Tips For Protecting Your Asphalt Parking Lot During The Winter Months
If you have a business with a large asphalt parking lot, then you may be preparing for winter by hiring a snow removal company. Snow removal is often completed with the use of plows, but plows can cause some damage that is quite evident during the spring and summer months. So, what can you do to prevent damage from occurring?
Ask About The Plows
Some snow removal businesses will not have the right equipment when it comes to keeping asphalt surfaces in good condition. So, you want to make sure that the business you hire has the right tools to keep damage from occurring. The plows used for snow removal should have blades covered with polyurethane edges to prevent the scraping of the asphalt surface. The blades should be new, flexible, and free of any obvious damage, so ask about how often they are replaced.
Also, the snow removal expert should be willing to raise the plow blade about one-half inch so it does not directly touch the parking lot. This height may not allow for the removal of ice from the asphalt. To assist with ice removal, speak with the service about spreading an asphalt safe product to remove the ice. Both calcium and magnesium chloride products are a good option to maintain asphalt.
Keep in mind that some ice melt products may be more expensive than other. However, if you can find a plowing company that uses them, they will prevent water from freezing and expanding in the cracks of your parking lot.
Put Up Markers
Curb damage and issues across elevated surfaces like speed bumps are a concern when it comes to removing snow from parking lots. If you want to protect these areas, then it is wise to add markers around the lot to help with the identification of spaces that can be easily damaged.
Tall reflective markers are a good choice around curbs and edges of the parking lot. And, if you are unable to place the markers in the ground, then you should look for ones that are sold with weighted bases.
Cones are a good option as well if you want a highly visible marker, and you can also secure reflective pavement markers across the asphalt surface.
There are some reflective tapes that can be adhered around the edge of your parking lot as well. Keep in mind that these tapes are often temporary though, so they may need to be replaced during the winter months. Contact a parking lot maintenance service for more help.
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