Your Parking Lot Needs A Spring Cleaning

by Bryan Presutti, Operations Manager
East Coast Industrial Services

Nothing can do so much damage to your parking lot in such a short amount of time as a nasty northeast winter. After four months of being relentlessly pounded by rain, sleet and snow, getting scraped and gouged by snow plows, eroded by snowmelt salts and chemicals, and deep freezes, your parking lot deserves some serious TLC. Spring is the perfect time of year to address the parking lot problems that winter’s onslaught has caused – from the cracks and potholes you can see, to more serious infrastructure issues that may be hiding below the surface.

WHY SPRING CLEANING MATTERS… A LOT

• Remember when you were growing up and your parents would tell you to take care of your toys so that they would stay in nice condition and last a long time? It’s the same thing with your parking lot. The work you have done on your lot in the spring, is what sets you up for easier, more effective upkeep the rest of the year. Being proactive about parking lot maintenance is the sure-fire way to prolong the life of your pavement and get the best return on your investment.
• First impressions matter! The condition of your parking lot is the first thing people notice when they visit your property. Whether those people are current or potential renters or current or potential customers, curb appeal does not go unnoticed, and can be a deal-breaker in some cases. And that leads us to number three…
• A clean and attractively appointed lot is also a safe lot. When you address the issues affecting how your lot looks and functions, you create a safer and more navigable environment for your clients and customers. Taking clean-up steps that remove risk shows that you care.

ASSESS & ADDRESS
East Coast Industrial Services offers comprehensive Parking Lot Maintenance & Repair Services, including visiting your property to conduct a thorough assessment of your parking and identify things that need to be addressed. Our process will uncover immediate needs and outline a sound proposal for regularly scheduled maintenance to keep your lot in top shape year-round.

Or… you and your property management team can handle this step yourself. Simply follow this basic 3-point inspection guide. All you need to do is take a walk around your property and look for the following tell-tale signs that you need to bring in some parking lot professionals.

1. SURFACES
Do you see any spots where your asphalt is buckling? Alligator cracks? Craters?

When you see cracks in your pavement, you’re looking at future potholes. Potholes, in turn, mean water getting under your parking lot’s surface, and that can lead to all kinds of additional – and much more expensive and urgent – mayhem in the future. Short of having your lot completely repaved and resealed (which we’re happy to do, by the way), having blemishes like these properly filled when they’re small is the best way to prevent them from growing into big headaches, including often unforeseen issues like the potential for trip and fall incidents or tire damage to customers’ vehicles.

When was the last time your parking lot was resealed? If it’s been more than a couple years, it may be time to do it again. Sealcoating protects your pavement against the elements all year, as well as from absorbing the various things that can leak out of vehicles. Its protective qualities can also slow the cracking process.

2. DRAINAGE
Do you notice any standing water on your lot?

You may not be able to see it all, but when it comes to your parking lot’s drainage system, out of sight should never mean out of mind. Months of debris – leaves and silt, detritus from winter road work, people’s trash – can lead to clogged drainage pathways. So can cracks! And when you don’t address standing water on your property, you invite problems from asphalt breaking down faster to safety liabilities.

To get a general assessment of your drainage system’s health, you can simply take a look along your curbs and gutters for clogs and cracks. Curbs and gutters work together with gravity and the pitch of your lot to encourage runoff. Next, follow those pathways to the catch basins on your lot. It may be a little more difficult to diagnose the health of these, as they are covered with steel grates and extend underground. If you see weeds or plants growing out of them, you’ve very likely got an issue. You may need to use a flashlight to get a good look into your catch basins for any blockage.

3. LINES & SIGNS
How do the markings and way-finding elements at your parking lot look?

Parking lot markings help visitors to your property know which direction to travel and where to park. They draw attention to emergency zones and crosswalks. They are a feature that contributes to the overall safety of your property.

The elements will fade these lines over time, and the impact of plow blades and snowmelt application, along with the wear of everyday traffic really speeds this process up. Just like a room in your home, a fresh coat of paint can go a long way in this instance. Having freshly painted lines does more than give your lot a sharp look, though; it improves user safety, ensures that your property meets compliance with regulations, and it also ups that ever-important curb appeal.

ECIS IS READY TO SPRING INTO ACTION
Spring is the time to take care of one of your biggest business investments. At ECIS, we are ready to work with you on immediate needs, a scheduled maintenance package, or both! Call us today at (845) 744-8148, and our team will help you identify your needs, set a plan, a budget, and get started on property maintenance that will get your lot looking springtime fresh and save you money.