Winter is Coming: Act Now!
If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you know that our climate is pretty unique. We can generally count on mild, dry summers and cool, wet winters. However, as we experienced earlier this year, it’s not out of the question to get a surprise blizzard or two. In our region, we also tend to get snowfall that is particularly hazardous and damaging to asphalt or concrete. It might be surprising to learn that it isn’t the snow itself that causes most of the winter damage to our parking lots or roadway surfaces. In actuality, it’s the thaw after the fact. Winter is Coming: Act Now and Be Prepared!
Top tips for preparing your parking lot for winter!
The benefits of parking lot and roadway maintenance are numerous. Maintaining smooth, safe surfaces for pedestrians and motorists is a huge part. Saving money and headaches down the road is another factor. Taking preventative measures can increase the lifespan of your asphalt. Here are our top tips for preparing your parking lot for winter and keeping it safe and strong all winter long:
Firstly, get a consultation.
It is important that roadways, parking lots, and garages be assessed by a professional at least once a year. Furthermore, this person should be someone who can identify opportunities for preventative treatments, or note features that should be repaired. Your consultant can also identify potential safety improvements including updating markings, signage, and traffic flow.
Then you will want to fix small problems before they become big problems.
Pay attention to pooling water, which can lead to perilous potholes, and make sure to repair potholes when they appear rather than waiting for them to become bigger and more dangerous. Remember that a small crack today can turn into a pothole tomorrow.
Timing is everything.
Keep in mind that many services are best done in warmer weather. Some of our services such as seal coating, crack filling, and pavement striping should only be done at specific times of year. Your consultant can advise on what measures you should be taking to prepare and protect your lot from winter weather.
Keep an eye on visibility.
If bad weather hits, it’s vital that drivers are able to see markings and signage as best they can. Make sure your striping is clear enough to see through fog or a light coating of snow and ice. Wayfinding and safety signage should be clean and sturdy.
Shovel it up!
Frequent shoveling of even small quantities of snow can prevent snow and dirt from piling up, compacting, and becoming increasingly difficult to remove throughout the season.
Sweep it up!
Having your parking lot swept once a quarter or more can keep dirt and sand from collecting on road surfaces. In addition to maintaining a neat look, this makes de-icing easier if and when the time comes.
With winter just around the corner, this might be the last chance to protect your parking lot or asphalt surfaces from winter damage.
Give us a call to get the ball rolling on winterizing your parking lot. We’ll help you devise a plan to keep your lot, driveway, or garage looking great and functioning safely all year with proper roadway maintenance.
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