Even during a mild winter, a major storm could be lying in wait. If you own or operate a business, it’s important to prepare for whatever winter weather might come your way. Your main concern might be with protecting your building itself, but the areas surrounding your building -- namely your parking lot and walkways -- deserve just as much attention. Here’s why it’s essential to clear your parking lot after a major winter storm.

Why Parking Lot Snow Removal Is Essential After a Winter Storm

Protect Your Parking Lot

It’s easy to take your parking lot for granted. However, without a sturdy, stable lot, your employees, customers, and partners will have a difficult time entering your location. Over time, your parking lot will break down and you’ll need to repave the asphalt and repaint the lines. Of course, these parking lot repairs can be cumbersome and costly. To reduce the frequency with which you need to resurface your parking lot, you must properly maintain it year-round. Routine parking lot cleaning (i.e. debris removal and washing) is a key part of this equation, mitigating erosion and other issues. Snow removal is also essential following a major snowfall -- allowing snow and ice to rest on top of your lot will allow moisture to seep into every nook and cranny, further fracturing the asphalt and making it more susceptible to damage. By clearing your lot right after a winter storm, you reduce these erosive effects so your lot lasts longer and remains sturdy.

Maintain Accessibility

If your parking lot is covered in snow and ice, it won’t be easy for anyone to maneuver or park their vehicle, let alone walk from the lot to the building. This lack of accessibility can discourage customers from doing business with you and put people (and their property) in harm’s way. So, if you want to ensure that people can easily get in and out, hire commercial snow plowing services to keep your parking lot clear during and after a big winter storm.

Ensure Safety

A snow-covered parking lot is anything but safe. For one thing, snow can conceal hazards that might damage one’s vehicle or cause one to trip. Not only that -- an abundance of snow and ice increases the risk of slips, trips, and falls due to a lack of friction. The longer you leave snow and ice on your lot, the more likely these accidents are to occur, which is why immediate snow removal and ice management are so important after a winter storm.

Identify Debris and Other Issues

As we just mentioned, heavy snowfall can cover up all kinds of objects that aren’t where they belong. Not only is this a safety hazard, but it can also interfere with proper storm debris removal. If, for instance, a major winter storm begins with high winds and ends with several feet of snow, branches, garbage, broken materials, and other detritus might be strewn across your parking lot, hidden underneath inches of snow. The only way to uncover and remove this debris is by first clearing away the snow.

Reduce the Amount of Moisture Inside Your Facility

Lastly, any moisture that ends up on your parking lot and walkways can quickly enter your interior as people track in snow and slush with their shoes. Wet floors are safety hazards, and moisture intrusion can also damage your property. If you want to reduce the amount of water that ends up in your building, prioritize parking lot snow removal.

Don’t Want a “Lot” of Snow?

As you prepare to protect your property from winter weather, make sure you have reliable snow plowing and/or snow blowing services on call to keep your parking lot, walkways, and landscape clear. The Budd Group offers all of these services and more to keep your facility safe, clean, and beautiful. To learn more about our services and values, give us a call today at 800-221-8158!