While it’s said a tiger can’t change its stripes, parking lots are a different matter, altogether.
Not only can your company’s parking lot markings be modified, but they should be regularly maintained to ensure your property is easily navigable. In fact, whether your business is a small startup or a corporate behemoth, parking lot striping can go a long way in broadcasting a new outlook to prospective clientele. Crisp, clean markings can delineate which spots are restricted or designated for special needs, while providing directional assistance to first time visitors.
If parking lot striping is on your to-do list, consider the following five tips to make the process stress- and hassle-free
- Measure first, paint once. You’d be surprised how many do-it-yourselfers get halfway through a job before realizing there’s no more paint. As with any improvement project, the old adage of “measure first” is as black and white as your parking lot will ultimately be. Take your time. Be precise. Or hire a professional paving company to do the legwork for you.
- Clean up your act. Prior to applying any paint, your parking lot should be cleared of all dirt, leaves, and assorted debris. An electric or gas-powered leaf blower can prove invaluable, ruling out the need to sweep the surface by hand.
- Go back to a blank slate. Take special care to fill all cracks in your current lot with rubberized crack filler, ensuring that they are impervious to water, which can cause asphalt decay. A subsequent treatment of sealcoating will not only protect your lot from the elements, but will provide a clean, black backdrop for those new white or yellow lines.
- Purchase high-quality traffic paint. Two varieties are available – oil-based and water-based. Water-based paints tend not to operate as well in colder climates. Several municipalities have also issued regulations in regards to usage, so you may want to check in advance that the paint you select is compliant with the law.
- Opt for a parking lot striper. Depending on the size of your lot, you could paint by hand using a 4-inch roller, a stencil kit, and a chalk outline as a guide, but that is strenuous, tedious work. Line striping machines are readily available on the market, varying in price and ease of mastery.
A few white lines on blacktop may seem trivial, but don’t underestimate their value. Your parking lot says volumes about your business. There are several options when it comes to parking lot striping, but hiring a professional paver can save you time, money, and hours of labor. Pro-Pave, Inc. serves properties throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Call us today at (703) 433-9500.
