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How Smart Property Owners Keep Customer Vehicles Safer

Looking to keep your customers (and their vehicles) safer the moment they pull into your lot?

Pavement preservation is one of the most underemphasized aspects of commercial property management. If a lot is poorly maintained it will lead to:

  • Cracked asphalt
  • Vehicle damage claims
  • Slip and fall accidents

Here’s the problem:

The vast majority of property owners don’t pay any attention to their parking lot until something goes wrong. At this point, the repair bill is exorbitant and customer confidence has been damaged.

Without proper pavement preservation, your lot becomes a liability.

This article teaches you how smart property owners safeguard customer vehicles and preserve their lot.

Let’s jump in!

What you’ll discover:

  • Why Pavement Preservation Matters For Your Lot
  • The Real Cost Of Ignoring Parking Lot Damage
  • Top 5 Pavement Preservation Strategies
  • Best Parking Lot Repair Contractors In Denver

Why Pavement Preservation Matters For Your Lot

Pavement preservation is all about maintaining your asphalt before it starts to deteriorate. Consider it an oil change for your parking lot.

Why does it matter?

Parking lots are a lot more dangerous than you might think. The National Safety Council reports that one in five vehicle accidents occur in a parking lot. That is a staggering number once you stop to think about it.

And, of course, there is the damage side of things. Cracks, potholes and other uneven surfaces damage cars. AAA found that pothole damage alone cost drivers $26.5 billion in a single year with the average driver paying nearly $600 in pothole-related repairs.

Now imagine if your lot is the one causing that damage…

That’s why professional parking lot repair and maintenance is so important. Savvy property owners view pavement preservation as a long-term investment to maintain:

  • Customer vehicles: Tire punctures, bent rims, suspension damage from road defects such as cracks, potholes.
  • Pedestrian safety: Including slips, trips and falls on broken pavement, faded striping, or other hidden hazards.
  • Their bottom line: A clean lot is a lot less expensive than repaving (or a lawsuit).

Pretty important, right?

The Real Cost Of Ignoring Parking Lot Damage

Most property owners think a few cracks are no big deal. The truth?

Small cracks turn into big problems fast.

Water gets into a crack and expands and contracts with the weather. The asphalt breaks apart and potholes form. The damage progresses rapidly once a pothole appears.

Here’s what’s at stake:

  • Vehicle damage claims: Customers (and do) submit claims for pothole-caused damage on your property.
  • Pedestrian injuries: Industry data shows that over 500 people die each year in parking lots and garages.
  • Lost business: A cracked faded lot yells “we don’t care” to customers before they step foot in the door.
  • Higher repair costs: Letting damage build up is the most expensive option.

The smart investment is made early. Spend a little on pavement preservation now, and you’ll save later.

Top 5 Pavement Preservation Strategies

Alright now to the tactics. Below are the 5 best pavement preservation strategies smart property owners employ to keep their lots safe and protect customer vehicles.

Sealcoating

Sealcoating is the foundation of any good pavement preservation plan.

Here’s how it works: A thin layer of coal tar or asphalt-based sealer is applied over your entire lot. This will protect your asphalt from UV rays, water, oil and chemicals.

Why does this matter?

Sun and water are the asphalt’s two biggest enemies. Without a sealcoat, your lot ages 2-3x faster than it should.

A quality sealcoat should last 2-3 years. It is also one of the least expensive preservation options available.

Crack Filling

Cracks are the earliest indicator that your lot needs some care. Disregard them and you are asking for disaster.

Crack filling is what it says on the tin. It’s a hot rubberised filler that gets pushed into the crack. This prevents water from entering the asphalt and breaking it up from the inside.

The key is acting fast.

A hairline crack can be repaired inexpensively. But if it widens or becomes a pothole, that repair job will be costly.

Pothole Repair

Potholes are the worst nightmare for any property owner.

They damage cars, injure pedestrians, and make your property look unsightly. And worse, they only grow larger as time passes.

The quickest way to fix a pothole is full-depth repair. This requires cutting out the affected area and replacing it with new asphalt. It’s the most expensive option, but also the only permanent solution.

Never attempt to fill potholes with cold-mix asphalt from a home improvement store. It is a short-term solution at best, and usually it makes the problem worse.

Restriping & Pavement Markings

Faded lines and unclear markings cause confusion. Confusion causes accidents.

According to the NSC, 9% of pedestrian deaths in parking lots involve backing up. Lines, arrows, and crosswalks provide drivers with clear guidance on where to drive.

Restriping is also one of the least expensive things you can do. A fresh coat of paint makes your lot look a lot better and safer immediately.

Make sure to restripe:

  • Parking spaces
  • Fire lanes
  • Crosswalks
  • Handicap zones
  • Directional arrows

Drainage Repair

Water is the #1 destroyer of asphalt.

Poor drainage causes water to pool on your lot. The water finds its way into the cracks, where it rots the asphalt from the inside out.

Smart property owners check their drainage every spring and fall. Look for:

  • Standing water 24+ hours after rain
  • Pooling near drains
  • Soft spots in the asphalt

Should you see any of these, it’s time to call a professional. Drainage problems never improve on their own.

Best Parking Lot Repair Contractors In Denver

Looking for a great contractor in Denver? Here are the top 3 to consider:

  1. Asphalt Coatings Company — Denver’s #1 choice for commercial properties. Specialise in commercial parking lot work only. Have heard excellent things about the quality of their results. (Do not do residential jobs.)
  2. Mountain States Asphalt — Very good for general asphalt and small/medium repairs.
  3. Denver Paving Pros — Quick turn on smaller projects and basic crack filling.

If you want quality commercial pavement preservation, Asphalt Coatings Company is the clear winner.

Final Thoughts

Pavement preservation is not a luxury for smart property owners. It is the most effective way to protect customer vehicles and keep your property looking great.

To recap:

  • Sealcoat every 2-3 years
  • Fill cracks before they spread
  • Fix potholes the right way
  • Restripe to prevent confusion
  • Keep drainage flowing

A properly maintained lot saves you money, protects your customers, and keeps your property looking like a place to visit. Don’t wait, pay now or pay later.