Even if you appreciate the importance of keeping your business premises clean and well-presented, it’s easy for certain areas to get overlooked or deprioritized. One of the most commonly neglected areas for many businesses is their parking lot.
Although it’s all too easy to view it as a purely functional area of your business, there are plenty of reasons not to ease up on your cleaning standards there. Just consider the following:
It’s the First Thing Your Customers Will Notice
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the first thing your customers will notice is your building or signage but, unless something is out-of-place or there’s been some big changes, they may well just tune that out. Your parking lot could be the same, but if it’s a mess or visibly dirty, chances are they’ll notice. It goes without saying that it would be far from the best possible start to their visit.
Reduce The Risk of Accidents and Injuries
Dirt, litter, and spillages can all increase the risk of slips and trips, something you definitely want to take all practical steps to avoid. Accidents like that are unpleasant for the staff member or customer affected, but can also pose a serious risk to your business. Not only is it bad publicity, but there’s also the threat of them taking legal action against you.
Protect Surfaces and Reduces Maintenance Costs
Dirt and debris can cause porous surfaces such as asphalt to erode faster, meaning that your parking lot will need to be resurfaced more often. Obviously, this will lead to higher maintenance costs, but it may also interfere with your business as access will be more difficult while the work is taking place. A cleaning routine that includes regular sweeping of the surfaces is a simple way to avoid these additional costs.
It Stops Rodents and Other Pests Settling In
Regardless of where your business is located, rodents such as rats and mice, as well as other pests such as flies, can be a concern. Although you’ll likely still want a comprehensive pest control system, keeping your surroundings clear can be a very impactful part of this. Litter can provide food and protection for pests, encouraging them to spend more time and even settle into your parking lot, with your property being next. Keeping things clean is the best way to avoid this situation.
It Prevents Problems With Drainage
Whether it’s the result of litter, accumulated dirt, or just natural debris such as fallen leaves, a dirty parking lot can cause issues with your drains. Without regular cleaning, it’s only a matter of time until any dirt and litter in your lot makes its way to your drains. Once this happens it can build up and lead to blockages. These blockages aren’t just expensive and time-consuming to sort, but they can also lead to flooding and potentially even having to close off some or all of your parking lot until it’s dealt with.
It Sets A Standard For Others
If the area surrounding your business already looks a mess, other people won’t feel so bad littering and otherwise failing to take care of it too. On the other hand, if your parking lot is clearly a well-cared-for space, other people are more likely to take care of it as well.
Your Employees Will Appreciate It Too
It’s not just your customers who will appreciate a clean parking lot, your staff will too. Chances are the parking lot will be the first part of your business they interact with during their working day, making it the ideal opportunity to set the tone for their shift. A clean lot looks good and communicates high standards, which will carry through into their attitude and their work, as well as simply making their day feel a little more pleasant.
Making Parking Lot Cleaning Easy
Even with all of these benefits, you may feel like keeping on top of the rest of your cleaning is challenging enough, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. With Bayside supporting you, you can enjoy all the benefits of a clean parking lot without having to take care of the practicalities yourself. Contact us today for a free quote and to find out what else we can do for you.
