Why Sweep a Parking Lot? Asphalt Maintenance

Environmental Factors Risk Management Aesthetics Reasons to Sweep Asset Management Environmental Factors Risk Management Aesthetics

Asset Management Enhance the Property Investment Reduce Capital Expenditures Increase the Longevity of Hardscape areas Increase Longevity of Asphalt / Concrete, Sealcoat, Striping Sand, dirt, and other debris are abrasive materials. The weight of vehicles driving across the abrasive material will act as an industrial sander shortening the life of your pavement Power Sweeping air machines vacuum small particles of debris that act as abrasives on parking areas. This debris will deteriorate asphalt, striping, and sealcoat. Sealcoat costs can range from $.15 sqft. And up. An average parking lot of 100,000 sqft can cost $15,000 to seal and an additional $5,000 to stripe. By increasing the frequency of power sweeping, the life of the sealcoat and striping may be extended by as much as 20-30%. This may even increase depending on the location, environment and condition of the asphalt. When dirt and sand are allowed to stay on pavement, they quickly start deteriorating the pavement material. This is especially harmful when dirt collects and weeds begin to grow. Their roots cause cracking in cement and asphalt. Asphalt Overlay can cost $1.00-2.00 sqft. Regular power sweeping may also extend the life of pavement, thus preventing frequent and costly repairs. Interior Building Maintenance The same abrasive debris on the outside is also the same debris tracked into businesses by shoes, shopping carts, two wheelers, etc. This leads to the damage of carpeting and other flooring and is a major factor in driving up floor care costs (think spring cleaning) Keeping Storm Water Systems Efficient Drain Clogging Can Lead to: Sub-base failure Reduce catch basin cleaning Flood prevention Damage to buildings Other Assets Well maintained properties tend to decrease malicious property damage such as graffiti. Illegal dumping is reduced Reduces Landscaping costs – frequency reduces the possibility of debris in landscape

Environmental Factors Manage Storm water Sweeping one of the Best Practices for Managing Storm water run off EPA compliance Part of many cities “Green” Initiatives Tax incentives Reduces air born particles Proactive management of increased regulation from Federal, State, and Local authorities Rodent and Animal Control Dirty areas (Dumpster Enclosures) attract rodent and other disease carrying animals

Risk Management Insurance Risk Reduce Liability Slip and Fall Litigation A documented proper sweeping plan can discourage frivolous lawsuits Can also Protect you in legitimate lawsuits The removal of loose debris improves vehicle braking time Part of a Overall Property Maintenance Program to minimize exposure which also include snowplowing, landscape maintenance, asphalt maintenance, building

Aesthetics Enhance the Property Investment The visual appearance of your property is a significant factor in where a customer chooses to visit Imagine having surgery in a hospital with dirty floors. Parking areas are where the customers derive their, “first impression” Keeping a parking area clean is the best chance to make sure the customer “first impression” is favorable Clean parking areas encourage visitors to be more careful where they discard their trash Overall appearance of your facility has a direct impact on the attitude of your customers, visitors, and employees. People like to patronize the successful. Clearly, all businesses would choose to have a clean parking area, all other considerations aside. The unwillingness or inability to keep a particular area cleaned projects an image of not being successful. Poorly maintained exteriors projects to visitors that a business is operated poorly Even the most beautiful landscape is of no consequence if the parking area is poorly maintained. (Think Disney!) The professionalism of the local business community at large is a composite of the individual images projected by each of the businesses within it. When people have several places where they feel comfortable shopping in a particular neighborhood or township, traffic is increased throughout the entire general area. Remodeled and new shopping centers and business locations tend to have a significant higher numbers of visits. A clean parking area attracts and retains tenants Higher market value for lease and purchased space Shopping centers are finding maintenance of market share to be an increasingly competitive proposition. It's virtually impossible to develop or retain the desired competitive edge if the grounds on the exterior of the business are unkempt.