What are some required maintenance functions for a parking structure?*

Cleaning:
A frequently overlooked aspect of parking facility maintenance is proper floor cleaning. Sweep the floor surface of all parking bays weekly. Clean stairs and elevators daily.

Sweeping can be accomplished by using hand brooms or mechanized sweepers designed for use in buildings. The maximum allowable weight for mechanized sweeping equipment should be verified with the design engineer or your engineer consultant.

Remove all dirt and debris from the facility. Keep dirt and debris from drain basins and pipes. Remove grease buildup in parking spaces and facility exit areas with appropriate degreasers.

Washdown:
In addition to sweeping, a semi-annual washdown (Spring/Fall) with low pressure water hoses is advisable. Remove salt and debris accumulated during the year by flushing the floor surface. Salt accumulates during the winter months and should be removed each spring by flushing the floor surface. Precede the flushing by sweeping the facility.

More frequent flushing of critical areas such as entrances and main drive aisles is advisable during the winter when weather permits. Main entrances would benefit most from periodic removal of slush and snow.

When performing a flush-down for the parking decks, low pressure power washing may be used as required. Do not use high pressure water jet cleaning systems on floor slabs near control or expansion joint sealants. High pressure water jets can damage sealant, cause leakage and may lead to serious deterioration. High pressure water cleaning may be used for removing grease spots on the floor slab when care is taken to avoid damage to joint sealant materials. When flushing, take care to avoid washing sand into the drain system. Temporary burlap or straw filters are effective methods to prevent sand from getting into the drains.