Facility owners know that customers judge their business the moment they step out of their vehicles. If nothing is more important than a first impression - make sure that the first step is an extension of what your business stands for. A brick-and-mortar facility needs a great facade, but what’s a great exterior without the continuation of it into a high-end, cared-for parking area?
Parking lot maintenance is a significant part of a customer’s first impression but frequently the most overlooked portion of a business owner’s upkeep. While asphalt maintenance is integral to any business - be it for looks or practicality - it’s also tedious and, if not done correctly, an expensive undertaking. It may be time for some care and attention to be paid to the most-frequented portion of your property, and hiring a professional parking lot maintenance company may just be the best, most cost-effective approach. Read on to learn more about the services that can be rendered by a professional maintenance company.
Establishing a Budget: Inspect And Seal
As an owner, you may already be familiar with the cost associated with the paving and lining of a new parking lot. That initial investment is a necessary one, but also a number that will be remembered when the time comes to do a full repave on neglected asphalt. Did you know that with regular asphalt maintenance, that timeline can be lengthened so that not only does a full repave not sneak up on you but that your lot can keep its original luster for years to come?
For newer lots, regular inspections can help ensure wear and tear from vehicles is not providing an unlevel surface. These exterior maintenance services, combined with a pavement sealer, are a proactive way to prevent your lot from normal wear and tear and weather damage. A good seal coat needed only every three to five years, is the best way to protect your pavement from water, snow, ice, and UV damage. It will also help to fill any minor cracks or crevices on the surface.
Abandon the Phrase “Beyond Repair”
For owners that haven’t taken preventive measures, there are other options. Even if you’ve missed out on inspections and seal coating, filling cracks and repairing potholes are two of the simplest ways to help restore and protect your lot.
Filling cracks as soon as they appear can help increase the longevity of your asphalt. Without maintenance, cracks will allow water penetration, one of the most common causes of failed pavement. Left untreated, regular wear and tear from vehicles will lead to more cracks and a softened base, compromising the entire lot. Filling cracks is not just a safety measure but the next best way to delay a full repave.
Similar to cracks, potholes allow water to work its way into your parking lot. Products can be found for quick and cheap repairs, but typically will not provide long-lasting fixes. A product with a longer lifespan and work performed by a professional maintenance company can have a pothole dug out and recompacted with new asphalt and fixed for good.
Finishing Touches
New parking lines aren’t just for looks. They can protect your lot in many ways. Correctly identifying areas for customers to park or load allows a business owner to avoid vehicles driving over curbs or parking in non-designated areas where pavement may be susceptible to future damage. Lining can also help in the winter, as snow plows will have better visibility to clear specific portions of a lot without damaging the surface or unnecessary areas. Allowing a professional to stripe and mark lines in your lot will also ensure that ADA parking lot guidelines are followed correctly.
Exterior Maintenance Services with Cenova
Cenova is a customer-focused provider of Exterior Site Services, including Snow and Ice Management, Landscape Maintenance, Landscape Enhancement, and Parking Lot Maintenance Services. To learn more about Asphalt Care and Maintenance or to speak with one of Cenova’s experts about any of our offerings, contact us today at 877-334-2348 or by emailing us at cenova@cenovainc.com.