As a maintenance manager, you know how important it is to keep your parking lot in top condition. Not only is it the first stop for visitors and staff but keeping it accessible and in good working order says a lot about your business. Once the winter weather melts, it’s a great time to assess the condition of your parking lot and address any concerns during the warmer weather.
There are several factors to take into account when maintaining your parking lot this spring.
Repairs
Has your parking lot experienced winter damage? Between the use of ice melter or salt and the free-thaw cycle that happens in the winter, spring often highlights alligator cracks or potholes that have developed over the winter months. There is a wide variety of products out there that you can use to repairs these yourself or you may prefer to call in a contractor to handle these repairs for you.
Look at your sidewalks, pathways, and curbs, too, to make sure that they are safe and up to your standard. Things like sagging, step separation, cracked concrete, tree root damage, standing water, and more can become safety issues and should be addressed as soon as possible.
While taking care of these issues in the spring makes sense, it’s also a good idea to make your parking lot a priority as part of your regular maintenance to stay on top of any bigger developing issues.
Appearance
Once you’ve addressed the safety issues and risks, assess your parking lot’s signage and striping. Not only can winter weather cause wear and tear to your parking lot lines, but commercial snowplows can also damage the markings over the course of the season.
Repainting your lines and markings can happen as long as the weather is consistently above 10 degrees Celsius, so as soon as the weather warms up, you can start this project. If you are thinking about coating your parking lot surface, that can also be completed in the spring, once you’ve completed the repairs and painting.
Don’t forget to take a look at the rest of your parking lot signage to ensure that it is clear, up-to-date, and professional, in case there are any repairs or replacements necessary.
As the first place most of your guests see, your parking lot is a vitally important part of your property, affecting how guests and staff see your business. It needs to project the desired impression, as well as stay maintained for safety and clarity. Take the time this spring to attend to any maintenance issues that exist in your parking lot.
