Why is edge milling prior to resurfacing important?
A.: A key consideration when resurfacing is drainage. How well does the lot drain prior to resurfacing and how will a new layer affect this? As a general rule an asphalt parking lot should have a minimum slope of 1% for water to flow properly over its service life. This translates to roughly 1″ of fall for every 10 feet. Anything less will not work! This is why edge milling is important, by milling the edges of the existing asphalt down below the level of adjacent concrete the new asphalt can be installed at the same level as the concrete thus preventing water from becoming trapped between the asphalt and concrete and preventing trip hazards. Without edge milling, the new layer of asphalt will sit one and half to two inches higher than the adjacent concrete.
