3 Signs a Commercial Property Needs New Pavers
Pavers create beautiful statement pieces on commercial properties that are just as functional as they are aesthetic. At your restaurant or coffee shop, you might use pavers to create a patio for outdoor dining. Or, you may prefer the appearance of pavers for creating a lovely walkway that leads to your boutique’s front door. Whether you use pavers for patios or driveways, you’ll want to keep an eye out for these three signs that the ones on your commercial property need an update.
1- Check for Visible Cracks and Chips
Both porcelain and concrete pavers are designed to be durable. But, they can develop damage over time due to heavy blows and normal aging. Pavers can also begin to crack if they are on the ground and begin to shift to the point that weight is no longer distributed evenly across their surface. Once a paver becomes cracked, then it can sustain further damage. Chipped pavers are also an eyesore that could cause customers to think that your business doesn’t care about quality. As you inspect the pavers for damage, you’ll also want to look along the edges for signs of them breaking down due to age.
2- Watch Out for Uneven Surfaces
Professional hardscaping crews typically prepare the ground to create a strong foundation for pavers. Yet, changes in the ground levels that occur over time can eventually cause the pavers to begin to shift around. Once this happens, you may find that individual pavers no longer sit flush with the adjacent ones. Having pavers that jut out higher than the others creates a fall hazard on your property that can lead to costly lawsuits for personal injuries. If the surface is uneven enough, then your property may also be cited for being non-compliant with current ADA laws. Requesting new pavers from a hardscaping company helps your company create smooth walking paths for every customer to use when they visit your business.
3- Look for Pooling Water
The foundation prep that your hardscaping company does before putting down pavers also involves creating a gentle slope that facilitates drainage. If this isn’t done properly, then you could see water puddling on the surface of the pavement that doesn’t run off to the preferred sides. Pooling water can deter customers from wanting to walk on the surface or dine outside. On top of decreasing revenue at your company, the pooling water also creates the perfect environment for further breakdown of the pavement. Water can seep into unsealed areas around the pavers which can cause them to deteriorate faster. Once this happens, you may need to plan for replacing the pavers sooner than you expect.
Keeping pavers in good condition reassures customers that your company pays attention to details and cares about safety. You’ll also find that refreshing old and damaged pavers helps to reduce liabilities on your property and protects the buildings from water damage. Set up a schedule to perform regular inspections of the pavers on your commercial lot, and appoint a member of your management team to call for professional hardscaping services at the first sign of a problem.
