Blogs
Education along with technology is the foundation for a program with BlueSky. Scroll down to read up on some of our latest features on the services and programs you find most important.
The Power of a Pavement Maintenance Plan
The power of a Pavement Maintenance Plan “A Pavement Maintenance Plan? Seriously? That’s ludicrous! Why would anyone want that?” “You just fix the cracks and potholes when it’s necessary, maybe put on some of that sealer stuff now and then.” These are typical reactions when the term Pavement Maintenance Plan (PMP) is mentioned, and those are just from my wife! Most property owners and managers have similar reactions, a few rub their chin and are genuinely intrigued, though you know in the back...
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Plan Your Way to be a Smooth Operator
So, let’s face it, working on your parking lot and sidewalks is a daunting task. There are very few times that are “good” to perform the work. Closing even part of your lot can create havoc, stress, and dissatisfied clients and visitors. But it is a necessity to get the work done quickly, safely, and cost-effectively. How do you balance the needs of your facility while maintaining a cost-effective program? Each property and project are different, having a partner who has “been there,...
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Keys to Seal Coating – Your Future Success
Number of Coats BlueSky recommends two coats normally as a best practice. If a long term PMP is in place, low traffic areas may be adequate with one coat. All high traffic areas should have a minimum of two coats every 2-3 years. Coverage Rates First coat – 40 square feet per gallon HIGHLY recommended the first coat be squeegee or broom applied. Second coat – 60 square feet per gallon should be spray applied. Total of 2 coats – average coverage around 50 square feet per gallon (or 5 square...
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Why Catch Basins and Manholes Fail in Parking Lots
Catch basins, AKA Storm Drains, deteriorate and fail due to a myriad of reasons. Sometimes they are installed incorrectly, but most often their failure is a slow, easy to control degradation. As with everything else in your parking lot, the elements, especially water and ice, are the main contributing factors. The Catch Basin is designed to catch and usher away water from your parking lot. Interestingly while it is designed to deal with water, that does not necessarily mean it will not be...
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Don’t Crack Under the Pressure of Parking Lot Management!
Water is great for your grass and landscape. It is critical for your own personal health! But water is the enemy when it comes to your roads and parking lot. Your pavement cracks won’t go away without attention. Here are some tips that BlueSky focuses on with every client we work with. Top Tips to Minimize Cracks in Your Parking Lot BlueSky recommends an annual inspection and crack filling program to get the most out of your pavement. Cracks left untreated may allow water to infiltrate...
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When and Why You Want to Mill and Overlay Your Parking Lot
As your parking lot ages, even with the most astute maintenance program you are eventually going to need to replace the surface or wearing course. A well-executed maintenance plan is focused on several factors Cost effective longevity Safety focus, by eliminating cracks and holes that may cause slip, trips, and falls Maintaining a clean and professional appearance in front of and around your business A concerted effort to maintain the base and sub-surface structure of your parking lot The last...
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Preserving Your Future
Let’s face it, the most obvious benefit of Pavement Preservation is extending the life of the pavement. Thereby saving significant capital expenditure over the life of your parking lot. But some not so obvious points of a well-executed Pavement Preservation program are: Lower Costs Over Time Studies show every additional dollar spent on preventive maintenance treatments saves between $8 and $10 in future rehabilitation costs. More Predictable Costs With scheduled yearly programs your budget...
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Guiding Principles of How to Construct Your ADA Compliant Parking Stalls
Location, Location, Location Accessible spaces must connect to the shortest accessible route to the accessible building entrance or facility they serve. If a parking facility serves multiple buildings or accessible entrances, accessible parking spaces should be dispersed to enable people to park near as many accessible entrances as possible.For example: A shopping center has fifteen stores, each with a separate entrance. There is one large parking lot with 1000 spaces. The twenty accessible...
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Make Striping on Concrete Last Longer
Make Striping on Concrete Last Longer Concrete presents a few unique challenges over asphalt to assure a long life for your pavement markings. The Paint Traffic paint technology has come a very long way in the past few years. BlueSky prefers Latex based paints for concrete surfaces. Alkyd paints (oil based) will work, but they are not as effective and their fumes can be noxious to the public. This especially holds true in parking garages where the air exchange rate may be less adequate...
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Evaluating Your Pavement
Believe it or not, there is a formula to evaluate your pavement. While the primary driver for the development of the PASER Scale, by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was our nations roadways, the format has proven highly valuable for commercial properties. BlueSky has found that by following the simple format and scoring program, our national clients can quickly evaluate their budgetary and resource needs quickly and consistently. What is the PASER Scale? The Pavement Surface Evaluation...
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ADA Regulations & Why They Matter
In 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued new regulations governing how businesses must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These new sets of regulations are enforceable for all new construction facilities, there are very few exceptions allowed. The standards did however, include a “safe harbor” for those facilities complying with the previous 1991 standards. The caveat? Any property that undergoes a planned alteration to the parking lot triggers the requirement...
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Striping for a Cause
Parking Lot Striping Matters I could never imagine a business allowing the paint on the front of their building to become faded, cracked, and peeling. Not only does it not look appealing, everyone knows paint helps protect our buildings from the elements. Let’s face it, not many think about line striping in their parking lots until those stripes look something akin to swiss cheese. And while line striping may not protect your parking lot like a fresh coat of building paint, a focused program...
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