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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SEALCOAT A PARKING LOT

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Many business owners who own parking lots are unaware of the damaging effects of winter, and how they can make you shell out your money. If you don’t manage to prepare your parking lot properly, there is a considerable risk of getting trapped. Before another brutal winter destroys your parking lot, let’s go over everything you need to know to be able to prevent severe damages. Here we will discuss some tips and tricks for you to maintain a long-lasting parking lot for years to come. Before we go into the preventative steps, you first need to understand what can happen to your parking lot if no appropriate measures have been taken.

FADING

Fading is the most common problem that occurs at the extreme level, especially with snow. The point is that faded markings and lines may lead to unfortunate accidents and complete confusion for individuals trying to park. This problem can be caused by the heavy use of salt to get rid of snow and ice. It may be challenging to strip it away without damaging the surface. Also, fading makes things more complicated when it comes to maintaining heat to get rid of snow at a parking lot naturally.

CRACKS AND HOLES

If there are numerous cracks and potholes in your parking lot, it’s of utmost importance to fix them before winter rolls around. Otherwise, they will end up contracting and making things more troublesome for a business owner. This may also result in severe damages to large sections of a parking lot because melted snow may flow beneath the pavement. Cracks and holes are formed easily in winter, making it very frustrating for parking lot owners. Therefore, it is crucial to plan a budget for sealcoating, pothole and crack filling. By doing so, your area will be able to last much longer without any upkeep.

EFFECTS OF SNOW PLOWS

Although this problem is not so common as fading and formation of cracks, it’s also worth mentioning. Of course, using vehicles for clearing the outside area of your facility is a reasonable step. However, the activity of snow plowing may significantly damage a parking lot if a machine operator fails to place a blade at the right level. When the blade of such a vehicle drags along the parking lot surface, it may compromise its integrity.

ESSENTIAL STEPS TO PREPARE A PARKING LOT FOR WINTER

  • Apply sealcoating
When it comes to sealcoating a parking lot, you have to realize all effects of the procedure. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect your area from the harsh winter conditions. This solution means filling small cracks to avoid larger ones and enable the pavement to withstand all the issues associated with temperature fluctuations. Sealcoating will also make sure a parking lot stays darker and absorbs the heat from the sun, making it more difficult for snow to accumulate on the surface.
  • Cooperate with professionals
Having a reliable team to tackle the snow-related issues is highly advantageous for business owners. Thus, you can always be sure of the availability of means to handle the pavement properly and add to its lifespan.
  • Keep an eye on the drainage
A well-functioning drainage system is considered to be a must for all facilities with parking lots. It will help you to get rid of melting snow and undesired standing water before it freezes.
  • Remove all debris
Keeping an area clean is one of the most important measures you should take to make sure a parking lot will withstand the winter conditions. Apart from an eye-pleasing look and a welcoming environment for your customers, such area will also make your facility safer. If there is no debris, the risk of falling is minimized. Moreover, the clean lot will contribute to the pavement lifespan by limiting the surface erosion.

SEALCOATING IS WORTH INVESTING

Keep in mind that no pavement is resistant to fading and surface damages. However, it’s up to you to increase its durability and provide it with adequate protection. While resisting sun oxidation and reducing surface erosion risks, sealcoating belongs to those procedures that lead to long-lasting results. It is a crucial measure that must be taken to protect the pavement from the harsh realities of winter and save lots of money in the long run. In addition to significant protective properties, sealcoating is known for extending the life of a parking lot as well as improving its appearance. The last feature is highly advantageous for all business owners as they can provide their customers with a visually appealing and safe way towards the entrance door. With all its benefits in mind, sealcoating is deemed to be the very thing for business owners who take care of the condition of their parking lots. Once this measure is implemented, you will forget about fading, cracks, and holes in your pavement.