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7 Signs Your Ottawa Parking Lot Needs Attention

Ottawa is a fantastic place to run a business, with over 900,000 residents to attract and plenty of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and fantastic food and drink to enjoy in your downtime. However, it’s also a place where your parking lot needs to make a good impression. This article explains seven common issues with Ottawa parking lots, so you know exactly what to look out for and can take speedy, decisive action to protect your assets and business reputation.

1. Alligator Cracks

There are a few different types of parking lot cracks, but alligator cracks are one of the most common. Alligator cracks, as the name implies, look like the scaly skin of an alligator, and happen when the base of the pavement has been compromised. They can often happen when the pavement has been forced to withstand vehicles that are too heavy, or when the sub-base has not been prepared properly. Left alone, they can cause permanent damage and develop into potholes.

In their early stages, alligator cracks can be completely fixed with EverLine’s asphalt crack-filling service, which involves us using premium crack-filling material to create an edge-to-edge bond, creating a repair that’s durable and watertight.

2. Block Cracking

Block cracks are also a common issue affecting Ottawa parking lots. It’s common in areas that experience a lot of temperature changes, and this region has very cold winters and mild summers. They can also occur because the asphalt has aged and become brittle over time, or due to general wear and tear. They’re called block cracks due to their shape and can be really unsightly in a business parking lot. You should consider investing in EverLine’s asphalt crack-filling service, as well as our asphalt sealcoating service to protect your pavement from future weather damage.

3. Pavement Oxidization

You should also keep an eye out for signs that your pavement is beginning to oxidize. Essentially, the strength and flexibility of your asphalt come from the binding agents, but those binding agents can be worn away by the warm summer sun, cold Canadian winters, oil leaks, wind, and chemicals. The first sign of oxidization is that the shade of your asphalt begins to change from pure black to a lighter black, eventually turning into a faded black-gray color. Oxidization cannot be reversed, and can sometimes lead to needing a whole area resurfaced, so it’s important to get your asphalt sealcoated regularly to prevent it from occurring. Our speedy sealcoating service extends the life of your pavement.

4. Cracked Or Crumbling Edges

It’s easy to notice cracks and holes in the middle of your parking lot, but it’s harder to notice cracked and crumbling edges. Walk around the perimeter of your property and look at the asphalt at the edges, and examine your curbs and the asphalt around the entrance to your lot. If you notice that the asphalt is cracked, crumbling, or otherwise damaged, it’s time to act before the asphalt makes a bad impression or causes injury to a customer.

With EverLine’s asphalt repair or asphalt crack filling services you can make your pavement as good as new, while our asphalt sealcoating service will protect it for the future.

5. Potholes

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for potholes in your parking lot. Potholes ensure that your business will make a bad impression, and can cause damage to cars and injury to pedestrians, landing you with legal fees. Examine the whole of your parking lot for potholes. You should be able to see them easily. If you can’t see any, wait for rain and see where water gathers, as this indicates a hole or sunken area.

EverLine’s speedy infrared asphalt repair service can fix potholes quickly and easily before they get worse. Our eco-friendly method involves heating old asphalt so it behaves like it’s new for a cost-effective, low-resource fix.

6. Faded Lines And Stripes

Do your parking lot lines look faded and worn? You should take some time to look closely at the lines in your parking lot from the point of view of a driver and see if you can see them clearly. If you can’t, it’s time to restripe. Faded lines can be extremely confusing for a driver, and also make it look like you don’t care about your customers. It can also be annoying for disabled drivers if the signs for accessible parking have worn away. We use only the best products and techniques for line striping to ensure crisp, clear lines that last for a long time and can create custom lines and designs for every business need.

7. Confusion And Accidents

As well as visible signs of damage, you should also keep an eye on customer feedback and any accidents that happen on your property. Is your parking lot easy to navigate, or do customers seem lost and confused? What causes accidents in your parking lot? By looking at it from the customers’ point of view, you can find a solution. Perhaps better signage to show off a cycle lane, walkway, or accessible parking would be good, or vibrant bollard covers to prevent accidents. You might want custom arrows on the ground to keep traffic flowing, or to display the speed limit more prominently. Whatever the case, EverLine Ottawa can help.

When you notice one of these common problems, it’s important to take action quickly before the issue develops. EverLine Ottawa can help you bring your lot up to the standards of this great city, and we have a deep knowledge of the best techniques and products to use. Whether you want to find out more about our asphalt repair service, get some faded lines repainted, or fix your cracks before they become potholes, we can help. Get in touch with us today to discuss your needs.