Tips To Winterize And Take Care Of Your Parking Lot
Winter tends to be problematic for parking lots, especially if there’s snow involved. The snow prevents staff and customers from parking conveniently. It also wreaks havoc on the concrete or asphalt surface due to the freeze-thaw cycles. A damaged lot does not just look ugly but can also lead to accidents and injuries. It’s why businesses need to invest in commercial property maintenance in Denver to prepare the lot for winter.
Don’t think of maintenance as an expenditure, think of it as an investment to ensure that your business runs smoothly. You can take the following steps to protect your investment:
Repair Existing Damages
Snow and moisture will worsen whatever damages your lot has gathered during the warmer months. The freeze-thaw cycles can cause more spelling and widen the cracks. You should call a Denver parking lot repair firm to fix the damages to prevent them from worsening.
You might want to check your lot for signs of damages so that the firm doesn’t miss any. You should call the firm during the fall before it starts raining or snowing to make their task easier.
Apply Sealers
Sealants prevent moisture from seeping into the concrete or asphalt surface by filling its pores. They form an impermeable layer that prevents corrosion, surface damage and staining. If your Denver parking lot repair contractor applied a sealant properly, it should last a few years. You might not need extra layers in that case.
But you need to reseal it if the contractor applied it poorly or the layer is older than ten years. You can use eco-friendly sealants to prevent VOC exposure.
Hire Snow Remover
Snow removal is an important part of commercial property maintenance in Denver. Snow makes it hard to use the parking area, damages the surface and causes accidents. You need to remove it before it refreezes on asphalt to prevent damage. But clearing it yourself may be too much because you need to do it often.
You can hire a contractor to remove snow so that your staff focuses on running the business. They can use a shovel or a snowplow to clear the area depending on your budget and their equipment. A snowplow is ideal to clear the area quickly. Make sure that the plow doesn’t scratch the surface.
If you decide to DIY, follow the local guidelines to clear the snow. Do not use de-icing agents because they seep with the moisture when the ice melts. The ice will expand underneath and cause cracks, adding to the cost of commercial property maintenance in Denver.
Remove Debris
The debris remaining on the surface will get dragged by the plow and scratch the surface. Clear all the debris by fall so that they don’t get hidden by snow.
Stripe Lots
If your lot stripes have faded, then hire a Denver parking lot repair company to re-stripe them in the fall. Doing it in winter will be difficult because the moisture might affect the paint. Use moisture-resistant paint for the task to ensure that the stripes don’t fade after winter.
Clean With Pressure Washer
A pressure washer can renew your lot’s look. It can clear the area of stain, moss, dirt, etc. You should hire a pressure washing company rather than DIYing. Even though pressure washers are simple to use, they can be dangerous if mishandled.
Clear Drainage
Your downspout prevents rain and snow from flooding the area. You should ensure that they aren’t clogged and unclog them if they are. You should inspect them throughout the year to ensure that they function properly. You should also inspect the gutters and drains.
Identify Alternate Plots
At times your parking area may be covered with snow and the snow removal contractor may need time to arrive. You should identify alternate parking lots to help customers and employees. Once you identify spots, notify people through signboards and social media posts.
These are some ways to winterize and maintain your parking lot during the winter.
