A commercial parking lot is more than an area for vehicles. It is part of the premises that customers, employees, delivery drivers, and visitors use every day. Cracked asphalt, potholes, poor drainage, and uneven surfaces can create hazards that may contribute to slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall incidents.
Under Ontario’s Occupiers’ Liability Act, an occupier has a duty to take reasonable care to ensure that people entering the property are reasonably safe. The duty applies to dangers arising from the condition of the premises as well as activities taking place there.
For commercial property owners and managers, consistent parking lot maintenance is therefore an important part of managing property risks.
Inspect the Lot Regularly
A maintenance program should begin with routine inspections. Staff or property managers can look for developing cracks, potholes, loose asphalt, standing water, damaged curbs, and areas where the surface has become uneven.
Inspections should be documented. Written records can show when an issue was identified, what action was taken, and whether follow-up was completed. A consistent inspection and maintenance system may also help demonstrate that reasonable steps were being taken to manage foreseeable risks.
Address Potholes Before They Expand
Small potholes can become significantly larger when water enters cracks and freezes during Ontario winters. Heavy vehicle traffic can further accelerate deterioration.
Timely Pothole repair helps address these surface defects before they create larger maintenance concerns. Depending on the severity of the damage, repairs may involve patching, removing deteriorated asphalt, or repairing the underlying base.
Waiting until a pothole becomes a major depression can increase repair requirements and leave pedestrians and drivers navigating a more hazardous surface.
Repair Cracks and Uneven Areas
Cracks may appear harmless, but they can allow water to penetrate the pavement and contribute to further deterioration. Uneven transitions between repaired and existing asphalt can also create trip hazards.
Regular crack sealing and appropriate commercial asphalt repair may help preserve the pavement and reduce the development of larger defects. Maintenance should address both visible damage and the conditions contributing to it, such as drainage problems.
Keep Drainage Under Control
Standing water can weaken asphalt and create slippery walking surfaces. Poor drainage may also contribute to recurring pavement deterioration.
Property managers should monitor areas where water regularly accumulates after rainfall or snowmelt. Correcting drainage concerns, keeping catch basins clear, and ensuring water can move away from pedestrian routes are useful components of comprehensive parking lot maintenance.
Do Not Rely Solely on Contractors
Ontario law recognizes circumstances involving independent contractors. However, simply assigning maintenance responsibilities to another company does not automatically resolve every issue for an occupier. Section 6 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act addresses circumstances where an independent contractor performs maintenance or repair work and requires consideration of whether the occupier acted reasonably in selecting the contractor and ensuring the work was properly completed.
Property managers should therefore keep records of inspections, reported hazards, repairs, and contractor work.
Create a Preventive Maintenance Plan
A proactive schedule is generally more useful than waiting for visible damage to become severe. Seasonal inspections can identify problems following winter freeze-thaw cycles, while regular checks throughout the year can catch deterioration caused by traffic and weather.
A maintenance plan may include pavement inspections, crack sealing, Pothole repair, drainage checks, line maintenance, and larger commercial asphalt repair when required.
Keep Your Commercial Parking Lot Ready for Everyday Use – Work With Promain on Your Pavement Maintenance Needs!
A well-maintained parking lot supports safer access while helping protect your investment in commercial property. Promain provides pavement maintenance and repair solutions designed around the condition and requirements of each property. From Pothole repair to commercial asphalt repair, taking care of pavement issues early can help keep your parking areas functional and presentable throughout the year.