Parking Lot Upkeep

We here at Better Stops know a few things about Parking Blocks and Speed Bumps, but we also want to give you some tips of the trade to keep your parking lot looking great and lasting a long time........I mean what's a lifetime warranty on your Parking Blocks and Speed Bumps mean if your parking lot doesn't last? Embrace the clean sweep. Keeping your parking lot clean of debris, including rocks, leaves, and dirt, will not only make it more attractive and safer for the cars and pedestrians using it, it will extend the life of your pavement. Dirt and debris can hamper drainage, leading to ponding and standing water on the surface of the asphalt. This causes the surface to break down over time and allow water into the sub base, softening it, and creating a perfect environment for cracks and potholes. Sweeping these otherwise “minor” irritants off your lot keeps you grounded and brings us to tip 2… It’s time for your check up. If you’re making frequent sweeps around your lot, it will be easier to keep an eye on things that might otherwise sneak up on you. Cracks, birdbaths, and holes are all threats to your surface’s long, full life, and finding them when they first appear is the best way to lower repair costs. While you’re sweeping and checking you might as well… Stay in the clear. Clearing basins and maintaining proper drainage is another way to add years to your parking lot. A backed-up drain is unsightly, can hide hazards, and the standing water will wear down the pavement’s stability. Fortunately, these first three can be performed simultaneously, and putting them into routine practice will make you a model pavement parent. Then it’s time to… Master the cracks. Is the occasional weed really a threat to a big ol’ stretch of asphalt or concrete? Well, would you let a weed grow up through the canvas of the Mona Lisa?!? Promptly eliminating weeds out of the cracks will prevent long term, irreparable damage. Their roots can push through the pavement, break down its surface, and create tripping hazards. While you’re at it… Fill ‘er up! A filled crack is a happy, safe, less destructive crack. It keeps water and vegetation out, and your pavement stays dry, solid, and strong. Not all cracks require sealing, but for those that are sufficiently wide and deep enough for it, sealing them as soon as they appear is the best strategy. Weeds, cracks, and debris aren’t the only enemies of a pristine parking lot, though… Foil the oil. Your beautiful parking lot is bound to be sullied by a drippy engine at some point, but aside from an unattractive stain, oil can cause similar problems as water: breaking down the integrity of the pavement and weakening your surface. There are a variety of methods for removing oil stains, some come straight out of your kitchen! (we’re looking at you, baking soda and Coca-Cola) Find out what works best for you, just do it before the oil stain gets too comfortable where it is. A less urgent but no less helpful method to caring for your lot is to… Show off your stripes. Rearranging the furniture at home not only gives everything a fresh look, it can also redirect foot traffic and spare the floors some wear and tear. The benefit to your pavement is the same. If tires are traversing and twisting over the same spots over and over, day after day, chances are those spots could use a break. Redirect, restripe, and reveal a freshly designed parking lot. You might even manage to increase your lot’s parking density while you’re at it. Of course, all of these efforts can only do so much if you don’t… Seal it with a…coat. Sealcoating your pavement every few years covers a multitude of pavement sins, slowing the natural breakdown of materials and preventing water, debris, and other elements from running away with your parking lot. Every lot is different: your climate and daily use will determine how quickly or slowly your sealcoat wears off, so consider coating every 2 years, and then see if you can space it out more. Our final tip? Come to Better Stops for all your Parking Block and Speed Bump needs, you will be glad you did!!