Safety and Best Practices for Parking Lot Repair

If you own or manage a commercial space, you understand the importance of maintaining a safe, functional parking lot. However, concrete repair and replacement are often overlooked, leading to cracked, crumbling concrete that poses a safety risk. Additionally, unsightly defects impact your business’s functionality and reputation. 

The team at K&E Flatwork provides comprehensive concrete repair services for your commercial property. This post covers essential tips and best practices for parking lot repairs.

Why Concrete Parking Lots Require Repairs

Deteriorating concrete poses a risk to employees and customers. By making timely repairs, you can increase the useful life of your current hardscapes. Generally, replacing your parking lot costs much more than keeping it in good condition with regular maintenance. 

The most common signs of parking lot damage include:

• Corrosion: If the concrete in your lot has reinforcing bars (rebar), it may show signs of corrosion. Carbon dioxide and carbon chloride corrode rebar and may damage the surrounding concrete.
• Chemical reactions: Concrete undergoes various chemical changes depending on the aggregates used. For example, alkaline cement and water combine to form a gel that oozes under your lot, causing cracks.
• Extreme weather: Concrete can break down under the alternating pressures of cold and hot weather. Using the right admixture can minimize cracks and damage. 

K&E Flatwork can repair or replace your concrete parking lot. We will work closely with you to determine the best long-term solution.

Selecting an Experienced Parking Lot Repair Service

Select a reputable contractor to perform your parking lot repairs. This involves hiring a local provider with an excellent reputation and a track record of using top-notch materials.

K&E Flatwork understands the traffic patterns and climate considerations throughout our service area. We can guide you through typical parking lot hazards you must address. More importantly, you can count on us for fair estimates and excellent craftsmanship in every project we complete.

Safety Considerations

Hiring a professional parking lot repair company can help ensure a safe construction site. The company will inspect the lot for cracks, spalling, and corrosion that can cause vehicle damage and trip and fall risks. 

Following the inspection, you’ll receive a report enumerating uneven surfaces, potholes, and drainage issues that can lead to further damage.

After finishing urgent parking lot repair projects, it’s time to set up a maintenance plan. This plan should include materials, timelines, protocols, and other details needed to keep your parking lot in good condition. Our team will pull any necessary permits to complete the job and ensure that the project plan takes local laws and best practices into account.

Clear signage and barriers should direct traffic around the parking lot repair area. Additionally, our technicians wear protective gear to ensure a safe worksite further. 

Common Causes of Parking Lot Damage (and How to Avoid Them)

Cracks, potholes, and drainage problems are parking lot repairs’ three most prevalent causes. Fortunately, regular maintenance and repairs can minimize their impact.

Cracks

Water infiltration, sunlight exposure, and heavy traffic are just a few of the elements impacting the condition of your concrete parking lot. Freezing and thawing cycles also take their toll. Proper initial construction and repairs can reduce the impact of long-term wear and tear.

You can use crack fillers for spider cracks and seal your concrete regularly to prevent them from becoming more profound. The filler will keep snow, debris, and rain from accumulating and leaving behind wide cracks.

Potholes

As concrete ages, potholes form due to wear and tear and poor maintenance. These defects threaten vehicles and pedestrians alike. Here are the main factors indicating the size and frequency of pothole formation:

• Poor drainage
• Poor construction
• Structural weaknesses
• Freezing/warming cycles

When minor defects are repaired, large potholes can be prevented. Our team will fill them with concrete patches, leaving an even, safe surface.

Drainage Problems

Why is proper drainage one of the most critical aspects of your parking lot system? Adequate drainage moves water away from your hardtop. Pooling, running, and standing water are signs of poor drainage.

If you have a large section with drainage problems, parking lot repairs might include grading the lot and installing a catch basin. In other instances, removing debris and sealing the area may suffice.

Schedule an inspection with one of our parking lot experts to determine the best treatment for your hardscapes.

Understanding the Parking Lot Repair Process

As part of our best practices, we schedule parking lot repairs after hours. Here are the high-level stages of a typical repair job:

• Inspection: One of our experts will inspect your parking lot to determine whether parking lot repair or replacement is the best option.
• Surface Preparation: Professional pacers will prepare the surface once you approve the proposal. This may involve cleaning the concrete, removing loose debris, and preparing the parking lot for the next stage.
• Parking Lot Repairs: Crack sealing and filling work well for cracks and minor defects. For large potholes or extensive damage, overlays or resurfacing will give you lasting results. 
• Curing Time: This depends on the materials used and other factors, such as the weather. We’ll give you the most accurate estimate possible. Proper curing is one factor impacting the strength of your concrete parking lot.
• Scheduling: Weekends, evenings, and other times you experience low-volume traffic are ideal for conducting parking lot repairs. We’ll work with you to choose the best time for your business, tenants, clients, and employees.

Need Parking Lot Repairs? Contact Us Today

Making parking lot repairs can save you a lot of money down the road. Replacing your concrete parking lot is much more expensive. Contact us today to learn more about how we prioritize safety and best practices to give you the results you deserve!