Many customers have their first impression of your company based on the parking lot. A customer does not only notice the visual appeal of the lot, but also immediately notices if there are any safety concerns and makes a judgement on the way you maintain it.
Having a crumbling parking lot is not only bad for public perception, but can also be extremely dangerous.
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that approximately 60,000 people are injured and 500 die in parking lots and garages every year. Distracted drivers are one of the leading causes of these accidents. According to a National Safety Council poll, 66 percent of respondents say they make phone calls while driving through parking lots, while others say they text, use social media, and program GPS while in lots.
The NSC states that pedestrian injuries are also caused by hazards such as potholes, cracks, and lack of signage, as well as debris, poor lighting, and puddles.
Making your parking lot as safe as possible can help reduce risks. Asphalt companies cannot eliminate all risks, but here are four steps you can take to keep your parking lot safe.
1. Fix Problem Areas
Almost everyone has seen potholes, cracks and crumbling edges. All of those are signs of natural wear and tear from the environment. These imperfections may be small, but they can turn into dangerous problems, leading to pedestrian falls and injuries or flat tires and vehicle damage.
You can contact Ideal Sealcoating for an assessment of the condition of your lot if you are not sure. We can review the current conditions and inform you if there are any safety concerns.
Depending on the damage discovered, a paving contractor like Ideal Sealcoating can fix potholes, seal cracks, re-stripe and mark your lot, and more. Furthermore, we can help you create and manage a long-term maintenance plan for your pavement surfaces.
2. Deal with Vehicle Oil
Parking lots can be severely damaged by oil pooling under vehicles. As the oil seeps into the asphalt, the surface can break down, eventually leading to cracks and possibly crumbling.
If you notice pools of oil on your lot, try to remove it as soon as possible with rags. You can remove the oil stain by scrubbing the area with baking soda. After cleaning the area, rinse it with water. Regular sealcoating can prevent oil leaks.
3. Sealcoat Regularly
In addition to preventing crumbles and cracks, proper maintenance prevents pedestrian injuries such as punctured tires, cracked wheels, and pedestrian injuries.
You can extend the life of your pavement and maintain it with sealcoating. In addition to its protective role, Sealcoat guards against sun, rain, and snow, as well as leaks and spills of gas or oil.
Ideal Sealcoating recommends sealcoating every two years to extend the life of your parking lot.
4. Maintain Parking Lot Markings
Having proper pavement markings is essential to the safety of your lot. Properly marked parking spots, handicap spots, stop lines, arrows and pedestrian crossing markings keeps order and safety to your lot.
If your lines have faded, Ideal Sealcoating will re-line your lot to ensure everyone can see the appropriate markings.
Parking lot maintenance is extremely important for keeping your parking lot safe for your employees and customers. To get a professional plan for maintaining your asphalt surfaces, contact Ideal Sealcoating today!
