Commercial parking garages located in the bustling DMV area are essential infrastructure that requires regular maintenance.
FUN FACT: Did you know the largest parking garage in our area is the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Daily Parking Garage, with 8,400 parking spaces? It is one of the top ten largest parking garages in the U.S.
Our mid-Atlantic location on the coast near the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, means that we have both hot and humid summers and occasional ice and snow in the winter. What does this mean for your parking garage?
As with maintaining any commercial building, parking garages are the first point of contact for customers, employees, and visitors, before they even make it into the adjacent building. Creating a positive first impression with meticulous maintenance and curb appeal can enhance your investment’s value, attract new business, and keep safety and user satisfaction at the forefront.
Find out about all the benefits of parking garage maintenance:
Safety First for Every Parking Structure
Safety is the most important reason for maintaining a parking garage. These structures carry tremendous amounts of weight. According to Axios, more American are purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) than ever before and they can be hundreds to thousands of pounds heavier because EV batteries are so heavy.
Consider how this can affect aging parking garages. In New York City, an aging parking garage collapsed which killed one person and injured five others. This began an urgent inquiry to prevent similar catastrophes. This sort of tragedy is completely preventable with regular inspections and maintenance.
Exposure to the weather, the intrusion of water, vehicular traffic (now heavier!), and all manner of chemicals, including oil, gasoline, and de-icing salts, can cause significant wear and tear on commercial parking garages.
Any deterioration can lead to structural weaknesses over time, such as cracks in the concrete, rusting rebar that reinforces the structure, and compromised integrity of load-bearing elements. Regular inspections and maintenance are necessary to identify these issues, so property owners can address them before they pose serious safety risks.
Increase Parking Garage Longevity and Cost Savings
Preventative maintenance significantly extends the life of a parking garage. Keep your investment in tip-top shape and it will last so much longer.
Routine cleaning, sealing, and repairing minor damage prevents larger, more costly repairs and parking garage restoration down the line. For instance, sealing cracks in the concrete early prevents further water infiltration, which can cause extensive damage through freeze-thaw cycles in the DMV area.
Save money over time by investing in regular upkeep and you can avoid the high costs associated with major structural repairs, extensive parking garage restoration, or even complete rebuilds.
Enhance the Value & Curb Appeal of Your Parking Garage
Well-maintained parking garages that are clean, safe, and well-functioning contribute to the overall value of your commercial property. Besides attending to the structural safety of the garage, consider all the other systems that make your parking garage function well.
- Are the stairwells and elevators clean?
- Are stair steps and hand railings in good repair?
- How are elevators performing? Do they need a tune-up?
- How are the parking access/control systems working? Do they need an upgrade?
- What does the landscaping look like around the parking garage?
- Is any water pooling after a rain?
A clean and well-maintained parking garage is an asset that enhances the appeal of your commercial parking garage and will attract you more business, too.
Focus on User Satisfaction for Higher Profitability
Parking garages throughout the DMV often depend on regular users to become profitable. Sometimes parking garage visitors are required to use a specific parking garage, but many times they have choices. If you invest in how drivers experience your parking garage, you can depend on repeat business.
A clean, well-lit, and well-run parking facility enhances the overall experience for users, which can attract repeat business and additional business from meeting planners, too. Keep the long game in mind by scheduling regular inspections and maintenance for your property for the best results.
Maintain Your Parking Garage for Environmental Benefits
Parking garage maintenance can also limit the impact on the environment. Regular cleaning reduces pollutants that can enter stormwater drainage systems and inspecting drainage systems can ensure that water does not pool.
Installing efficient lighting systems reduces energy consumption, too. These maintenance practices can contribute to lowering utility bills and environmental sustainability.
Parking Garage Maintenance Partner in the DMV
Whether your parking garage is large or small, investing in regular maintenance and inspections will keep it in good working condition for years to come. If your parking garage is located in the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. Metroplex, call Dominion Property Restoration at (800) 971-6995 or contact us for a quote.
Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, we have been inspecting, maintaining, and repairing parking garages in the area for more than 30 years. If you have noticed cracks, are having problems with water intrusion, or just have not had your parking garage inspected as often as you want, we can help you get the job done. We can help you with parking garage maintenance, waterproofing, masonry services, caulking, painting, and water leaks.
