How Should a Parking Lot Be Maintained?

blog_lotIf you’re a business owner, you probably know that a visitor’s first impression of you can be formed by the state of your parking lot. If the pavement displays cracks, worn lines or pot holes, this shows people that you simply do not care.

Operating a facility on property that you rent or own requires regular outdoor maintenance for aesthetics, safety and compliance. If you’re looking to improve your parking lot, start with the following tips:

  1. Regularly inspect the lot to know what needs to be cleaned and fixed.
  2. Keep it free of debris. Rocks and dirt accumulate on the pavement and, in some cases, may lead to drainage problems. When drains back up, puddles form and the water eventually penetrates the asphalt, creating cracks. Come winter, poor drainage turns into puddles that freeze over and create slip hazards.
  3. On the subject of drainage, the area must include proper basins. Otherwise, poor positioning and maintenance lead to backups and eventually to slip hazards, erosion and cracks.
  4. Eliminate weeds. These plants create cracks, which widen over time. When you notice a dandelion or taller weed, pull it up with all of the roots and then fill in any large cracks.

  5. Restripe your parking lot when the paint is wearing off. When cars drive over parking spaces and crosswalks, the lines become less clear which can cause confusion for drivers. So when your lot looks like it needs a new coat of paint, work with a professional to touch it up. Recreate the parking spots and make them ADA compliant.
  6. Sealcoat the pavement. This process of adding emulsifier to the asphalt is known to slow the material’s breakdown. Ultimately, adding it reduces water damage, helps fill small cracks and protects against sun exposure, moisture, oil and chemical spills.
  7. Ensure that the lot is always properly lit. Falls don’t always happen because of cracks and pot holes; rather, they can occur because customers, clients, tenants and other visitors can’t see well enough. To offer a clear path at all times, make sure the lights are fully functioning to sufficiently illuminate the area.

From sealing concrete to restriping, M. Brett Painting can assist with your parking lot maintenance process. To get started, give our Connecticut location a call today.