Start Now to Prepare Your Garage for Winter
Whether we want to admit it or not, the winter season is rapidly approaching. Soon many regions of the country will be facing the weather extremes that come with this seasonal shift, specifically cold weather and moisture. If you own a parking facility you know how these weather extremes, combined with snow and ice, impact your parking facilities.
Parking facilities are unique structures since they are directly exposed to the elements. Standing water, snow and ice, salt, and even impacts from snow removal equipment are extremely damaging to both the concrete that makes up most parking facilities, as well as any exposed metal components like rebar. For that reason, it is so important to make sure your parking facility is properly maintained and in the best condition possible to face the winter months.
A few tips to ensure that your garage is ready:
Schedule a daily walk through of your parking facility to make sure there is no standing water in the garage. Not only will it potentially erode the concrete surfaces, but if it freezes it can become a safety hazard for pedestrians and drivers.
Identify any weak areas in the concrete surfaces, including cracking or spalling. The freeze-thaw cycle, combined with moisture elements, can cause further damage while increasing the costs of repairs down the road.
Repair and cover any exposed metal components including rebar. Not only can this become unsightly, but allowing them to be exposed to the elements will further corrode these pieces and can impact the structural integrity of the garage.
Identify any potential areas of water leakage including holes in brick, weakened sealants, and cracks in the surfaces. Water leakage can significantly damage the concrete surfaces and other structural elements within the garage.
Consider resealing your parking surfaces to further protect them from the elements.
Never pile snow on your garage roofs. Snow is much heavier than it looks, and piling it in one place can cause a significant amount of stress on the impacted area of the structure.
Plan for regular garage cleaning, even if it’s just sweeping or washdowns. Vehicles often bring salt from roadways into your garage, which can be very damaging to the concrete.
At Restocon, our goal is to ensure that your parking facilities provide the most pleasant, safe, and comfortable experiences for your patrons. Contact us to learn more about how to winterize your parking facility.