5 Steps to Prepare for Parking Lot Striping

 5 Steps to Prepare for Parking Lot Striping Grand Rapids Asphalt Paving

To prepare for parking lot striping you’ll want to make sure cracks and holes are filled, a backup parking lot has been established, dirt and debris are swept away, sprinkler systems are turned off, and an expert is on the job.

When the snow melts, you may be left with faded line markings.

Not only do faded parking lot stripes suggest neglect, but they also affect the safety of your parking lot for you, your employees, and your clients.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why Safety Matters

As a property owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure loading areas and fire lanes are clearly marked. Parking spaces also need to be clearly outlined to prevent door dings and to maximize traffic flow.

Improper spaces, a lack of directional arrows, and poorly mapped driving paths can all be things that discourage people from coming to your place of business. 

1. Check for Cracks and Potholes

To ensure the best line striping, you’ll need to fill asphalt potholes and cracks. 

Filling cracks is important because it helps you maintain crisp, distinct lines.

Cracks and potholes can also weaken your parking lot and cause the damage to spread. While your parking lot lines may look fine now, they could be affected by cracks and potholes in the future.

We also recommend you have driveway sealcoating applied to the surface of parking lots to prevent damage from UV rays, rain, snow, and automobile fluids. 

2. Arrange for Parking at Another Location

The day the asphalt contractor comes to paint your parking lot lines, you’ll need to arrange for parking elsewhere. Make sure you alert your employees, clients, or tenants to the change in parking ahead of time as all vehicles will need to be removed from the lot before striping can begin. 

Signs should also be put up to direct pedestrians to your building so they don’t accidentally walk over wet parking lines and road markings.

The parking lot paint will need to dry for about an hour before people can park in the lot too. A temporary lot is usually only needed for 1 day, but it’s good to give the heads-up to everyone at least one week in advance. 

Learn More: How to Close Your Parking Lot >>

3. Sweep Away Dirt and Other Debris

It’s not uncommon for parking lots to be filled with dirt, rocks, gravel, or even trash—especially after the snow melts. To get your pavement ready for parking lot striping, you might need to have it professionally cleaned. 

Dirt and debris may be something you feel comfortable handling, but things like oil residues and waste runoffs are a lot harder to clean. If you’re unsure whether a professional sweeping is necessary, we recommend consulting with an asphalt paving company like A-1 Asphalt Inc.

Before any paint is applied, we’ll make sure your asphalt surface is properly swept and power washed so that your lines have the best surface to stick to.

4. Turn Off Sprinkler System

Before asphalt paint can be applied to your parking lot, you’ll need to make sure it’s completely dry. If you have a sprinkler system on your commercial property, make sure you turn it off. We recommend turning off your sprinkler system 12 hours before a professional comes through to paint parking spaces and traffic lines.

If your parking lot is shaded by trees or if the line painting is scheduled for a cool day, you’ll want to adjust this time frame to 24 hours. Any water on your asphalt pavement needs to fully evaporate before we can begin. Otherwise, it could affect the paint while it dries. 

5. Hire an Experienced Asphalt Contractor

An experienced paving contractor will be able to work more efficiently so you can get your parking lot operational as soon as possible. They should also advise you on what needs to be done before they can begin line marking. 

Make sure your contractor has experience with parking lots so you can expect the best results for your money. You can count on a professional to have the right equipment for the job, such as a parking lot striping machine and proper cleaning equipment. 

Request a Free Estimate With Us

As an asphalt parking lot contractor, we’re dedicated to helping you maintain the appearance and function of your commercial parking lots through quality asphalt paving services.

If you are interested in parking lot striping and stenciling, feel free to contact us online or give us a call at (800) 871-4401.

This blog post has been updated.