This is a photo of a very well-maintained and visually enticing commercial property with excellent curb appeal.
By Alex Stephenson Curb Appeal 0 Comments

7 Ways to Improve the Curb Appeal of Your Commercial Property

Is the exterior of your commercial property leaving potential customers unimpressed? It’s time to give it a makeover! Keeping up with your building’s curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. In this blog post, we’re going to discuss some quick and simple ways that you can improve the appearance of your commercial property without breaking the bank.

Paint the Exterior of Your Building

If you own a commercial building, sprucing up its exterior can be an easy and effective way to make it look more inviting, professional, and up-to-date. A fresh coat of paint is often all that’s needed; tired old buildings can be given a new lease on life with just one afternoon and a few cans of paint.

Not only does this give passersby a better impression of the property, but it also leads to increased confidence from potential customers, clients, or tenants. When you combine great exterior looks with excellent interior service, your commercial building will become the talk of the town.

Add New Landscaping Features

If you are looking for a simple way to freshen up the look of your building, consider adding landscaping features, such as trees or shrubs. Not only can they contribute some much-needed color and character to the exterior of your building, but they can also provide a host of practical benefits like helping reduce air pollution and acting as a natural sound barrier.

Adding landscaping features is an easy and inexpensive way to instantly transform the look of your building while also providing other surprise advantages in the process.

Update Your Signage

Updating your commercial property’s signage with a professionally designed look can really bring a whole new sense of vibrancy to the space. Not only will it look great, but it can be an important marketing tool that showcases who you are and what you do in a way that resonates with potential customers.

A custom sign with an eye-catching design is sure to draw attention, making sure that no one misses out on the opportunity to find out about your business or product. Investing in the right signage now could be key for standing out from the competition for years to come.

Hang Planters Near the Entrance to Your Building

Introducing a bit of lush greenery near your doorway can be an easy and effective way to add life and beauty to the entrance of your building. A few well-placed planters, adorned with bright flowers or calming plants, are the perfect way to welcome guests.

The cheerful plants can also create a relaxing atmosphere for those who take a break from the hustle and bustle near the door, providing a peaceful space to unwind and recharge. Not only will these planters spruce up the aesthetics of your building’s entryway, but they’ll make you feel more connected to Mother Nature as you go about your day.

Replace Old Light Fixtures with Modern, Energy-Efficient Lighting

If you’re looking to maximize the visibility and curb appeal of your commercial building, you’ll want to rethink the outdated light fixtures. Installing brand-new, energy-efficient lighting to the exterior of your property is an efficient and relatively affordable way to make a huge impact.

Not only will your property stand out from the competition and attract potential customers, but you’ll also save money on utility bills with the newer lights’ improved efficiency! You won’t regret making this smart renovation for your business space.

Add Outdoor Seating Areas for Customers

As summer months approach and temperatures rise, more people are looking for ways to spend time outdoors. Offering outdoor seating areas on your property can be a great way to keep customers comfortable while they shop around or wait for an appointment. An open-air option will let them enjoy a sunny day or cool off with a breeze while they browse.

Plus, good seating not only enhances the customer’s experience, but it also provides an inviting atmosphere that encourages shoppers to stay longer and come back later! Make sure these areas have plenty of shade and sun protection so that customers can comfortably relax outside for as long as possible.

Replace, Repair, or Maintain Your Parking Lot and Sidewalks

Creating a safe and inviting environment for customers and employees should be a top priority for any business. Having a safe place to walk and park is essential to providing an experience that customers and staff enjoy. It’s worth investing in your parking lot and sidewalks to ensure they are up to safety standards and pleasant to look at.

Whether you are replacing, repairing, or maintaining your parking lot and sidewalks, there are plenty of options available that will help your facility look great while keeping everyone safe. A little bit of attention can go a long way when it comes to creating an effective and pleasant environment for your employees, customers, and visitors.

South Central Sealing & Paving offers a great selection of pavement replacement, repair, and maintenance services so that you can keep up attractive curb appeal and stand out from the competition. Not only do we specialize in providing top-quality paving services, but we are also dedicated to delivering competitive prices while treating our clients with the utmost respect and professionalism.

Don’t hesitate to contact South Central Sealing & Paving if you’re looking for reliable pavement repair and maintenance services!

pothole-filled-with-water
By Alex Stephenson Parking Lots 0 Comments

How to Address Water Ponding on Your Parking Lot

Puddles of water in the parking area of your building may appear unsightly but harmless. Still, water ponding on your parking lot may actually be indicative of problems with your asphalt or concrete paving. Note that most commercial parking lots are made from asphalt. 

Standing water is likely to shorten the life of your pavement. If there is a crack or other break, water will enter and may end up eroding and destabilizing the pavement’s base. This could result in potholes, alligator cracks, large cracks, and more, leading to expensive repairs.

What Exactly Is Water Ponding?

Water ponding refers to puddles that form in pavement depressions due to a variety of reasons, including the following.

  • Normal wear over time that causes ruts to form.
  • Trucks or heavy equipment driving or parking on your lot if it was not designed to support such loads. 
  • The asphalt not being correctly compacted when it was applied. 
  • Subsidence or shifting of the soil underneath the parking lot.
  • A drainage system inadequate to cope with the volume of rain that falls in your area. 
  • Ineffective sloping of your pavement. 
  • Neglected oil spills. As the oils dry out, the pavement begins to lose flexibility, and depressions and cracks may start to form. 
  • The wearing away of the seal coating caused by the weight of enough vehicles driving through an area of standing water.
  • An improperly set blade on a snowplow taking out a chunk of asphalt.

Water Ponding Affects Safety

Standing water in your parking lot is unwelcome for several reasons, including the following.

  • Vehicles that don’t or can’t avoid the puddles can give pedestrians an unwelcome splashing.
  • Other car owners may not appreciate the drenching their vehicles receive. 
  • Severe pavement damage concealed by ponding water may result in impairment to vehicle tires or suspension systems.
  • Pooling water can conceal cracks and potholes that could cause pedestrians to trip, sprain ankles, or suffer other injuries. 
  • Cyclists could take nasty falls or suffer damage to their bikes. 
  • During the colder months, water ponding on your parking lot can freeze, creating an icy hazard for both pedestrians and drivers. 

Click here for some advice on making your parking lot as safe as possible.

Water Ponding Is Not Aesthetically Appealing

Puddles of water make your parking lot look blotchy and unattractive and may create an unfavorable first impression of your business to potential customers and investors. If the puddles also contain mud or dirt from runoff, the standing water is even less attractive.

Why Good Parking Lot Drainage Is Important

Water is absolutely necessary for life, but water will spell the death of your parking lot if it doesn’t drain off efficiently. Over time, ponding water will inevitably cause a breakdown of the asphalt and eventually lead to the deterioration of the bonding between the binder, rocks, and sand that together make up your pavement.

Water accumulating below the surface of your parking lot will gradually weaken your pavement and reduce its ability to handle its traffic load. Eventually, cracks will materialize, potholes will form, and your once-gorgeous parking area will turn into a hazardous eyesore.

How to Address Water Ponding Problems

The first thing to do is to have your parking lot inspected by a reputable contractor. Based on what the inspection finds, various corrective methods can be used, including the following.

  • Pothole repair to prevent the holes from deepening and widening and creating a greater hazard.
  • Patching if the problem is confined to small areas. 
  • Crack sealing during the spring and summer months to maintain the quality, appearance, and structural integrity of your pavement. Asphalt is porous, so water from melting snow and ice can infiltrate below the surface, causing minor cracks to form.
  • Infrared treatment to melt the surrounding asphalt to enable new asphalt to be mixed in.  
  • Installation of trench drains or a system of curbs and gutters to improve your drainage. 
  • Milling and overlay to add a new layer of asphalt over the top of your existing pavement to improve its strength, performance, and curb appeal. This procedure is more on the rehabilitative side of the spectrum rather than the preventative maintenance side. 

Can You Prevent Water Ponding on Your Parking Lot?

You can follow certain procedures to help prevent depressions from forming that will allow water to pool on your pavement. These steps include the following.

  • Prohibiting trucks from driving through your parking lot. Provide separate access to your loading dock.
  • Not allowing trucks or heavy equipment to park on your lot, especially if they need to remain stationary for several days. The weight of heavy loads can result in the deformation of your asphalt and leave depressions behind. If you must use your parking lot for palletized materials, move them to a different spot periodically, especially during the hot months.
  • The prompt removal of automotive fluid, such as oil, by means of a regular cleaning schedule.
  • Keeping storm drains and/or catch basins free from debris. If they clog, water will likely back up and pool on your pavement.
  • Placing snow piles strategically, i.e., as close as possible to your lot’s storm drain.

About South Central Sealing & Paving

Are you ready to keep your parking lot in optimal condition for a long life? Then get in touch with our team at South Central Sealing & Paving. We specialize in full-service parking lot maintenance and repairs, including patching, crack sealing, sealcoating, overlays, and more. Our experts can maintain the integrity of your parking lot without disrupting your business because we do it the right way the first time – no need for constant repairs.

South Central Sealing & Paving offers a wide range of asphalt- and concrete-related services to customers in the Wichita, Kansas area. If you are having ponding water problems on your parking lot, don’t wait until they get worse. Contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate!