Parking garages have to be built to withstand heavy traffic, and even the most perfectly built garage will still require repairs. There are so many elements that cause the garage materials to break down, including some of the following:
- Environmental elements, such as rain, snow, and extreme temperatures
- Agents used to melt snow on the road
- General wear and tear from heavy traffic, especially because of the weight of vehicles constantly bearing down on the structure
Since all garages are exposed to these factors over time, garage restoration becomes necessary.
A garage restoration requires particular strategic planning. If a garage has to be closed down for the duration of the restoration, it can become extremely expensive to the owners. Instead of closing the entire structure for repairs, a garage restoration project can be done in phases.
The following is a list of steps for planning a garage restoration project:
- Complete a thorough assessment of the unit in need of repairs.
- Determine what areas need to be fixed and what procedures need to be completed in each area.
- Write a detailed plan for conducting the restoration in phases. Instead of closing the entire structure, a restoration project can be done in small increments. This allows people to still use the structure and minimizes lost revenue for garage owners or disruption to residents.
- Put together a timeline for completing each repair. Utilize work hours that will be the least disruptive to heavy traffic in and out of the garage. Depending on the location, this may be on the weekends or during specific hours of the day.
- Review the phases with the garage owner to receive additional insights about timing and closure of different parking spots.
These repair and maintenance strategies will lead to more efficient and less expensive repairs, which will benefit both the owner and the engineering firm.