If your parking lot is sunken in places and has cracks from shifting soil, your contractor might recommend stabilizing the soil before a new lot is constructed. If the base under your lot isn't stable, then your parking lot has a high risk of cracking and sinking. That means your lot will have a shorter life than necessary. A common way to stabilize soil is by adding lime to it. Here's an overview of how lime stabilization is done.

Soil Tests Are Necessary

The first step is to test the soil to find out its composition. Different types of soil have their own problems, so knowing the type helps the contractor know the best method for stabilization. If lime stabilization is chosen, the composition of the soil is used as a guideline for how much lime to add.

Chemical Reactions Harden The Soil

Lime is delivered to your lot after the old pavement has been removed. The lime is then spread around so it can be mixed in with the soil. Mixing the soil, lime, and water causes a chemical reaction to take place that hardens the soil.

Mixing the lime and soil requires the use of heavy equipment that digs into the soil to the predetermined depth. Once the mixing is complete and the soil has hardened, the area is compacted and graded.

Lime stabilization can turn loose, soggy soil into a strong and solid base that is capable of supporting a parking lot. When the mixture has hardened, the construction of your parking lot can progress as usual with the creation of the base topped by asphalt.

The Soil Mix Supports Heavier Weight

Lime stabilization helps your parking lot support the weight of heavy vehicles and trucks if necessary. It also reduces the swelling and contraction of the soil underneath the lot. Soil stabilization is used in a variety of settings such as the construction of trucking roads and foundations for large buildings.

Many times natural soil isn't strong enough for supporting heavy weight. Lime stabilization is a more affordable way to correct the problem than removing the bad soil and having more suitable soil trucked in.

Lime stabilization is one way to stabilize soil, but your contractor might have alternatives such as cement powder. The decision on how to correct the soil problems under your lot depends on the type of soil you have and drainage problems that may be present.

No matter how it's done, soil stabilization is essential before your new lot is constructed or it may develop the same problems as your old lot. Contact a soil stabilization service for more information.