What is proper maintenance for a multistory car park?

Parking deck, lot, and garage maintenance involves a variety of different tasks intended to improve appearance and increased longevity of the entire structure. The process differs depending on the material, how protected the parking deck is, and other factors like weather conditions and setting. For example, a parking deck for industrial site employees may not need as many aesthetic-based treatments as one outside an upscale shopping mall. Still, as a property owner or manager of this type of site, you need to follow a regular maintenance schedule regardless of those variables.

Why does parking deck maintenance matter?

Besides the aforementioned appearance issues, any parking lot or garage has to deal with a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis. This comes not only from car and truck tires but also foot traffic and weather. Every vehicle that drives onto the lot or parks in a spot for any length of time can cause surface problems, stains, and stress on the structure itself. People walking to and from the building may drop debris or liquids that can stain the surface. Rain, storms, ice, and snow also wreak havoc on a concrete slab or structure.

If the contractor who constructed your parking deck or worked on one of your structures in the past gave you any type of warranty or guarantee, first investigate what services you can get from them for maintenance or repairs. Also, look for any tips or specific schedule for tasks and inspections. The closer you follow a recommended plan specifically designed for your site, the better the outcome will be. If your original contractor has failed you, it’s time to switch to an experienced contractor like T.G. Basile.

Proper Maintenance Services

Debris Removal and Sweeping

Everything from fallen leaves to left behind trash affects the appearance of your parking deck. Even if the wind pushes it away, debris can build up on the edges, against curbs, and in pathways and ruin the overall look of your property. Have employees do a quick cleanup every morning and evening to throw out the garbage and remove things like fallen branches. Hire a company who specializes in parking lot maintenance to sweep clean all debris monthly. This will help expose underlying problems that may have been covered or overlooked.

However, if there are places where this seems to happen excessively or on the inside portions of the garage, you may have a problem. The issue has gone too far if you see exposed rebar, rusted metal or rust stains, or white efflorescence on the concrete itself.

Stain Removal

A variety of different fluids can drip out of cars and trucks which create stains to parking deck surfaces. These not only make things look worse but can also contribute to safety issues and repair needs over time. For example, an oil leak may make the surface slick and increase the risk of injury. Corrosive fluids can contribute to speeding up the rate of concrete or asphalt deterioration. Specialty services are available for cleaning and maintenance of these corrosive fluids that utilize mild and eco-friendly solutions in conjunction with pressure washing.

Seal Coating and Waterproofing / Traffic Coatings

While the previous two maintenance tasks mostly focus on appearance, seal coating and waterproofing/traffic coatings directly affect how long your concrete or other surface will last. No matter what type of coating you have originally applied to the deck, it will wear off over time and become less effective. Performing yearly inspections and tending to your findings will help prolong the life of any coating and prevent minor problems from turning into something irreversible which, in most cases, means full replacement and a hefty price-tag.

Crack Filling (Route & Seal) and Chipped / Spalling Concrete

Prior to seal coating or installing/replacing traffic coatings, inspect the entire parking structure to identify cracks, chipping, or spalling concrete. Water, debris, corrosive fluids, etc., will infiltrate the slab at these weak points causing additional damage over time.

The level of repair work necessary will always vary and is best outlined in a formal inspection by an industry professional.

Line Striping

Even the most well-maintained parking garage will do little to serve its purpose without clearly delineated parking spaces and traffic flow patterns. After necessary maintenance or replacement is performed, re-stripe parking stall spaces, crosswalk areas, symbols for handicapped parking, and any other necessary lines and icons to keep things organized and safe. This is a great way to maintain proper traffic flow and reduce the risk of accidents.

Regular Inspections

One of the most important maintenance tasks for your parking structure is a regularly scheduled inspection. A visual in-house inspection when the structure is not in use should take place at least once per month (standard property management practice). Performing an industry-professional inspection once or twice a year will help prolong the life of any parking structure and catch a minor problem before it gets worse. A “worse problem” translates to downtime and cost.

Regular maintenance will cost less, help preserve the structure and allow the entire structure to remain open and serve its purpose.

Consult with T.G. Basile about your parking structure maintenance needs. We are here to help repair, restore, strengthen and protect any and all parking structures.