Winter Parking Lot Maintenance: A Complete Guide

How To Keep Your Parking Lot Functional During The Winter Months

Winter weather can be harsh on asphalt pavements. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can lead to cracks, potholes, and hazardous conditions for vehicles and pedestrians. Proactive winter parking lot maintenance is essential to protect your investment, ensure safety, and keep your business operating smoothly throughout the colder months. This guide outlines key steps to prepare your parking lot for winter and maintain its functionality despite the challenges of snow and ice.

At NYS Enterprises we recommend taking the following steps to prepare for winter:

Why Winter Parking Lot Maintenance Matters

Investing in winter parking lot maintenance provides numerous benefits:

• Safety: Prevents accidents and injuries caused by slippery surfaces, snow buildup, and potholes.
• Accessibility: Ensures your parking lot remains accessible to customers and employees, even during snowstorms.
• Protects Asphalt: Minimizes damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles, snow removal, and de-icing agents.
• Reduces Liability: Helps prevent slip-and-fall accidents and potential lawsuits.
• Maintains Business Operations: Ensures your business remains open and accessible to customers throughout the winter.

Preparing Your Parking Lot for Winter

Before the first snowflakes fall, take these proactive steps to prepare your parking lot:

1. Comprehensive Inspection:

• Identify Existing Damage: Thoroughly inspect the parking lot for cracks, potholes, drainage issues, and any other damage.
• Schedule Repairs: Address any necessary repairs before winter arrives, as asphalt repairs are best done in warmer temperatures.

2. Develop a Winter Maintenance Plan:

• Snow Removal: Determine how you will handle snow removal, whether through in-house staff or by contracting with a professional snow removal service.
• De-icing: Choose appropriate de-icing agents and application methods to minimize damage to your asphalt.
• Emergency Response: Have a plan in place for handling unexpected winter storms or emergencies.

3. Partner with a Reliable Contractor:

• Expertise: Choose a contractor with experience in winter parking lot maintenance.
• Equipment: Ensure they have the necessary equipment for snow removal, de-icing, and repairs.
• Availability: Confirm their availability to respond promptly to winter weather events.

5 Tips for Winter Parking Lot Maintenance

1. Seal Cracks and Potholes:

• Prevent Water Damage: Sealing cracks and potholes prevents water from seeping in and expanding during freeze-thaw cycles, causing further damage.
• Timing: Complete repairs before winter sets in, as asphalt patching is less effective in cold temperatures.

2. Snow Removal:

• Prompt Removal: Remove snow promptly after a snowfall to prevent it from compacting and becoming difficult to remove.
• Proper Techniques: Use proper snow removal techniques to avoid damaging the asphalt surface.

3. De-icing:

• Choose the Right De-icer: Select de-icing agents that are less harmful to asphalt, such as calcium chloride or potassium acetate.
• Apply Carefully: Avoid over-application of de-icers, as they can damage asphalt and contribute to environmental pollution.

4. Proper Drainage:

• Ensure Proper Function: Ensure that drains and catch basins are clear and functioning correctly to prevent water from pooling and freezing on the surface.
• Address Drainage Issues: Repair any drainage problems before winter to prevent ice buildup and potential hazards.

5. Regular Cleaning and Clearing:

• Remove Debris: Regularly remove debris, such as leaves, branches, and trash, to prevent clogging of drains and ensure proper water flow.
• Clear Snow Piles: Remove snow piles from parking lot edges to prevent melting snow from refreezing and creating icy patches.

Let NYS Enterprises Handle Your Winter Parking Lot Maintenance

Remember that regular asphalt maintenance is the key to protecting your parking lot and concrete surfaces. Our team of experts will help keep your parking lot safe and usable during the winter months; whether it’s snow removal, de-icing, or pothole repair we can handle the job.

Let NYS Enterprises take the hassle and stress out of gearing up for the winter.