A commercial parking lot is the first impression of the business. It is also, unfortunately, the first source of risk for employees and customers. A poorly maintained parking area can be a source of liability in many ways – from a simple twisted ankle to a vehicle collision.
As a property manager, you can reduce the risk of parking lot accidents through regular maintenance. By choosing the right maintenance partner, you can protect both property owners and tenants from unnecessary liability.
Why invest in parking lot maintenance? Reduced liability.
Improperly maintained parking lots expose both property owners and tenants to significant legal risk. Slip-and-fall cases, for example, are notoriously costly – often resulting in settlements between $10,000 and $50,000. These incidents don’t just hit the wallet, but they also generate negative publicity that hurts a company’s reputation.
According to lawyers at Forbes, property owners and tenants can be held responsible for accidents on the property in certain circumstances. These include being aware of the hazard and failing to either correct the issue or provide adequate warning.
Regular parking lot maintenance can help reduce the risk of liability in two ways. First, a maintenance provider can identify issues that the owner or tenant hadn’t noticed, so they have warning to correct the issue before it becomes a major problem. Second, regular cleaning and maintenance removes common hazards before they cause accidents.
Regular Sweeping and Pressure Washing Remove Common Slipping Hazards
Parking lots accumulate litter from visitors as well as environmental debris like dirt and leaves. These may seem like minor issues, but the right circumstances can make them dangerous. For example, a candy wrapper is slick underfoot and a pile of leaves can hide a pothole or large crack in the asphalt. Regular sweeping removes this debris to keep surfaces clearly visible and reduce the risk of falls.
Sweeping is extremely effective in removing litter and loose debris, but it doesn’t address contaminants that are stuck to hard surfaces. Some of the most common examples are car fluids, pollen, mold, and mildew – all of which create slippery surfaces. Professional pressure washing is the most effective method for removing these slick patches and reducing the risk of slips.
Restriping and Signage Painting Help Keep Cars in Their Lane
Clear pavement markings are essential to keep a parking lot functioning smoothly. However, these lines fade over time, leading to confusion and an increased risk of accidents. Professional restriping restores the visibility of these lines, making it simple for drivers to understand where to park, where to drive, and how to navigate the lot safely.
Like parking lot lines, crosswalks are a critical feature that guide pedestrians and alert drivers to safe zones. Repainting these lines – and any associated signage – promotes a smooth flow of traffic that keeps pedestrians safe.
Similarly, repainting bollards and curbs helps drivers avoid these areas. This works to further promote pedestrian safety as well as protecting vulnerable areas from vehicles.
Tire Stops Help Prevent Accidents and Property Damage
Like bollards, wheel stops help to keep vehicles a safe distance away from dangerous areas. They can be used to protect light poles, pedestrian crossings, and accessible areas from cars. Further, these seemingly simple structures help visitors safely park their cars so that their rear bumpers are within the assigned space rather than impeding driving lanes.
Tire stops are most effective when they are painted to stand out against the rest of the parking area. A bright, reflective paint can differentiate these safety features from the rest of the lot, helping to reduce tripping hazards and make them visible in adverse weather conditions.
Concrete and Asphalt Repair Reduce Tripping Hazards and Collisions
Cracks and potholes lead to a shorter lifespan for hard surfaces and increase the risk of safety incidents. Pedestrians can trip over uneven surfaces and drivers often swerve to avoid damage to their vehicle. Both of these risks can be minimized through a partnership with a commercial maintenance company that specializes in concrete and asphalt.
A reliable partner will regularly inspect hard surfaces to identify minor issues before they become significant hazards. Addressing these issues as they arise keeps costs manageable while also preventing a dangerous situation from escalating.
The risks of an unkempt parking lot are clear, but scheduling specialists for each aspect of maintenance can be a time-consuming endeavor – especially across a portfolio of multiple properties. Fortunately, a comprehensive maintenance solution from the right partner incorporates all these maintenance tasks to promote safety with a single relationship.
Keep Parking Areas Clean and Reduce Risk with Terra CPS
At Terra Commercial Property Services, our team has the tools and expertise to keep parking areas functional. We have specialized teams that handle regular sweeping and pressure washing to remove slipping hazards, working to reduce the risk of accidents.
Our concrete teams also inspect properties, recommend maintenance, and complete repairs as needed to preserve hard surfaces. Further, our painting and restriping teams can ensure that painted surfaces – including curbs, bollards, and lines – remain visible for drivers.
To learn more about our parking lot and parking deck services, contact a member of our team today.