With warm weather rolling in, people across the country are saying “goodbye” to memories of winter.  Even with typical fluctuations in temperature common to the season, people are opening their windows and swimming pools, hanging up their coats, and hitting the gym to get that beach-ready bod.

You may be wondering what you can do to get your property into tip-top shape for summer.  As a facility professional, you are given the task of maintaining the safety and integrity of your property.

The following is a “must-have” checklist to get your parking lot fit for summer:

Walk your parking lot and note cracks that have either widened or formed over the harsh winter months.  Cracks that measure 1/4-inch to 1-inch wide are good candidates for cracksealing.

Consider if your parking lot needs to be swept of dirt and debris.

Take note of catch basins throughout your parking lot.  Pay special attention to sinking or deterioration which may indicate a problem beneath the surface.

Pinpoint if sealcoat and lot marking has started to fade.

Assess any damage to curbs from snow plows.

Identify areas of standing water on your parking lot.

Determine whether your lot is in need of basic maintenance repairs or structural repairs.

Evaluate your budget for parking lot repairs.  Has that figure been approved for maintenance on your property?

Speak with a reputable paving contractor regarding any problem areas you’ve noticed on your parking lot.

By following this list and taking action today, you too can have a problem-free parking lot in time for summer!

Let us know how we can help get your parking lot in shape this season!

As much as we’re cautioned to ‘never judge a book by its cover,’ first impressions count and they usually start on the surface.  This same truth applies to your property.  How can you attract more business to your door?  Start with the first area encountered by your visitors—the parking lot.

Make-overs make all the difference!

Is your parking lot in top condition or could it use a little TLC?  There are several signs that point to a need for a make-over.  Observing and tending to these signs serves two important purposes:  taking notice helps prevent problem areas from worsening and further weakening the surrounding area and making timely repairs increases curb appeal.

Does your parking lot have any of the following?

A tight turning radius–If it exists, the pavement in that area will probably fail prematurely due to the additional stress of cars trying to grind their way around the curve.

Grass in pavement cracks–If it exists, water can easily penetrate the pavement causing a structural problem beneath the surface.

Alligator cracking–“Spider web” or “chicken wire” cracking indicates there is a problem with the base; areas with this type of cracking need to be cut out and replaced.

A pale surface–If sealer has worn away or if it has been more than 24 months since the last application, this service should be budgeted for and performed soon.

Make-over your parking lot this May and enjoy the benefits—both aesthetic and economic—for years to come.

Got a question concerning the appearance of your parking lot?  Ask us here!  We’ll be happy to share our insight, tips, and suggestions to improve the look and durability of your pavement.

This week’s post will focus on the first step; please check back each week throughout the month of April for information on all four steps.

Step 1 is Set-up.  Prior to beginning most paving projects, a map of the area in need of repair should be created and reviewed.  This document should include the number and location of entranceways, drive lanes, crosswalks, fire lanes, as well as ADA parking stalls.  Once created, a skilled project manager should review the map with the property or facility manager to make certain that all areas are properly addressed and to answer any questions or concerns.  He or she should also review this documentation internally so that the crew completely understands the project prior to arriving on site.

This picture was taken during the “set-up” phase of a paving project. The picture depicts an on-site meeting where the project manager is reviewing a site map in detail.

Next, the number of project phases are determined.  An experienced project manager will phase the project around entrances and accessible parking to maintain clear and definable access throughout the project.  Whenever possible, some handicapped-accessible parking spots should be available during all phases.  Traffic control goes hand-in-hand with how a project is phased and its importance cannot be emphasized enough.  Barricades, flagmen, and signage are all instruments to aid in the process of directing traffic when work is in progress.  It should be determined well in advance how many of each should be utilized.  Proper signage serves to notify motorists and pedestrians of work areas and alternate routes that should be taken to avoid the construction.  Barricades may also be used to block areas that will be off limits (if barricades will remain in place during the evening hours, they should be equipped with lights). 

The final phase of Set-up involves a pre-job walk-through.  This allows the project manager to walk the site with the facility manager pointing out what work will be performed and at what time.  Communication with the manager and to corporate headquarters is the key component for a successful project.  Management needs to know what to expect so they can better accommodate customers during the construction phases and notify employees of any procedural changes ahead of time.

Check back next week for a look at the second step in the program for successful parking lot management.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at our LA branch office

Since the opening of our Los Angeles branch office in June 2010, we have experienced great success in Southern California.  This is due, in large part, to the efforts of our sales and operations teams based in the City of Angels.

The office operates similarly to our corporate headquarters and the staff strives to ensure consistent standards of excellence, high-quality customer service, and competitive pricing.  We are definitely pleased with the progress so far.  Check out a small sampling of projects the branch has completed since establishing roots in The Golden State:

Completed trenching, patching, and seal coating at a national rental car facility at LAX Performed resurfacing for a leading drug-store retailer in Los Angeles Resurfacing, seal coating, pothole repair, and striping for various locations of the nation’s leading consumer electronics and entertainment retailer Patching and seal coating of various locations for the world’s leading real estate services company Patching and grinding at various locations for a national Mexican grill restaurant Patching and bollard replacement as well as handrail and block wall repair for various locations of a leading home improvement retailer Grading and paving at a local university in Riverside Patching and seal coating for a Montessori School in Valencia Patching for a golf course in Tustin Patching, crackseal, and seal coating for a local Mobile Home Community in Newport Beach Completed three separate projects for a prominent community hospital in Upland

In addition to paving, the branch has also been busy networking.  Recently, the office hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in conjunction with the Pomona Chamber of Commerce.  Guests included the mayor, city officials, and our very own CEO Alan Rose.  Those in attendance were treated to drinks, appetizers, and a tour of the office and yard.  The LA team is also active with the local chapters of BOMA and CAI.

Stay tuned for more branch updates!   And, remember, if you have one or multiple properties in Los Angeles or the surrounding area, our expertise is closer than ever before.  Call 909-620-4300.

Over time, cracks will appear in every parking lot.  Cracking is caused primarily by the effects of the sun and moisture.  The sun oxidizes asphalt pavement causing it to harden and shrink.  When this happens, the pavement breaks at its weakest point (usually along the joints).  Water seeps into the cracks and softens or weakens the sub-base.

Why should you care right now? During temperature fluctuations, common in “freeze thaw cycles” in the colder parts of the country, water that is trapped beneath the surface can widen cracks and even cause pavement heaving.  If left untreated, cracks can quickly spread to adjacent areas and worsen with heavy traffic loads.

Properly attending to cracks and treating problems in a timely manner is cost effective, because it delays more expensive restoration such as resurfacing or reconstruction.  A budget should allocate funds for crack sealing once every 2 to 3 years.

There are six basic types of cracks: (click here for images on all 6)

Reflective Fatigue or Alligator Joint/Longitudinal Block Edge Slippage

Click HERE to learn more!  Have a question on when to crack seal?  Comment below or contact one of our parking lot experts at (888) 773-ROSE.