Let’s admit it, parking lots are often an afterthought when designing homes, buildings, malls, or offices. As a result, parking lots become dreaded spaces where no one wishes to stay than necessary. But, when these spaces are maintained, they add to the character of the property. The key to maintaining them is paying attention even to minor issues and problems they are showing.
1. Conduct visual inspections
If you are a property manager or homeowner, the best way to maintain parking lots is to visit them in a regular manner. Inspect what the parking lot looks like. Take note if you see any manifestation of degradation so you or an expert can resolve them immediately.
2. Sweep the pavement
For others, building the parking lot is the end of their job. In reality, you still have a lot of work to do after building it. One basic and easy way to maintain a parking lot is to sweep the pavement on a regular basis. This is to remove any organic material that might make the pavement weak.
This can be done daily. If in case you do not have time to do this chore, you can hire someone. Remember that doing maintenance activities like this is actually less expensive than a major renovation of your parking lot.
3. Clear out the drains
Water is a menace to asphalt and other pavement surfaces. If your parking lot is made of asphalt or other porous materials, water should be kept away from the surface at all times. Water can seep through the pores of the pavement and expand when the temperature is low, creating large holes in the process.
To keep water away from the parking lot, you should regularly clear out the drains. The drains may be clogged by accumulated debris. The debris can consist of dead leaves, mud, plastic, and other wastes.
4. Seal any cracks
Cracks on the surface of the pavement of your parking lot should be readily dealt with while they are still small. If left unattended, these small cracks can lead to gaping holes when water seeps into these cracks.
Filling in the cracks while they are still small is an inexpensive way to maintain your parking lot in good condition. Cracks that have turned into big holes cost more tools, materials, and human resources to fix.
5. Clean oil drippings
Gasoline and oil drippings from vehicles are two common occurrences in parking lots. Even though they’re common, many people do not know that oil and gasoline can eat away some of the most important materials in asphalt. Oil and gasoline can dissolve the binder that holds the asphalt aggregates together.
Oil and gasoline spills on the asphalt should be readily removed. There are plenty of oil and gasoline removers in the market that can get the job done.
6. Do sealcoating
Sealcoating the entire parking lot is recommended to be done every three years or so, depending on the traffic load and weather conditions. This process provides overall protection from the elements including water, oil, gasoline, harsh temperatures, and traffic load.
