The appearance of a parking lot is much like the curb appeal of the house. The lot, along with the storefront, is the first thing that customers see of a store. Everybody knows that first impressions are important, and this extends to parking lots. A beautiful parking lot is also important to the safety and comfort of customers. As a result of all of this, business owners should consider how to improve your parking lot. Read on to learn our top tips on how to improve your parking lot.

  1. Seal The Asphalt

The asphalt sealing process is something we’ve written about a few times, because it is the best way to extend the life of asphalt. Obviously, a commercial parking lot cannot just be closed for a few days, like a residential driveway can. Sealing a commercial parking lot requires planning. The lot is divided into significant chunks, and sealed piece by piece. This small inconvenience prevents business owners from having to shut down the lot entirely. For a commercial lot, which experiences heavier use than a residential driveway, sealing should be done every one or two years. To make the contractors’ lives easier, put up a courtesy sign notifying customers of the project about a week in advance. Customers appreciate the advanced warning, and contractors won’t have to deal with irate people who want to park in a specific section.

  1. Repair Cracks And Potholes

Cracks and potholes ruin the aesthetic of a parking lot, but they also pose a potential safety hazard to guests. If they are allowed to grow, both of these small hurdles can lead to big problems. There is the potential for it to damage customer cars. Additionally, someone may get hurt if they are distracted and step into a pothole or crack. The repair process is relatively painless and inexpensive, especially compared to a potential lawsuit or insurance issue.

  1. Establish A Regular Cleaning Schedule.

Asphalt that is left constantly dirty is not just an eyesore, it will be prone to soft spots and crack easily. The easiest way to improve the parking lot is clean is to simply sweep it clean. This will remove any dirt, twigs, or debris that are cluttering the space up. If it is left to build up, debris can trap water against the asphalt, as well as adding weight to otherwise unused areas. Both water and extra weight are two damaging factors to asphalt.

In addition to sweeping, do regular checks for oil or other auto fluid stains. Sand or kitty litter can be used to absorb fresh stains, but it is unlikely that you will catch it that early. Create a solution with an environmentally safe cleaner that cuts grease and water. Use that solution and scrub at the stains until they are lifted. This limits the negative environmental impact of your parking lot, improves your parking lot aesthetic, and protects asphalt from damage.