Table of Content
- Introduction: The Importance of Parking Lot Maintenance
- Why parking lot maintenance matters
- Impact on business, safety, and aesthetic appeal
- Why parking lot maintenance matters
- Understanding Common Parking Problems and Solutions
- Cracks in the Asphalt
- Causes and quick fixes (crack sealing, resurfacing)
- Causes and quick fixes (crack sealing, resurfacing)
- Potholes
- Formation and solutions (pothole filling, patching)
- Formation and solutions (pothole filling, patching)
- Fading Lines
- Causes of fading and solutions (line painting)
- Causes of fading and solutions (line painting)
- Drainage Issues
- Water pooling problems and solutions (catch basins, slope grading)
- Water pooling problems and solutions (catch basins, slope grading)
- Cracks in the Asphalt
- How to Get a Durable Surface with Parking Lot Paving
- The paving process: from site assessment to sealing
- Factors affecting paving (traffic volume, weather, ground stability)
- How paving enhances parking lot durability
- The paving process: from site assessment to sealing
- Enhancing Safety and Organization with Parking Lot Striping and Marking
- Importance of striping and marking for safety
- Legal requirements: fire lanes, handicap spaces
- Types of markings (parking space lines, pedestrian walkways, arrows)
- Importance of striping and marking for safety
- Parking Lot Sweeping to Keep Your Property Clean and Safe
- Benefits of regular sweeping (aesthetic appeal, safety)
- Frequency and factors influencing sweeping schedule
- Benefits of regular sweeping (aesthetic appeal, safety)
- Preventing Water Damage and Erosion With Parking Lot Drainage
- Importance of a good drainage system
- Solutions for drainage issues (catch basins, storm drains, slope grading)
- Importance of a good drainage system
- Conclusion: Keep Your Parking Lot in Top Shape
- Summary of services
- Call to action: Contact The Whiteout Group for maintenance needs.
- Summary of services
The parking lot is the first thing people see when they enter your business. Not only is it crucial for your business’s success, but it also plays a role in safety and aesthetics. No one wants to drive into a parking lot full of cracks and potholes because it isn’t visually appealing and can potentially damage their vehicle. By leaving these issues unaddressed, you risk being liable for such damage, which can come with financial and legal consequences.
Maintaining your parking lot is essential. Today, we will learn more about the ins and outs of parking lot maintenance. Our comprehensive guide will summarize the best practices for keeping your parking lot in top shape.
Understanding Common Parking Problems and Solutions
Parking lots are far from flawless. Over time, they can develop basic wear and tear, which can wreak havoc on your business no matter your strict maintenance routine. In other words, issues are bound to come up. The common ones include:
Cracks
Asphalt can crack over time for several reasons. Temperature changes can cause the asphalt to expand and contract, creating cracks. Water seeping into the surface and high traffic volume can also develop cracks.
Cracks are often a quick fix. Asphalt crack sealing fills cracks with sealant, preventing water from entering them in the future. For more extensive cracks, asphalt resurfacing is necessary, which involves applying a new layer of asphalt over the existing surface to restore it to its original state.
Potholes
Potholes are stubborn holes that form in parking lots and can damage your vehicle if you aren’t careful. They appear when water penetrates, freezes, and expands during the winter. Once the ice breaks the asphalt, large holes are left behind.
There are two ways to fix potholes. Pothole filling involves cleaning out the damaged area, applying a new asphalt mix, and compacting it to create a smooth surface again. The other option is pothole patching, which involves using a hot or cold fix to fill the holes.
Fading Lines
Parking lot lines effectively direct traffic by creating designated parking spaces. However, they can fade over time due to vehicles repetitively driving over them, and winter’s melting water can also cause them to disappear.
When this happens, line painting is the best way to restore it. The process is best done once the warmer weather rolls around. The lines must be repainted to restore order to your parking lot.
Drainage Issues
When it rains or snows, water needs a place to drain. When there isn’t a place for it to go, water begins to pool in your parking lot. This can cause structural damage as the water can move towards your building instead of out of the parking lot.
There are several ways to address this problem. Catch basins give the water a place to go, while slope grading allows the water to drain from your parking lot more efficiently. If you already have either drainage system, repair is your best option.
How to Get a Durable Surface with Parking Lot Paving
Opt for parking lot paving services if you want a surface built to last. A strong, durable asphalt paving or concrete is essential to a parking lot that will last you for years. How does parking lot paving work? We break down the process below:
- Site Assessment: The first step of paving is assessing your parking lot to determine its size, layout, and any issues that need to be addressed.
- Preparation: Before paving a parking lot, the site must be cleared of debris and excavated to create a stable base for the new asphalt.
- Compaction: The existing parking lot is compacted to create a solid base.
- Asphalt Installation: Next, the asphalt is installed to create a smooth, even surface.
- Sealing: The parking lot is sealed with a protective asphalt seal coating top coat for a durable, long-lasting finish. This helps protect the surface from weathering and wear, extending the life of your parking lot.
How often your parking lot is paved depends on weather conditions, ground stability, and traffic volume. Proper paving offers long-term durability and reduces the chances of cracks and erosion.
Enhancing Safety and Organization with Parking Lot Striping and Marking
Another essential part of parking lot maintenance is striping and marking. This is essential to helping people understand where to park and where to go. There are also legal requirements, such as handicap parking spaces and fire lanes. The following gets marked:
- Parking Space Lines: These markings show people visiting your property where they can park.
- Pedestrian Walkways: This marks pedestrian paths and safe areas for crossing.
- Fire Lanes: If your business catches fire, trucks need a parking place close to the building. These markings tell them where to go, and tell people where they can’t park.
- Directional Arrows: If you can only enter and exit your parking lot in specific directions, these arrows direct people where to go.
- Stenciled Symbols: Handicap parking spots must be marked legally to prevent fines and make your business accessible.
You should get your parking lot lines repainted every 1-2 years or when they start to fade. Keep an eye on your parking lot and opt for painting services as needed to keep everyone safe.
Parking Lot Sweeping to Keep Your Property Clean and Safe
Over time, debris, litter, and sand can clutter your parking lot. Not only is this unsightly, but it’s also quite unsafe. It can cause slips and falls and sometimes clog drainage systems. Outside of keeping the environment clean, the service offers the following benefits of cleanliness:
- Looks Better: Regularly sweeping your parking lot is essential to keeping your property looking its best.
- Improved Curb Appeal: Your parking lot is the first thing people see when they visit your property. A good sweep will make your building look better.
- Makes a Space More Inviting: A clean appearance makes any space more inviting, which could attract more business.
Parking lot line sweeping should be done monthly or every other month. Consider seasonal factors like fallen leaves and snow when scheduling your service. This makes it easier to keep your parking lot looking its best.
Preventing Water Damage and Erosion With Parking Lot Drainage
A proper drainage system is essential to any parking lot. If you let water pool in your parking lot, it can lead to structural damage and weaken the asphalt, requiring asphalt repair. The most common issues are clogged drains, improperly graded parking lots, and poor drainage design. The most common solutions include the following:
- Catch Basins: The solid structures collect and filter stormwater runoff, which stops flooding and keeps debris out of the storm drains.
- Storm Drains: These drains give water from your parking lot a place to go by sending it away from your asphalt and back into natural waterways.
- Slope Grading: The name explains this solution. Basically, it creates a slope to allow water to run off your lot and away from your property.
While there isn’t a specific time to get drainage services, there are a few things to consider. You should inspect your drainage system regularly to ensure it’s functioning correctly. This is especially important after a big storm.
Keep Your Parking Lot in Top Shape
From fixing common parking lot problems like cracks, potholes, fading lines, and drainage issues to line painting and sweeping, there’s a lot to do. However, you shouldn’t let yourself get overwhelmed. Let The Whiteout Group in Winnipeg handle all your parking lot needs. We have years of experience repairing and maintaining asphalt.
What are you waiting for? Contact us today!
