Let’s face it, asphalt isn’t at the top of most business owners’ minds. But like it or not, a parking lot contributes to your curb appeal and overall customer experience. Many business owners put off parking lot repaving or repairs because they don’t want to inconvenience their customers or tenants with a closed parking lot. But it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach.
A phased parking lot rehabilitation segments the lot into zones. These zones can be serviced at different times, so part of your parking lot is always accessible to keep traffic flowing smoothly throughout the project. We break down how to plan a seamless phased asphalt paving plan below.
Select Your Paving Service
Before moving into the planning stages, you first need to decide what paving services your parking lot needs. It’s best to have an asphalt expert assess this. During an evaluation, they’ll look at cracks, potholes, uneven sections, and more.
If your pavement is in pretty good shape with just a few blemishes, they may recommend crack sealing. If your parking lot has some wear and tear and a few potholes, an asphalt overlay may be the right fit. And if your pavement is beyond the maintenance stage, they may recommend a full replacement.
Create a Phased Zone Map
Now that you know exactly what type of service you’re getting (and how long it will take), it’s time to break down your parking lot into zones. You can customize these zones however you’d like. You can go row by row, or split your lot into four quadrants. If you have multiple entrances, you may build your zones around those so there’s always an entry/exit. If you only have one entrance, you can create a traffic lane to snake around your lot.
As you and your asphalt expert configure your map together, keep these factors in mind:
- Always have an accessible parking space available. If your ADA spots are in a zone being worked on, draw out a temporary one (or more, depending on your lot) with signage.
- Maintain a fire lane. If a fire were to erupt in your building, firetrucks need to be able to access the site. They also need to access fire hydrants. Phased planning ensures that your whole parking lot is never out of commission in an emergency.
- Keep pedestrian walkways well-marked. You don’t want a customer, employee, or tenant to accidentally step on soft asphalt. Make sure you’ve clearly marked where you’re working, and where you want them to walk.
Choose Your Timing
Depending on the scope of your project and the size of your lot, each zone may take one or multiple days. Decide if you want to complete the zones one after another, or if you want to spread it out over a month (e.g., Mondays and Tuesdays in September are “pavement days.”)
Also speak with your asphalt company to see if they offer after-hours or weekend paving services. If your building is only used until 5 p.m., consider having some of the work completed in the evening. This can be especially helpful if you only have one entrance and want to limit the amount of time it is closed.
Distribute Your Plan Ahead of Time
Once you have your map and timeline figured out, share your plans with your employees or tenants. Try to make the announcement as clear as possible, with a visual graphic, so they know exactly where to park on the appropriate days.
Also create some signage in your parking lot to direct customers who are unfamiliar with the plan ahead of time.
Don’t Put Off Your Paving Project
It’s easy to rationalize putting your asphalt paving project off for another year. But these delays may end up costing you thousands of dollars in the long run. Regular maintenance on parking lots can extend their lifespan by years, saving you the cost of a full replacement.
With a phased parking lot rehabilitation, you can keep your lot safe, smooth, and functional. To see what a phased paving project could look for your specific lot, contact our experienced team at Asphalt Doctors today.