How Often Should Parking Lot Striping Be Redone?

For most businesses, parking lot striping should be redone every 18 to 24 months. This is a general rule, and some properties will need to be restriped more (or less) often. It is common practice to have parking lot striping redone when the parking lot has just undergone maintenance or when the lot’s current markings are no longer clearly visible. Read on to learn other factors that may influence the schedule of parking lot striping.

Factors That Affect Parking Lot Striping Frequency

Parking lot striping may wear at a faster or slower rate depending on the following factors:

• Traffic patterns – If a business attracts a lot of vehicle traffic, the lot and its striping will both take on increased wear. As cars pass over parking spaces and lines, they will eventually rub away at the paint. The more vehicles that use the lot, the faster its stripes will wear out. It is a good idea for property owners to monitor the parking lot’s condition over time. If the striping looks faded after just 12 months, the restriping schedule may need to be accelerated.
• Light vs. heavy vehicle traffic – Heavier vehicle traffic will chip away at the paint faster than lighter vehicles. If a business uses a fleet of heavier vehicles or machinery, they will likely need the parking lot striping to be redone more often.
• Weather – Mother Nature plays a role in the schedule for parking lot striping as well, as some climate patterns can wear or chip away at the paint more quickly. Snow and ice are the biggest threats, especially in areas where snow may accumulate and plows are needed. As snowplows pass over pavement, they contact the surface and can tear up some of the striping in the process. Businesses in Houston typically do not have to worry about accumulating snow, but the city’s frequent heavy downpours can also erode pavement markings. Be sure to check the parking lot striping following a wet weather event to make sure the lines are still clearly visible.
• The parking lot’s condition – As a parking lot ages, it will eventually develop cracks, potholes, depressions, and other signs of damage. These issues will alter traffic and wear patterns in a parking lot, which means the striping may wear faster in some parts of the lot, and slower in others. The worse the parking lot’s condition, the more disproportionate the lot’s striping wear will be.

If a business has an asphalt parking lot, it will need new striping after every sealcoat application or after an overlay. Sealcoating is recommended every 12-24 months, so many property owners align their sealcoating and parking lot striping schedule.

Why High-Quality Striping is Important

High visibility striping serves an important purpose for every parking lot. If the striping is kept in good condition, it will provide several benefits, including:

• Efficient traffic flow – Visitors and customers rely on clear pavement markings to navigate through a parking lot safely. By investing in on-time restriping, it will be easier for motorists and pedestrians to guide themselves through the lot. The result is better efficiency and a better parking experience for customers and employees. It may seem like a small benefit, but business owners need every advantage they can get when making an impression.
• Better parking lot safety – High quality parking lot striping also boosts safety by ensuring visitors can safely navigate the property. For example, traffic flow arrows keep motorists from driving into each other head-on. Parking space markings help motorists orient their vehicle and ensure there are open corridors for cars or pedestrians to travel. Pedestrian crosswalks ensure people can safely approach the business on foot. Hatch line patterns point out wheelchair access aisles, giving people enough room to safely move while adhering to ADA standards.
• Improved parking lot appearance – Fresh parking lot striping is a big appearance boost for any business, especially when it is applied to a fresh coat of asphalt or a new slab of concrete. However, the opposite is also true – if the parking lot striping is faded, the property will look poorly maintained.
• Compliance with ADA regulations – ADA requirements can change suddenly, and they can change at the federal, state, or local level. When ADA regulations are updated, parking lot striping may require updating as well. Prompt restriping services will ensure the business remains in compliance even as the laws change.

A Reputable Houston Pavement Contractor Can Provide Parking Lot Striping Services

Parking lot striping plays an important role in supporting the lot’s function and appearance. As such, it’s highly recommended to have parking lot striping redone every 18-24 months, but this is just a starting point. Depending on the lot’s condition, weather events and traffic patterns, the timeline for restriping may be different.

If any business owner is unsure of whether their parking lot striping should be redone, a reputable pavement contractor can help. Paving experts can provide a detailed inspection of the parking lot, assess its overall condition, and determine when restriping will be needed next.