One of the first things customers see when arriving at your business is the parking lot. It is important that it not only looks incredible, but also is durable enough to not require constant maintenance, which is costly and disruptive.
If you are looking to create a long-lasting parking lot for your business, you’re in the right place. We offer heavy-duty geotextile fabric for parking lots. Geotextiles are the most effective way to mitigate aggregate loss, stabilizing the ground and reducing unsightly potholes.
Geotextile Fabric
Geotextile fabric is a permeable medium that works to stabilize the ground, creating a more durable, smooth parking lot. It provides an additional protective layer between the aggregate base of a parking lot and the subgrade earth on which it sits. This reduces erosion and cuts back on the amount of base gravel needed, saving you time and money in both the installation phase and in potential repairs down the road.
Woven Geotextiles
This form of fabric has a low permeability, making it a great option for wet or unstable soil and subgrade layers. Because it is effective at providing stabilization while maintaining long-term separation, woven geotextiles are often used underneath parking lots, residential streets, driveways, and highways.
Nonwoven Geotextiles
The structure of the needle-punched polypropylene used in nonwoven geotextiles has a high permeability, aiding in the drainage of unpaved roads and parking lots. In other instances when soil separation and filtration is beneficial, like when a gravel driveway will rest on soil that already drains well, nonwoven material allows for water absorption, maintaining the integrity of the lot’s aggregate and the earth it rests on.
Why Geotextile Fabric?
Strong and Thorough
Using geotextile fabric as a form of stabilization is better than other methods of parking lot bases, as it is more durable than other options (like polyspun or spunbond weed barrier fabric) and covers the entirety of the ground (as opposed to geogrids).
Mitigates Damage
Potholes are formed when water seeps under the pavement and into the ground. If it becomes frozen, it expands and contracts over and over, weakening the structure and leaving gaping pockets. In states with constantly changing weather, like Michigan, geotextile fabric is crucial to alleviating damaging potholes.
Environmentally Friendly
Geotextile fabric does not harm the environment. In fact, it keeps the ground intact, preventing erosion and maintaining structural integrity.
Installing Geotextile Fabric
1. Prepare the Site
All vegetation (including grass) needs to be removed from the area where your parking lot will reside. Next, level your site to ensure your parking lot has a smooth, even foundation with no holes, depressions, or elevated areas.
Woven geotextile fabric can be laid over wet or weakened subgrade. However, if it is too loose, you may need a soil engineer to give the go-ahead before moving onto the next step.
2. Install the Fabric
Roll out your woven or nonwoven fabric over your leveled foundation.
Rolls of geotextile fabric can vary in size between 12.5’–17.5’ wide. Make sure to lay your fabric in the correct direction to maximize coverage and durability. A small team of a few people can make this process easier by each taking a corner of the roll and laying it out flat.
3. Secure with Staples
Once in place, secure the fabric to the ground with landscape staples or pins. Typically, one staple for every square yard of material is required to ensure longevity.
4. Add the Base
Lay at least 8–12 inches of gravel or rock on top of the fabric. More may be required, but this depends on the project specifics, including the soil composition and type of base you are using.
Once the base is added, it must be evenly spread throughout the barrier. This can be done manually or with a truck. If the latter is utilized, drive less than 10 MPH and avoid abrupt turns or stops, which can damage the fabric.
Alternative Solutions
Geogrids are an alternative option to geotextiles. While these do not provide a full coverage barrier like both woven and nonwoven geotextiles do, they are useful in situations where gravel or rocks are prone to spreading.
Due to their design, geogrids are only useful in situations where filtration is needed. When it comes to needing a low permeable barrier, woven geotextiles are the better choice.
Oftentimes, for additional stabilization and protection, a geotextile fabric of some sort is laid prior to the installation of a geogrid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Expensive Is Geotextile Fabric to Install? How Much Does It Generally Cost?
Cost will vary depending on the size of the lot. Reach out to us today to receive a cost estimate on your geotextile parking lot.
Does Geotextile Fabric Increase the Lifetime of Parking Lots?
Yes, geotextile fabric will increase the longevity of your parking lot by providing a layer of base and subgrade separation. This mitigates erosion and potholes. It also reduces the need for maintenance and repairs, making it a cost-effective barrier solution.
How Long Does It Take to Install Geotextile Fabric?
While the installation process of geotextile fabric is quite simple, it can take up to a few days to complete the project. This is entirely dependent on the size of the lot, the size of the team, and the amount of layers necessary to suit the type of subgrade that the fabric will rest upon.
Are There Any Soil or Site Types That Don’t Work Well with Geotextile Fabric?
Extremely wet and weakened types of soil can be more difficult to build on, but woven geotextiles are still often able to provide reinforcement and withstand the moisture due to their low permeability.
How Often Do You Need to Replace Geotextile Fabric?
Short answer: not often. Just one layer of geotextile fabric on a 3’’ base can extend the surface lifetime by several years, up to 50.
Are There Any Materials That Should Not Be Placed on Geotextile Fabric?
No. As long as the fabric is fully spread out and completely covered, it can withstand any material. Remaining covered is important, as UV can begin to degrade the geosynthetic materials.
Geotextile Fabric Near Me: Get Started on Your Parking Lot Today
We are happy to help create a long-lasting, beautiful parking lot for your business with our geotextile fabrics. Send us a message today to inquire about costs and begin turning your parking lot visions into a reality.