.
April: Crack Sealing
Schedule annual crack sealing. New cracks form every freeze-thaw cycle, and catching them early prevents pothole formation. Annual crack sealing is the highest-ROI pavement maintenance investment available.
April–May: Snow-Plow Damage Repair
Repair the asphalt gouges, broken curbs, and damaged striping documented in March. Most repairs complete in 1 to 5 days. If your snow contractor is responsible for the damage, document for chargeback.
May–June: Sealcoating (Year 1 of Cycle)
If this is the year for sealcoating in your master cycle, schedule for May through June. Cooler weather is friendlier for the application than peak July heat.
June: ADA Compliance Check
ADA requirements change. Walk the lot and verify: stall counts meet current code, signage is current, slopes are within tolerance, truncated dome panels are intact. Schedule any compliance upgrades.
July: Mid-Year Asphalt Repair
Schedule any major asphalt scopes — saw-cut patching of failed areas, sectional reconstruction, or mill-and-overlay if needed. Hot-mix plants are at peak supply and crews are at peak efficiency.
August: Striping
Re-stripe any lots that were sealcoated earlier in the year (sealcoating + 48 to 72 hour cure + striping). New layouts, ADA upgrades, fire-lane refresh.
September: Drainage Check
Before fall rain season, verify catch basins are clean and accepting water, surface grading directs water to drains, no ice-prone low spots. Schedule any drainage repairs.
October: Final Repairs and Inspection
Last window for major asphalt work before plants close. Schedule any remaining repairs. Walk every lot one more time and document end-of-season condition.
November: Winter Prep
Verify snow contractor is set up. Check raised-marker placement at manhole frames and catch basins. Verify bollards and barriers are intact. Document anything that needs spring follow-up.
December: Holiday Lull and Annual Review
Use the slow period to review the year’s work. What broke that shouldn’t have? What got expensive? What should change next year? Update next year’s budget. Send the contractor a quick summary if you want them to plan around your priorities.
Get a Free Commercial Paving Estimate
Need help with a commercial paving project? Every estimate is free, on-site, and itemized. Most on-site estimate within 48 hours, with on-site estimate within 48 hours. Use the form on this page or call (630) 555-PAVE.
Get a Free Commercial Paving Estimate
Need help with a commercial paving project? Every estimate is free, on-site, and itemized. Use the form on this page or call (630) 555-PAVE.