General Guidelines for Constructing & Designing Concrete Parking Lots
Concrete parking lots are becoming increasingly popular in Austin, TX, and it’s not hard to see why. Concrete is a tough material that can last decades with proper care. Pair that with its positive impact on a property’s curb appeal, and it’s a wise choice for any commercial business. Concrete parking lot construction is a complex process. Whether you’re building a smaller lot or an expansive one that can support traffic around the clock, here’s a quick breakdown of the five key phases involved with the construction and design process.
1. What Information Do Contractors Need Before They Start with Concrete Parking Lot Construction?
The initial consultation you have with concrete parking lot contractors is crucial. Parking lot construction is more involved than most realize. Not every lot has the same specifications. Contractors engineer surfaces based on your needs. Therefore, they must understand your parking lot’s intended use.
When speaking to contractors, you should focus on what type of traffic your future lot will support. Will it accommodate shoppers throughout the day? Will it need to support heavy-duty transport or delivery vehicles? How much traffic do you expect to receive daily?
This information will guide the concrete construction process, allowing contractors to choose the appropriate materials, thicknesses and more.
2. How Important is Layout and Design for Austin Concrete Parking Lots?
Before any concrete construction can commence, professionals will take time to develop the perfect layout. Your parking lot’s layout will directly impact its overall efficiency and safety. You must also meet many codes and regulations while ensuring your lot can support your business.
The design and layout phase of parking lot construction is critical. You’ll work closely with contractors to determine the number of spaces you need, choose appropriate spot sizes, develop efficient traffic flows, etc.
3. How Do Contractors Begin the Concrete Parking Lot Construction Process?
Austin concrete parking lots typically start as bare land. Therefore, the construction process usually begins with excavation. Teams use heavy-duty gear to remove vegetation, topsoil and any other obstacles that might interfere with construction.
From there, contractors can amend the soil, grade the site and compact everything to create a reliable foundation for concrete construction. Proper sub-base preparation is critical. Without it, you’ll have to deal with many concrete parking lot repairs in the future.
4. How Can Contractors Help with Long-Term Maintenance When Constructing a Concrete Parking Lot?
In addition to preparing a reliable sub-base, contractors will need to prioritize proper drainage. Standing water is concrete’s mortal enemy, and a lack of drainage can cause many concrete parking lot repair issues.
Good drainage design can avoid those headaches. Every surface needs a subtle slope directing water to appropriate drainage structures. Drainage design should be part of the parking lot’s larger concrete construction plan, and teams should take steps to build drainage infrastructure throughout the process.
5. How Can I Ensure Maximum Safety During Concrete Parking Lot Construction?
In addition to planning for future concrete parking lot repairs, contractors can design your concrete parking lot with pedestrian safety in mind. It’s more than good traffic flow that matters. Your lot needs to keep everyone safe, whether in a vehicle or not.
Additional features like pedestrian crossing zones, functional lighting, ADA-compliant features and safety ramps should all be part of your parking lot construction plan. Don’t treat these details as an afterthought. Bake them into your Austin concrete parking lot design from the jump to create an accessible and safe space for all.
Let RDC Paving be your go-to contractor for concrete parking lots, ADA-compliant features, concrete curbing and more. We’re a trusted paving contractor that proudly serves property owners and managers in Austin. Our highly trained team understands the complexities of concrete construction, and we work closely with our clients to ensure we deliver on all fronts.
You can turn to RDC Paving for asphalt repairs, concrete work, maintenance, pavement markings, soil stabilization and more.
Call the RDC Paving team at (737)258-2608, email ryan@rdcpaving.com or submit our online contact form to discuss the details of your project and get a free quote.
