Winterizing Your Parking Lot: Protecting Your Property Before the Freeze

Rose Paving / October 03, 2017

Updated on 12/10/24

Pre-Winter Protections For Your Surfaces Can Save You Time, Money, and Liability Risks

Game of Thrones jokes aside, winter is coming, and that is especially menacing for parking lots and pavement that haven’t been sufficiently prepared. In regions where winter brings snow, ice, and low temperatures, those brutal conditions can wreak havoc on surfaces and turn small problems into big ones. The time to start planning to winterize your parking lots is at the tail end of summer and into the early weeks of fall, and procrastination will cost you. Here’s what you need to know right now to get your properties in order on time.

Why Do You Need to Winterize Your Parking Lot?

Failure to prepare for damages caused by winter weather poses significant risks for your parking lots and the people who use them. If your property needs resurfacing before it’s buried in snow, postponing that treatment until after things thaw will allow potholes and cracks to grow—sometimes doubling in size due to the expansion and contraction of water under the surface.

Any preexisting divots in your concrete sidewalks are also likely to worsen, making the path your customers or tenants must navigate exceedingly treacherous. Fixing these problems early is much simpler and cheaper than having to fill in a giant ditch later. These small issues quickly devolve into big ones.

“Problems that could have been solved by resurfacing before winter hit will often need more full-depth removal and replacement prior to resurfacing by springtime or summertime, because the damage has escalated based on winter freeze and thaw cycles,” says Tim Chimack, vice president of Rose Paving Chicago.

Surface irregularities aren’t just eyesores: they’re risky and potentially expensive liabilities. When slick ice covers the surface, these hazards become more treacherous and harder to spot, increasing the risk of accidents and costly lawsuits. Proactively winterizing your parking lots not only preserves their structural integrity but also protects the people who use them.

What Treatments Do You Need to Protect Your Property?

Winter weather wreaks havoc on all surfaces, as do the solutions many properties use to combat it, from shovels to snow plows to road salt. A pristine lot can withstand most of those abuses, and preventative maintenance—including sealcoating and freshly painted lot markings—increases the odds for your property to remain visible and intact throughout the winter. This visibility can significantly reduce liabilities.

Address Cracks and Potholes

Cracks and potholes should be resolved most urgently since they tend to expand in the winter, making them more dangerous and expensive to repair. Asphalt fills and sealcoating act as your lot’s first line of defense against harsh winter conditions, preventing further deterioration.

Protect Sidewalks and Walking Paths

Sidewalks and walking paths are another critical focus for winterizing. Uneven concrete surfaces pose a serious trip risk. Rather than opting for a full removal or replacement, Rose Paving crews offer cost-effective solutions like grinding down the uneven areas to make them flush. “Making sure sidewalks are safe before they freeze is essential,” says Chimack. “It eliminates the trip risk and is very cost-effective.”

Snow and Ice Solutions

While snow and ice removal are inevitable parts of winter maintenance, they can take a toll on your lot if not managed carefully. Overuse of road salt can accelerate surface degradation, and improper plowing techniques can lead to surface gouges. By preemptively treating your lot with sealcoating, you create a barrier that mitigates the impact of these winter maintenance practices.

When Do You Need Your Winterizing Plan in Place?

If this is the first time you’ve considered taking measures to protect your parking lots, the time to act is right now. Sealcoating season wraps up in mid-October, and once that window is closed, there’s no way to backtrack. Paving companies in Chicago, for instance, typically empty and clean out their tanks in late October for the winter, leaving no options for latecomers.

Asphalt is also highly time-sensitive and gets more expensive as temperatures dip. Maintaining adequate material temperatures during cold weather requires additional equipment and trucking, which increases costs. Cutting it close also increases the likelihood that your services won’t make the cut due to early snowfall or delays in obtaining permit approvals.

Failure to winterize your parking lots shifts your needs from preventative to reparative, which can increase your servicing price tag by roughly 10 to 20 percent. Being proactive not only saves you money but also ensures your lot is ready to handle whatever winter throws its way.

Benefits of a Portfolio Management Plan (PMP)

Partnering with a national provider like Rose Paving ensures you’re always prepared for seasonal challenges. A comprehensive Portfolio Management Plan (PMP) tailored to your specific needs takes the guesswork out of maintenance. From inspections to preventative treatments, PMP services offer a streamlined approach to protecting your properties year-round.

Don’t Wait to Winterize Your Parking Lots

Winterizing your parking lots isn’t just a preventative measure—it’s a smart investment in the longevity and safety of your property. Acting early helps you avoid costly repairs, protects your lot from further damage, and minimizes risks for visitors and tenants.

Protect your surfaces and reduce liability risks this winter. Contact Rose Paving today to learn more about how we can help you winterize your parking lots before it’s too late. Visit our contact page to get started.