Running a parking lot? You need to maintain an endless conveyor belt of customers to keep business afloat. You need to appeal to a wider audience of car owners, not just your regulars. A parking lot full of potholes, faded lines, and overgrown weeds is the kind of place customers make a quick U-turn. Parking lot maintenance and repairs are essential for safety and aesthetics. Here’s how to keep your lot in top shape!
Spring Parking Lot Maintenance Checklist
March to May is the spring season in Edmonton. A spring parking lot maintenance checklist can be divided into four categories:
Prepare for winter season
Seal repair
Marking management
Landscaping Refreshment
Start by sorting the debris into waste, recyclable, or trash. Inspect the parking lot, checking for damage caused by snow plowing, freeze-thaw cycles, and general wear. Repair using sealcoat to avoid compromising the asphalt and extend its lifespan.
Refreshing the parking lines, directional arrows, and safety symbols will improve visibility and repair damage caused during winter. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make it harder for plants and other landscaping elements to survive.
As spring arrives, it’s a good time to revive the landscaping around the parking area. Trim the edges, manage fungal growth, and nourish the ground to create an inviting environment. Remember to check the lighting and replace burnt-out lights.
Summer Parking Lot Maintenance Checklist
Edmonton’s summer typically spans from June to August. It’s characterized by warm, dry days with July being the warmest month. The weather will be the wettest with high raifall in July. To prepare your parking lot for the summer, follow this checklist:
Inspect for damage regularly
Control dust
Touch up your landscaping
Clear the drainage system
Addressing cracks and portholes promptly can prevent further wear and tear, particularly during peak usage.
Consider the humidity level in Edmonton and the frequency of summer storms in your assessment. For parking lots that experience high parking flow in the summer, regular self-coating is the best preventative measure you can take.
A power wash, for instance, is the most efficient way to clean, remove tough stains, and enhance the appearance during the warmer months. Mulching is an essential practice for temperature regulation, which is crucial for protecting the landscaping.
Before applying a mulch, remove weeds to support healthy plant growth, using a cultivator or herbicides. Hydro jetting your drainage systems and culverts may be necessary to dissolve blockages and prevent flooding during summer showers.
Fall Parking Lot Maintenance Checklist
September to November brings the fall season in Edmonton. The weather becomes crisp and cool. Rainfall comes the first snowfall comes towards the end of the season. For parking lot maintenance during this time, do the following:
Clear leaves
Prepare for the winter season
Make snow removal plans
Improve visibility and hazard warning
Leaf vacuums can suck up leaves and debris from your parking lot efficiently. From the beginning of the fall season, maintain a regular vacuuming schedule to prevent debris buildup and slip hazards.
Focus on debris removal, a landscape touch-up, weeding, pruning, mulching, and protecting the greenery from the effects of winter. Conduct a thorough inspection for wear and tear. Seal the surface to reduce parking lot maintenance and repairsneeded.
Winter Parking Lot Maintenance Checklist
Edmonton winters are cold. Snowfall lasts from November to March, with January being the coldest month. Here are things to do:
Plan for snow and ice removal
Inspect drainage
Regularly plow, shovel, and blow snow to a designated area. A commercial cleaning crew offering parking lot maintenance services in Edmonton will offer de-icing services to prevent ice build-up and minimize impact on the asphalt.
Keep the drainage clear of obstructions. Monitor icing conditions to prevent hazards. Inspect ice patches and address hazards promptly.
Conclusion
Parking lot maintenance is a crucial aspect of running a successful business, ensuring safety and enhancing aesthetics. Following a comprehensive checklist for maintenance all year round will help you meet the needs of your customers and meet strict safety standards for parking lot maintenance in Edmonton.
Take the easy route and leave parking lot maintenance to the pros at Vital Property Services, a trusted commercial cleaning company in Edmonton. Get the job done right.
A parking lot is the most important part of your commercial premises. As a property owner, you need to keep this area safe and functional. However, regular usage leads to wear and tear on the surface. Heavy machinery and adverse weather conditions also cause deterioration to the parking area. This calls for restoring its condition. You can contact experts for parking lot maintenance services in Edmontonto ensure it will be in the best condition, both functionally and aesthetically.
Here’s everything you need to include in the parking lot maintenance plan for your business.
What To Include In Your Parking Surface Maintenance Plan?
Parking lot experts focus on a few significant aspects of proper maintenance.
Check The Drainage
If rainwater cannot drain from the parking area, the accumulated water will damage the surface. The standing water will form cracks and holes over time. Thus, it will shorten the pavement’s lifespan and increase the risk of falls. Moreover, it will make the overall condition unsanitary. The surrounding infrastructure and vehicles also have a risk of damage.
So, professionals will check if your parking lot has a slope and an internal drainage system. During maintenance, they will restore the drainage of the area.
Sealcoating And Crack Repairs
Sealcoating makes your asphalt pavement long-lasting. The experts will apply the seal coat properly and ensure protection against gasoline or oil. This approach also saves your parking lot from the impact of heavy traffic and bad weather elements. The natural oxidation process takes a number of weeks to make the surface free from light oils. You must seal coat the surface every 4 years to provide the best protection. So, look for the most efficient parking lot maintenance contractor in Edmonton and get sealcoating services.
Your parking lot may show cracks over time. A working crack (longer than 2.5 mm) is horizontal or vertical, but non-working cracks are smaller than 2.5 mm.
You need to seal the cracks to prevent water infiltration. The sealing agent will bend and stretch with the pavement’s movement; so, it prevents further cracks on the surface.
Sweeping And Snow Removal
Your parking lot needs regular cleaning to keep the surface free from debris. Accumulated debris will prevent drivers from navigating the surface. So, remove the dirt and optimize the space in your parking area. Moreover, if buildup grimes are left for several days, it will accelerate deterioration.
On winter days, experts will remove snow from the surface and allow smooth navigation. Thus, look for the best company for parking lot maintenance in Edmonton.
Parking Lot Striping
Striping is another activity included in the parking lot maintenance plan. It is the marking on the parking lot’s surface and allows direction to maintain traffic flow. Professionals ensure highly durable and effective pavement markings.
Some experts use water-based acrylic paints that ensure lasting durability and good visibility. Moreover, these paints are eco-friendly and provide a long-term value to your parking area.
Repaving The Surface Of Your Parking Zone
During inspection and maintenance, if the professionals have noticed severe damages, they consider repaving. Asphalt parking surfaces last for around 30 years. So, hire highly skilled professionals to resurface your parking lot. Although it is slightly costly, you will get a lasting solution.
Vital Property- The Best Company For Parking Area Maintenance
Vital Property has the best professionals to help you with ongoing parking lot maintenance and repairs. Our experienced experts will assess the surface and make the right decisions. Our parking lot maintenance services in Edmonton are available at a cost-effective rate. We will clean the surface and repair the damages to make the surface smooth and safe for visitors.
A clean, well-maintained parking lot in your commercial premises creates a good impression. However, while constructing the parking space, you need to choose the material carefully. Concrete and asphalt are common materials used for the surface of a parking lot. That’s why you must evaluate the pros and cons of both these materials to make the right choice.
We’d like to discuss the factors that help you distinguish between asphalt and concrete to create your parking zone.
Installation Cost- Asphalt Versus Concrete
Cost is the most significant factor for your parking lot construction in Edmonton. In terms of upfront costs, asphalt costs less than concrete. That is why most commercial property owners want to invest in asphalt for their parking lots. The overall costs may vary with the local markets. What’s more, asphalt allows quicker installation, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations during construction.
However, concrete is costlier to install, although it provides a longer-lasting value. You may need to replace or resurface asphalt after 25 years, but with proper parking lot maintenance in Edmonton, the concrete surface lasts longer.
Which is a More Durable Material?
Durability is another factor that lets you choose between concrete and asphalt for the parking zone. Although asphalt is resilient, temperature fluctuations may cause damage to the surface. In the chilly winter months, asphalt has a risk of cracks. But, you can easily repair the asphalt surface and restore it. Resurfacing will extend the lifespan of your asphalt parking lot.
On the contrary, extreme temperatures do not affect concrete surfaces. One demerit of concrete is that it gets stained. Moreover, if the surface is not properly reinforced, heavy loads will cause cracks in the concrete parking lot.
Although concrete is a popular choice, it is difficult to repair damages.
Which Has More Maintenance Needs?
Most parking lot owners are concerned about the long-term maintenance costs. Although asphalt is a cost-effective material, it needs regular maintenance. Experts recommend seal coating and crack filling to maintain the best condition of the parking lot. You need to seal the surface every few years to prevent potential water damage.
On the contrary, a concrete parking lot’s surface needs less maintenance. Although it has a risk of surface wear and cracks, it needs less frequent maintenance. So, you will save a lot in the long run.
Which is More Aesthetic?
An asphalt parking lot looks more attractive because it has a smooth and sleek finish. It reflects a professional look, which is important for commercial premises. The marks or stripes on the surface will be visible, ensuring convenience to visitors. But, the surface may fade in due course if it receives high traffic regularly.
Concrete has a decorative look, as you can add textures and stains to the surface. However, these customizations will make the parking lot construction project costlier.
Which is Eco-friendly?
Most businesses want to choose sustainable materials for their parking lots. Although asphalt contains petroleum-based ingredients, it is recyclable. You can invest in recycled asphalt to construct your parking lot. It is the best approach for showing your eco-consciousness.
On the contrary, slag or fly ash is used to make concrete. Although it is not recyclable, it minimizes environmental impact. Due to its longevity, concrete is a more sustainable material.
Looking for the Most Reliable Parking Lot Experts?
Vital Property is a prominent company with a team of professionals for parking lot maintenance in Edmonton. We construct new parking zones and maintain the existing ones. We aim to deliver top-notch solutions for your parking lot. Contact us and learn more about our services.
Your parking lot should be clean and damage-free to give the best experience to visitors. However, seasonal change causes an impact on parking areas. The parking zone experiences different issues every season, from sweltering summer to frigid winter. Weather elements cause deterioration to the paved surfaces. So, you can hire professionals for parking lot maintenance in Edmonton.
A Parking Lot’s Condition on the Summer Days
The summer heat is damaging to concrete and paved surfaces. You will notice durability issues, discoloration, and other problems in your parking zone.
Extreme heat causes dehydration to the concrete surface and degrades its strength. The materials will become loose, and you will find cracks in your parking lot. But, professional repairers will restore the surface by repairing the holes.
Moreover, temperature shock can damage even high-quality concrete material. Your parking lot’s material will not last long, as there is a risk of cracks. People in the urban areas must invest in concrete protection on the hot summer days.
The sun’s UV rays are also detrimental, as they cause discoloration. Higher temperatures and dehydrated concrete surfaces lead to a bleached appearance. The sun even turns a monochromatic parking lot into a bleached grey surface.
The sealant also gets destroyed when the temperatures are excessively high. You may choose stronger sealant materials and avoid epoxy ones. UV rays easily damage the epoxy on the parking surface.
Effects of Autumn on the Parking Surface
Autumn takes a toll on your parking area and other exterior surfaces. Fall foliage can harm the asphalt pavement and parking zones. Autumn leaves that contain tannins cause stains on the surface. Concrete surfaces make the stains more noticeable. Though the leaves do not damage the materials, they will temporarily discolor the surface. Call professionals to remove the stains and maintain aesthetics.
Brittle leaves from big trees may not cause severe damage to the durable asphalt. However, some leaves carry abrasive dirt that scratches the asphalt surface. It is easy to remove the scratches and scuffs from the surface.
Although fall foliage appears beautiful, it carries pests and fungi. These microorganisms slowly affect the underlying asphalt layers and blacktop seal coating. That is why it is essential to remove debris and leaves from the asphalt parking surfaces.
The accumulated leaves on the pavement and parking zones absorb water. Moisture not only causes stains but also leads to asphalt erosion. Water gets into the deep layers through cracks and pores. Temperature fluctuations cause contraction and expansion of the material, resulting in cracks.
Winter Season and the Hazards to Your Parking Lot
Winter leaves a blanket of snow and makes Mother Nature look beautiful. But, it poses a safety risk to your parking lot users. Snow accumulation will affect the parking capacity. It limits accessibility for both employees and customers. The snowy, slippery surface also increases the risk of accidents to visitors. So, your parking lot maintenance team should remove snow during heavy snowfall. Experts will make the surface easily navigable on winter days.
The piles of snow also cause structural issues to your pavement. It leads to cracks and potholes, reducing the longevity of the parking zone. Thus, create your snow management plan and keep the site safe.
The Effects of Spring on the Parking Zones
You might have created a spring cleaning routine for your office and home. Your parking lot also needs your attention in the spring.
Winter weather may leave behind potential safety hazards and unsightly debris. Accumulated debris and snow will shorten the lifespan of the paved surface. The leftover debris may also put the drivers and pedestrians at risk. You need professional sweeping services to overcome post-winter challenges.
Sometimes, spring rainfall causes a pool of water in your parking lot because of the clogged drain. Regular sweeping is essential to keep the drainage system functional and clear.
Spring is a season of renewal, but your parking zone needs maintenance to stay in top condition. If your commercial premises receive a high amount of traffic, invest in parking lot upkeep services.
Conclusion
To conclude, your parking lot needs maintenance throughout the year. Every season brings different challenges that need to be addressed efficiently. At Vital Property, we specialize in year-round parking lot maintenance in Edmonton. Whether it’s sealing cracks, clearing debris, or managing snow, our experts are here to provide reliable and affordable solutions to keep your parking area in pristine shape. Don’t let seasonal changes compromise your parking lot—reach out to us today for professional care and peace of mind.
