Parking garages and first impressions

First impressions are important, and for many businesses, the first impression a visitor has of your company is the parking garage.

Is it creating the right impression? Whether you own the garage or rent a space in a building with a parking garage, it’s a good idea to think about the impression made when a visitor first arrives.

Painting and striping

Are directional arrows and lanes clearly marked throughout the parking garage? Can visitors clearly see where they are supposed to go to park once they enter the garage? Once parked, are there directional arrows and appropriate signage for elevators, stairs, and other exits?

Striping can wear away over time, so it’s important to have a proactive plan to properly seal the garage deck (floor) surface and repaint striping when needed.

Cleaning

Parking garages are subject to a lot of dirt and grime from vehicle traffic. In addition, leaves, trash, and other debris can collect in corners over time. While no parking garage will ever be spotlessly clean once in use, it’s important to have a regular cleaning schedule to keep your garage looking its best and prevent other problems.

The grease and dirt tracked in by vehicles can cause damage to the surface, which can lead to costly repairs. A regular cleaning schedule helps maintain the surface while also improving the first impression of guests.

Standing water and water-related stains

Water is a powerful force that can cause significant damage to a parking garage over time. If there’s pooling water in your parking garage, it’s important to address any drainage issues before more serious problems occur. Water and rust stains can leave the impression that your garage isn’t well maintained, and rust stains can be an early warning sign of structural problems as reinforcing bars within the concrete begin to corrode.

Stairwell conditions

Once a guest has parked in your garage and headed for an elevator or stairwell, what impression will they get there? Sometimes the garage itself is well maintained, but then the stairwells are dirty or deteriorating, which doesn’t leave a good impression. As you plan a cleaning and maintenance schedule for your garage, be sure to include the stairwells to ensure the right first impression continues.