No matter what kind of business or property you own and operate, the parking lot is most likely one of your most important assets. It’s a pretty big portion of your company’s first physical impression, making a big contribution to curb appeal in addition to providing your customers with somewhere to park their vehicles. It’s crucial that your parking lot is durable and functional, but also well maintained so that its aesthetic appeal is always a boon for your business rather than a detractor.
Here in Wisconsin, however, that’s sometimes easier said than done. Thanks to our often harsh winters, seasonal precipitation and drastically fluctuating temperatures throughout the year, just existing can take a real toll on concrete surfaces throughout the state. This could lead to premature wear and costly repairs for your parking lot, so it’s of paramount importance to take a proactive approach to its maintenance and care, which can in turn extend its life. That’s what we’re here for today, to give you a few great examples of how to extend the life of your concrete parking lot here in Wisconsin.
Proper Installation
Before anything else, it’s incredibly important to start with proper installation. We’ve already made a post all about designing a concrete parking lot built to withstand Wisconsin winters, so we won’t rehash the details here, but we wanted to make sure to at least mention that proper installation is the foundation of longevity when it comes to any concrete structure.
Routine Cleaning & Inspection
One of the best things you can do for your concrete parking lot is simply take care of it. Stay on top of routine maintenance by regularly cleaning and inspecting your lot. Make it a habit — perhaps something you have on the schedule each week or month. Inspecting your lot for cracks, surface wear and discoloration can help you take care of small issues before they become big problems, and regularly cleaning the lot not only makes it look great but helps to mitigate those minor issues as well.
- Sweeping & Washing
- Your parking lot can become full of debris, dirt and automotive fluids, all of which can degrade concrete over time. Periodically sweeping your lot and cleaning it with a pressure washer can help to maintain the quality of your lot’s surface.
- Cleaning Spills
- Any time fluids like oil, gasoline or other chemicals are spotted on your concrete, it’s important to address them as quickly as possible. These things can seep into the concrete and weaken your parking lot’s composition.
- Monitoring Cracks
- If you notice small cracks in your concrete, don’t ignore them. These things can widen due to the frequent freeze-thaw cycles here in Wisconsin, which can lead to much larger structural concerns. It’s much better to intervene early to help preserve the integrity of your surface.
Promptly Addressing Cracks & Repairs
It doesn’t matter how well you maintain your parking lot, minor imperfections and cracks are always going to develop over time. What’s important is to address them as early as possible so you can protect your concrete from further deterioration, which can be quite costly.
- Filling Cracks
- There are specialized concrete fillers out there that you can utilize to address the cracks in your parking lot. These specialized fillers help to prevent moisture infiltration and structural weakening.
- Sealing Joints
- Your parking lot most likely contains expansion joints that were designed to accommodate your concrete moving as a result of temperature fluctuations, such as those aforementioned freeze-thaw cycles. Making sure to keep them properly sealed can minimize further stress fractures.
- Sealcoating
- Though more of a proactive option than reactive like the other two, sealcoating can provide an additional layer of protection against all kinds of environmental stressors. Applying a penetrating sealer or an acrylic coating can enhance the longevity of your lot.
Winter Maintenance Best Practices
Now, we’re going to wrap things up by just highlighting some best practices you should keep in mind throughout the winter months here in Wisconsin. Nobody wants snow and ice in their parking lot, but the methods you utilize to remove them can play a significant role in the preservation of your concrete surface.
- First of all, make sure that you’re using safe deicing agents. Your instinct might be to use traditional rock salt, but this can accelerate the deterioration of your concrete surface. Use a concrete-safe alternative like calcium magnesium acetate instead.
- Whether you’re plowing yourself or hiring a third party, make sure you or they use rubber-edged plows to prevent gouging and other common kinds of surface damage.
- Lastly, you can apply sand or some other kind of non-corrosive traction material to enhance the safety of your surface without harming the concrete itself.
We hope that all of this information will be helpful to you. Establish good habits early so that when winter comes around you’re already ready to go! Feel free to give us a call with any questions that you might have.