KEEP YOUR PROPERTY’S CONCRETE ADA COMPLIANT WITH THESE 5 TIPS

When you maintain ADA compliance, you signal to customers that you are committed to their care and comfort. Not complying with ADA regulations has serious consequences including loss of reputation, upset customers, and potential lawsuits.

Therefore, every business owner should understand ADA rules and regulations, including the rules for ADA compliant asphalt on your business property. Keep your property updated by following these 5 tips.

1. Make Sure Your Sidewalk Includes a Curb Ramp

Curbs pose a challenge for some people with disabilities. However, curb ramps make it easier for those using wheelchairs, canes or walkers to safely negotiate elevation changes. According to ADA regulations, you need a curb ramp installation to make it easier for those with disabilities to get around.

If you have a sidewalk with crosswalks, you need a curb ramp that follows ADA guidelines. Think of a sidewalk at an intersection where curb ramps are built-in. Curb ramps make it easy for customers with mobility issues to get around inside and outside your business.

2. Use Concrete for Access Ramps

Concrete ramps provide a durable, nearly maintenance-free material for access ramps. Concrete has high tensile strength and can handle heavy foot traffic without becoming pitted and damaged easily.

The ADA does not legislate what you need to use for your access ramps. However, the surface should deter moisture and contain enough texture to help prevent slips and falls. Concrete checks off all of these boxes and has qualities that less permanent materials, such as wood, lack. The longevity, appearance, and flexibility of concrete access ramps make concrete a natural choice.

Partner with a reputable local contractor for affordable business asphalt options.

3. Work With a Reputable Contractor

It’s important to research contractors through a number of options. First, search for a business profile at BBB.org. This will give you a list of any complaints made against the contractor and a brief summary of the company’s history. When reviewing complaints, it’s important to evaluate how the company handled unhappy customers. Every company will naturally have a few complaints, so knowing how they make it right for the customer can help you predict how responsive they are.

The company should also have references for previous jobs involving ADA compliant asphalt. Ensure that the company understands ADA regulations and ask them how they could help your business reach or retain ADA compliance. If your ramps, handrails and other ADA features are not installed correctly, you could face fines and lawsuits.

4. Meet All Requirements for Landings

You also need landings to prevent levels greater than the ADA threshold. Basically, the law prohibits level changes that surpass 1:48 at landings. For access ramps, that means installing flat landings at the top and bottom.

Here are a few guidelines to help you meet ADA rules:

  • Ensure all landings are level
  • Make landings as wide as the ramp
  • Create landings at least 60 inches long

5. Know When You Need Handrails

Handrails are valuable tools for those with mobility issues. They provide balance and can prevent falls. If your ramp has a rise of 6 inches or more or is at least 72 inches long, you’ll need to install ADA compliant handrails.

Follow these tips for business asphalt that can help you avoid fines and make your business more inviting to those with certain disabilities.

WHY REPAIRING YOUR ASPHALT IN A TIMELY MANNER MATTERS

Many businesses do not include asphalt repair in their maintenance budgets, but they should. It’s incredibly important to fix asphalt potholes and cracks as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. Improved curb appeal, increased safety and longer-lasting concrete result from giving your asphalt the attention it deserves.

CURB APPEAL

What impression does your business asphalt give? Do customers have to navigate several potholes to reach your front door? Potholes are unsightly and inconvenient and make your property look rundown, even if it’s otherwise well maintained.

Often, your client sees the parking lot long before they get inside to form an impression of your products or services. In order to keep clients, tenants and customers content, it’s important to perform asphalt repair as quickly as possible. It will improve the look and feel of your entire property.

Asphalt repair services include the following:

  • Seal-coating
  • Crack filling
  • Pothole repairs

It’s important to work with a reputable business to ensure that the repairs last as long as possible. Additionally, there are things that you can do to keep your asphalt in great shape throughout the year.

Asphalt maintenance tips for owners:

  • Sweep your asphalt pavement several times a year. This prevents gravel from enlarging cracks and holes. It’s also important to perform a self-inspection to determine the severity of defects.
  • Call a local company that specializes in asphalt repairs to seal your asphalt every three years. Sealcoat protects the asphalt from moisture and oxidation. Think of it as sunscreen, which protects your skin from damage, for your business asphalt.
  • Fill in cracks as quickly as possible with the help of a trusted contractor. Repairing and sealing cracks can help prevent them from widening further,

SAFETY

There are also many safety concerns when it comes to cracks and potholes in your parking lot or sidewalks. Customers with mobility issues can quickly trip and fall on large potholes. To keep your clients safe and increase the useful life of your concrete, make repairs quickly.

Unfortunately, many people continue looking through their mobile devices when crossing the parking lot. This can cause them to trip in potholes or cracks and become injured. Large potholes can also damage cars, trucks and other vehicles. Potholes form because there’s a problem with the base of your concrete. To avoid problems with appearance and safety, it’s important to have potholes fixed as quickly as possible.

DIY patch kits can temporarily prevent water penetration and further damage to the asphalt pothole. However, a professional contractor with experience in asphalt repairs can cut out the damaged asphalt and pour in new concrete, fixing potholes from the inside out.

FINANCIAL SAVINGS

Taking care of asphalt repair early can save you money down the road. Potholes allow moisture to sink into the surface of your asphalt, causing further deterioration. On the other hand, fast asphalt repairs can immediately improve the look and safety of your business.

The longer you can keep your current asphalt looking and performing well, the more savings you’ll realize. So, contact a proven contractor to provide an honest evaluation of your next best steps,

Asphalt potholes are a sign that your aging concrete may need replacement in the near future. So, it’s important to pay attention. Therefore, it’s important to get the best asphalt repair along with a professional inspection of your business asphalt.