For most people, spring is a welcome change from the cold temperatures, snowdrifts, and icy pavements of winter. It is time to pack away the parkas and spend more time out of the house. They may want to dine out, shop, look for a new residence or visit a professional for advice. Whatever their motivations for visiting your business, the first thing they are likely to notice is the condition of your parking lot. If it emerged from winter’s grip with faded pavement markings or other damages, they could form an unfavorable opinion of your company.
It is not just the aesthetics; if parking spaces are not clearly marked, they risk “door dings.” They might worry about having their vehicle towed if they cannot identify no-parking zones, such as loading areas or fire lanes. Without parking lot striping and pavement markings, they may not be able to determine the proper pattern that traffic should flow. In short, pavement striping and markings make your parking lot a safer place as well as a more attractive one. If you are planning to have your parking lot striped, here are a few things you might want to consider doing to make the work go more efficiently.
Parking Lot Striping – Time to Inspect Your Parking Lot
Check your lot to see if you need to have cracks or potholes repaired, sealcoating applied, or obstructions removed before striping. Review your configuration to ensure your lot is ADA-compliant and that traffic flow patterns are optimized for safety and efficiency.
Inform Others of Your Plans
Your tenants, customers or employees need to know ahead of time that you are having the lot striped. Remind them that their vehicles will have to be removed from the work area prior to the commencement of the job. Direct them to an alternative parking area. Ask them to refrain from walking on or driving across wet paint; paint will normally be completely dry no more than an hour after it is applied.
Have the Lot Swept
Power washing is not necessary as your contractor will handle that. However, over the winter, your lot may have accumulated a great deal of debris, including rocks and gravel, sand, or trash. This debris will need to be removed before the asphalt paving contractor can power wash the pavement. If you are not sure that your lot has a sufficient accumulation to justify having it swept, discuss it with your sealcoating contractor.
If You have a Sprinkler System, Turn it Off
Your pavement needs to be dry before your contractor can apply paint. Turn off your sprinklers, allowing adequate time for water to evaporate before work starts. Depending on the amount of water that your sprinklers deposit on your parking lot, you should turn them off at least 12 hours beforehand. If your lot is heavily shaded or temperatures are on the cool side, you should probably allow closer to 24 hours.
Let a Professional Handle Your Striping
B&E Coating Services has extensive experience in all phases of parking lot striping and pavement markings. We offer our services to a variety of businesses, shopping centers and institutions throughout Michigan. Whether you need your parking lot striped, your asphalt sealedor repaired, our asphalt paving crews have the skills and experience to deliver impressive results at affordable prices. Give our Big Rapids asphalt paving contractors a call at 989-352-7305 or complete our online quote request to receive a free estimate.
