A well-maintained parking lot has several benefits for your business – it creates a positive image of your establishment, improves curb appeal, and ensures customer or resident safety. If you’re interested in creating the best parking lot for your business (and we know you are!) check out these 7 tips for maintaining a beautiful, safe parking lot.
Seal coating is the process of adding a coal-tar or asphalt emulsifier to your asphalt. The seal coat is designed to fill in tiny cracks (less than 1/8’ wide) and protect the asphalt from sun damage, moisture and chemical spills such as oil, gas and antifreeze. Beyond that, seal coating makes your parking lot look beautiful! It restores the color and gives it a like-new appearance that will wow your customers and guests.
Seal coating should be performed about every 3 years, but it’s important not to forget about other regular maintenance. Rocks, leaves and dirt can decrease the appearance of your driveway, but there are many other reasons why you should regularly sweep your parking lot. For one, removing this debris will also help you create a safe parking lot for the pedestrians using it. It also helps prevent standing water and drainage problems.
Drainage allows the water to channel away from your parking lot, so it doesn’t pool up and stay on the surface. Over time, standing water will allow moisture to seep into the asphalt, causing the surface to break down and cracks to form. Although you may not think of it this way, proper drainage helps you maintain your parking lot and prolong its lifespan.
If you do notice cracks from past water damage, it’s time to repair them now! Not only do they make your parking lot look unsightly, but they are also an unsafe tripping hazard for residents, customers and visitors. Cracks between 1/8” and 1” wide can be repaired using a crack fill mix of asphalt and rubber, a simple and relatively inexpensive way to maintain a safe parking lot.
Lighting is another important aspect of a safe parking lot. Poorly lit areas increase many potential risks, from tripping and falling to theft. To provide a safe environment for your tenants, customers or visitors, maintain a well-illuminated parking lot.
Maintaining your parking lot lines is also crucial to a beautiful, safe parking lot. Restriping improves the appearance of your parking lot, which can increase curb appeal and customer satisfaction. In terms of safety, well-defined parking lot lines create an organized parking lot that is ADA compliant. The benefits of restriping cannot be understated! To learn more, check out our blog post, 8 Benefits of Restriping Your Parking Lot.
A final tip that should not be neglected is to consider parking lot design and landscaping features. Adding trees, bushes and plants to your parking lot gives a pop of color and life in an otherwise urban environment. In addition to appearance, landscaping can help prevent soil erosion, reduce storm water damage and reduce carbon dioxide. This article has tips, including recommended trees for parking lots and paved areas.
A well-maintained parking lot takes time, but it is certainly worth it. Follow these tips to achieve a beautiful, safe parking lot for your business.
Integrity Paving & Coatings can help you create a beautiful, safe parking lot with seal coating, crack filling, restriping and other parking lot repairs. Learn more here, and call (512) 853-9009 to schedule a quote today.
Schedule your free, on-site consultation and estimate today! Call Integrity Paving & Coatings at (512) 853-9009 or get your quote online.