Managing a parking lot can get tricky for some businesses. Over time, they warp and crack, leading to all sorts of structural problems that make them unsuitable for customers’ vehicles (not to mention making you look shabby).
The problem is that sorting out parking lots and bringing them up to an acceptable standard is also challenging. You need to be careful you don’t damage nearby utilities and cause the whole street to go into a protracted blackout.
So, what should you be doing in a situation like this?
Perform A Utility Survey
If you don’t already have a utility survey in place from the last time you improved your site, then you’ll need one. These tell you where all the mains supplies are, including the water, gas and electricity.
It’s a good idea to update these every time new work is carried out in your area. Once you have one, you can pass it onto contractors who can then work around it.
Existing parking bays and directional markings may also need to be cleared before a new layout is applied, so arranging line marking removal can be part of preparing the surface for the upcoming work.
If you can mark utility locations on the floor before workers arrive, that’s even better. These reduce the risk of subsurface damage.
Phase Your Construction
Once you’re ready to get started, the next step is to phase your construction. You want to ensure you get all the elements right and do it in the proper order. If you don’t, you could disrupt local businesses and households.
Unfortunately, if you’re replacing your parking lot, you’ll need to dig quite deep before you can start leveling out. These activities put utility lines at risk, so you’ll need to be careful.
Make sure you schedule work in low-traffic areas first and use barriers to keep people safe if they are walking close by. Putting up signage is also a good idea for legal as well as practical reasons.
Use Non-Invasive Construction Methods
Contact vacuum excavation companies to begin the process of removing debris around utilities carefully (if there are any). These non-invasive techniques reduce the risk of damage of utility lines while giving you access to the deeper layers for proper groundwork.
If you can use trenchless technology, that can be helpful, too. These processes allow you to lay new lines without having to dig a ditch first.
Sometimes, it’s possible to repair parking lots at the surface level instead of full-depth construction. This option is something you’ll want to explore with the contractors you decide to use.
Implement Clear Communication
When conducting delicate operations like these, it is critical to implement clear communication with everyone involved. Contractors should understand that protecting utilities during parking lot repair operations is paramount.
If you’re worried about subcontractors arriving on-site, put up signage in the parking lot to tell them about the risks and where you think the lines are. If you can be on the phone or have someone who can function as a point of contact, you can answer questions quickly and prevent work from going ahead if you think it is too risky. Hopefully, this approach will reduce emergencies and prevent burst water mains during work.
Discover more from The Cameron Journal
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
