How Commercial Businesses Should Maintain Their Asphalt Parking Lots during Winter

Every business has its peak season when customers continuously flock in and off-peak seasons when operations slow down significantly. The beginning of the year when winter is still raging in full force in many parts of Canada is considered to be a generally slower time for many retailers. This year seems to be a little bit different, though. People have been cooped up in their homes for long periods of time and are itching to get out whenever they can. Aside from following COVID-19 health and safety protocols, businesses need to continue taking more traditional steps to keep customers safe. This includes maintaining asphalt parking lot safety measures in the form of snow and ice removal for the duration of the winter season.

Asphalt pavement is extremely durable and it can withstand a wide range of environmental and functional elements, but it’s not completely indestructible. To get your money’s worth out of your asphalt pavement, you have to take the time to properly maintain it—especially in the winter when Mother Nature throws everything she has at it.

Here are a few useful tips to help you maintain your property and get the most out of your asphalt pavement this winter while sticking to your budget.

Make a Snow and Ice Removal Plan

Whether you plan on maintaining your property yourself or hiring a professional company to do it for you, it’s important to plan ahead. Start by making a list of all of the snow and ice removal equipment you think you’re going to need for your business. Take a detailed inventory of items you already have and what you’re missing. Look for special deals on certain commercial snow removal equipment to help you save money. But if a deal seems too good to be true, be sure to trust your instincts and think twice about it.

If you’re unable to perform winter maintenance tasks yourself, then it’s always a good idea to hire a professional property maintenance company in your area. Be sure to book snow and ice removal services well in advance as winter is their peak season and their schedules will fill up quickly.

Make Necessary Repairs Immediately

Cracks and potholes are two of the most common asphalt damages that commercial property owners face in the winter. They can be caused by a number of factors including continuous heavy foot and vehicular traffic, drastic temperature changes (freeze-thaw cycles), standing water, sun damage, and more.

Neglecting to repair potholes and cracks right away will only lead to more asphalt pavement degradation down the line. Eventually, more expensive and intricate repairs or an asphalt overhaul may be necessary depending on the extent of the damage.

Inspect Your Asphalt Parking Lot Drainage System

Your parking lot drainage system, which consists of a network of fully functioning catch basins, catches and drains runoff water from your property. This is especially important in the winter when large quantities of snow and ice start to melt. If runoff water doesn’t properly drain from your parking lot, it becomes standing or pooling water (aka large and small puddles).

Standing water is a major indicator that there’s something wrong with your drainage system. This is an issue that needs to be dealt with promptly because standing water will eventually erode and degrade several layers of asphalt substrate, causing external and internal damage while weakening the structural integrity of your asphalt pavement.

Moreover, if your catch basin is clogged or breaks down for any reason, then this can cause water and debris backlog or backflow—otherwise known as flooding—and increase safety risks on your commercial property.

Keep Your Property Clean at All Times

Every day, before and after work, you should take the time to thoroughly inspect the exterior of your property for damages and to remove organic debris or litter. After all, cleanliness is next to godliness. Maintaining a clean parking lot that’s free of litter and properly marked throughout has a plethora of benefits. It boosts parking lot operational functionality and efficiency while increasing safety standards and reducing the risk of injury for anyone who uses your property.

Debris and litter that become trapped under heavy mounds of snow and ice don’t just break down, but they can become embedded in the fabric of your asphalt aggregate, causing it to degrade faster.

Furthermore, cleaning up your parking lot gives you the opportunity to inspect it for visible signs of aging and potentially dangerous disrepair such as cracks, potholes, dips, and depressions. As a conscientious, respectable, and responsible commercial property owner, you’re also a member of the community you serve. The condition of your parking lot and the lengths you go to, to take good care of it speak volumes about your business prowess. A clean, well-maintained, and organized parking lot indicates that you care about your business, how it’s perceived, and improving customer experiences.

Appearance is nine-tenths of the law and a parking lot covered in potholes, cracks, and other damages isn’t just an eyesore; it can also cause serious injury to your employees and customers. Professional property maintenance services can help you reduce the risk of injury and therefore minimize liability for property owners such as you.

Hire a Professional Parking Lot Maintenance Company in the GTA

If you’re looking for reliable asphalt parking lot maintenance during the winter for your commercial property, then feel free to contact Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. We provide thorough year-round asphalt parking lot installation, maintenance, and repair services in Toronto and the GTA. Our customers appreciate our transparency, fair pricing, and our commitment to delivering top quality satisfactory services. Book a consultation today and ask about our seven-year limited product and service warranty.