With the cold weather fast approaching, this is an ideal time to investigate how to maintain your parking lot. Soon enough, the dryer weather will give way to snowfall, and those puddles will morph into mini frozen ponds. These conditions threaten your parking lot with cracks, potholes, and the unhappy customers that come with them.
If only there were a solution that both cured your parking lot of its pitfalls and removed the snow from it when winter finally comes. Wait. There is! Speck USA, with over 50 years of experience transforming commercial parking lots, gives you the smooth, safe parking surface that keeps your business moving even in the dead of winter.
How to Maintain Your Parking Lot in Iowa
Parking lots can be a hefty undertaking, especially when the Iowa weather looks less pleasant in the not-to-distant future. As your parking lot shows signs of wear and tear (e.g., cracks, chips, potholes, etc.), you can count on freezing water expanding within those cracks and crevices. That’s why it’s so important to call in the pros before the environment makes it all but impossible.
Sometimes, a patch job of these problem areas is all you need, but as the years progress, a full resurface will be in order to protect your customers and, thus, your business. Another way to put it is this: Resurface your parking lot now so cleaning it is as easy as possible later.
Resurfacing
Take a good, long look at your parking lot. How many blemishes does it have? If it’s only a few scars here and there, no big deal. But if the surface threatens to trip your customers and beat their tires in short order, the time has come for a new, full layer of smooth, sturdy ground.
First, we prepare these areas with patches or milling. Then, we apply a new coat of either concrete or asphalt. Finally, we complete the look with a new set of parking stripes. When striping is complete and the application cures, it’s time for sealing.
Black Seal Coating
It’s important to let the new pavement cure before applying further treatments. This gives the mixture a chance for oils and moisture to evaporate. In general, you want to allow at least 24-48 hours before there’s any foot or vehicle traffic.
Once the surface reaches adequate hardness, it’s ready for a black seal coat. Why do you want to seal the pavement? Sealing provides added protection from rain, snow, automotive fluids, and UV rays. By applying a black seal coat every couple of years, you prolong the life of your parking lot as it endures traffic and the elements. It’s one of the best investments you can make in your parking lot because it helps prevent more costly repairs in the future.
The best time for this procedure in Iowa is between late May and mid-October, when average temperatures remain at or above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cleaning and Snow Removal
With a new surface in place, your next objective is to keep your parking lot clean and accessible. Pre-winter, this involves removing litter, leaves, and debris with a reliable sweeping service. Speck USA dispatches a 24/7 sweeping service to help keep your parking lot clear and ready for the day ahead.
Additionally, we offer 24/7 snow removal services including plowing, salting, and de-icing in the winter months when the weather is especially unpredictable.
Parking Lot Maintenance for Your Business
Before the weather turns too cold, contact Speck USA. We’ll come to you for an on-site consultation. Together, we’ll devise a customized solution for your parking lot that will sustain your business through every season. Click here to learn more about why your parking lot should be a high priority.
