Year-round asphalt pavement parking lot maintenance is absolutely imperative for commercial property owners. Whether you simply own the property itself or you’re a business owner, the exterior of your property is your pride and joy—or at least it should be. A well-maintained and clean commercial parking lot attracts more customers and leaves a good lasting impression on anyone who uses it. At the very least, maintaining your parking lot reduces the risk of your property standing out for all the wrong reasons (cracking, potholes, etc.).
Your asphalt parking lot says a lot about your business and how much you care about it. If you let your asphalt pavement fall into severe disrepair without making any effort to maintain it at all, then optically this can reflect poorly for your business as well. And it’s not just about keeping up appearances either.
Regular parking lot maintenance improves the functionality of your parking lot as well. Here are six reasons why you should invest in year-round asphalt pavement parking lot maintenance for your commercial property.
1. Makes a Positive First Impression
Maintaining your parking lot improves the overall curb appeal of your property and makes a good first impression on anyone who uses it. Generally speaking, most people only subconsciously notice when a parking lot is clean, smooth, and free of damages. But when a parking lot is littered with cracks, puddles, and potholes, people usually take notice—and they’re typically not happy about it.
A clean and well-maintained parking lot reflects positively on your business. It communicates to your patrons and your employees that you care enough about your business and their perception of it to take good care of your property. Consider your parking lot as a long-term business investment. The more you take care of it, the more you’ll get out of it in more ways than you can imagine.
2. Reduces Liability Risks
As a commercial property owner, you’re personally liable for the safety of everyone on your property. Neglecting to maintain your parking lot and allowing it to fall into disrepair can actually open you up to a lot of legal issues. If someone suffers a personal injury like a slip and fall or trips over a pothole due to your negligence to maintain your property, then that person could sue you.
Not only are there financial losses to consider, but a cracked and pothole-ridden parking lot could also have a negative impact on your reputation as a property owner. If business owners see that you don’t take care of your commercial property, then you could lose out on potential rental opportunities and this could decrease your income. It’s better to play it safe and keep your property as well maintained as possible, even if it means having to hire a local asphalt pavement contractor to do it for you.
3. Maintains Strict Safety Standards
Parking lot safety standards vary on a seasonal basis. During the winter, for instance, a safe parking lot is one that’s properly salted and free of ice and snow. In the warmer months, a safe parking lot is one that’s free of standing water, potholes, cracks, and other damages.
But there’s a lot more to maintaining parking lot safety standards than simply keeping the property clean and repairing the pavement. Maintaining parking lot safety standards also entails repainting line markings so people know where to park, adding directional arrows for one-way or narrow lanes, and designating no parking zones for emergency crews to make their way through if need be. Additionally, you should post speed limit signs, install traffic-controlling speed humps/bumps, and mark special parking spaces for expecting mothers, families with young children, and people with disabilities.
4. Increases Asphalt Pavement Lifespan
Proper maintenance can also help extend the lifespan of your asphalt pavement parking lot, which reduces the need for complex and expensive repairs over time. The type of maintenance required changes on a seasonal basis. It can be as simple as making minor repairs such as patching up cracks before they transform into potholes. In the winter, maintenance entails salting the pavement and removing snow and ice.
You should also look for areas that contain standing water. Puddles usually signify that there are already some structural weak spots throughout the pavement substrate. Over time, standing water will slowly erode the surface of the asphalt, weakening the pavement even more. Eventually, it’ll start to crack and crumble, allowing more water and other debris to penetrate the surface of the asphalt. Not only does this make for dangerous walking and driving conditions on your asphalt parking lot, but it can also cause extensive internal damages that may require an asphalt overhaul.
By making small repairs when they’re needed and sealcoating your asphalt parking lot once every two to three years, you can extend the lifespan of your pavement up to 20 to 30 years or more.
5. Saves Money by Limiting Expensive Repairs
As a business owner or commercial property owner, you already have enough expenses to worry about. From startup costs to paying your monthly rent, there’s a lot on your plate. The last thing you need or want is to add expensive asphalt pavement repairs or overhauls that could lead to significant downtime for your business. Routine property maintenance helps you avoid all of that and helps you keep money in your own pocket.
6. Allows for More Efficient Property Management
A clean, well-maintained asphalt pavement parking lot makes for smoother operations and fewer incidents on your property. This makes property management a lot easier since you have fewer issues to deal with on a regular basis. Efficient property management also makes for a more organized parking lot, which means you can easily maximize your space and get the most out of it.
Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. is one of the most trusted and reliable asphalt pavement contractors in Toronto and the GTA. For almost 25 years, we’ve been helping businesses and commercial property owners keep their parking lots clean and functional. Our services include asphalt pavement installation, repair, and general maintenance and we offer a comprehensive seven-year warranty. Contact us today to book an appointment.