How to maintain a concrete parking garage

Parking garages are a unique type of structure with their own maintenance concerns that other buildings don’t have to consider. Here’s what you need to know about maintaining a concrete parking garage.

Clean regularly

Cleaning the inside and outside of the structure at least annually is essential, not just for aesthetics but for longevity. Cars have a lot of corrosive fluids. Salt-based deicers can cause damage quickly. Buildups of these materials on concrete can cause damage over the long term if left unchecked.

You’re also more likely to notice issues while regularly cleaning the structure. Streaks of mold and mildew on the facade are indicators of deeper problems.

Reapply coatings

Parking garages need more than just paint. Parking decks require waterproofing, usually with acrylic or elastomer. That must be reapplied every few years (usually three to five). Repainting outside surfaces as the paint wears away is important too.

These coatings keep water and other fluids out of concrete. Over time, the concrete can wear away, and water will begin to access structural steel if you don’t keep up on this aspect of maintenance. Don’t ignore it.

Replace caulk and expansion joints

Caulking and expansion joints often get ignored. They shouldn’t be. Expansion joints have a long lifespan, but they should be periodically checked to ensure they’re still sound. Regular caulking will help you keep water out of areas it doesn’t need to be.

Parking garage maintenance isn’t hard to keep up with—if you’re keeping up with it. If you let it slip, you can be in for some expensive repairs. When water starts to make its way into concrete structures, it can buckle steel, crack concrete, and cause much more damage than just staying on top of maintenance would allow. Don’t let that happen. Contact JKI today, and we’ll give you a free consultation on what your parking garage needs.