“Wow we did not know how dirty our parking lot actually was. Thanks for your hard work!”
That reaction came after we finished a detailed parking lot cleaning project at a UPMC health facility in Harrisburg, PA. The property team had found RDS Paving & Sealcoating through an online search, and the lot needed careful preparation before crack filler and sealcoat could be applied.
Once we got on site, the reason for the extra prep became clear.
This was an unusually dirty parking lot with a heavy amount of debris across the asphalt. Covering that surface too soon would have created a basic adhesion problem. Crack filler and sealcoat need clean asphalt beneath them so the materials can bond as intended.
Cleaning the Surface Before Pavement Maintenance
We treated the cleaning phase as an essential part of the pavement maintenance process, not a quick sweep before moving on. For a commercial property in Harrisburg, that level of preparation matters because a large lot can collect loose material in cracks, along curbs, and across traffic areas.
Our crew worked through the lot with several tools, each serving a different purpose. We used wire brooms to move loose debris toward the ends of the parking area. We followed with a power broom to kick stubborn material up from the asphalt surface.
From there, hand blowers and a riding blower helped move the loosened debris into corners where we could collect it efficiently.
This prep fit directly into the pavement maintenance work we provide across Central Pennsylvania, including parking lot sealcoating and crack sealing.
From Loose Debris to a Cleaner Working Surface
The final cleanup required plenty of hands-on work. Once the blowers had gathered the debris, we shoveled it into buckets and emptied those buckets into the bed of our truck. That step kept the material from being pushed back across areas we had already cleaned.
It took more time than a typical lot cleanup, but the condition of this UPMC property called for it. We would rather put the effort into preparation than leave dirt between the asphalt and the materials designed to protect it.
“Wow we did not know how dirty our parking lot actually was. Thanks for your hard work!”
The client’s response captured the difference clearly.
A parking lot can look reasonably serviceable from a distance while still holding far more dirt and loose material than expected. Once our crew worked through the surface, the amount removed made that easy to see.
A Better Starting Point for a Harrisburg Parking Lot
For us, this project shows why preparation deserves real attention on commercial pavement. Cleaning is the step that gives crack sealing and sealcoating a suitable surface to adhere to. Skipping or rushing it can work against the maintenance that follows.
If you manage a commercial property in Harrisburg, PA, and your parking lot needs cleaning before crack sealing or sealcoating, request an estimate from us. We can discuss the condition of your lot, the preparation it needs, and the right next step so your pavement maintenance starts on a properly cleaned surface.
