How to Build a Parking Lot
- 1). Hire a surveyor to produce an elevation map. This map will assist you in determining the best area to lay out the parking lot. The map will give you the details to know how much earth will have to be moved in specific locations to get the correct grade for the parking lot. You will want to design the parking lot so that it has a slope that drains water away from any planned buildings for the property. It is also important that the runoff does not flood any of the neighboring property. Try to slope the lot in such a way to take advantage of any natural drainage systems or storm sewers that are in the immediate area. You may need the surveyor to include recommendations for these considerations if you lack the skills to do it yourself.
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Heavy equipment is used to move and shape soil for a parking lot.Road Grader Leveling a Parking Lot image by Chuck Alexander from Fotolia.com
Drive stakes at the corners of the parking lot and use string to lay out the perimeter. Consult with the excavating company regarding how the exact markings need to be made for their heavy equipment to remove and shape the dirt. Even for relatively flat surfaces, all of the topsoil should be removed to expose the clay or more solid surface beneath the topsoil. The excavating company should be able to handle all of the work to produce the final slope and shape of the parking lot site. - 3
Rock is used to make a solid base for a parking lot.gravel texture image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
Install any tubing that will be needed for drains or other needs. Place a barrier over the entire parking lot area. This barrier can be plastic sheathing or some other material that will block moisture and prevent plant growth. Spread 3 to 6 inches of 1 1/2- to 2-inch rock over the parking area. This rock should be evenly spread. Use a tractor and blade or some type of grader, depending on the size of the lot, to do this. Cover this larger rock with a 2-inch layer of 1/2-inch rock. For the best results, bring in a steam or other heavy roller to compact the rock. If you are building a gravel lot, all that remains is to complete the landscaping around the lot and it is ready for use. For other parking lot surfaces, more steps are needed. - 4
Asphalt is the most common hard surface for parking lots.asphalt image by Gudellaphoto from Fotolia.com
Hire a paving company to install an asphalt surface unless you have the equipment and skill to do this. Carefully check references to make sure that previous jobs have been completed on time, with good materials, and at the proper depth of asphalt. Many asphalt companies fail to install enough product to achieve enough depth. A minimum of 2 inches of asphalt should be laid. Installing 3 inches is better. All drain covers should be in place so that the asphalt will not prevent their installation later. - 5). Stripe the lot to complete the job. Most professionals who stripe parking lots will do the job for about the cost that you can buy the paint. This is a job that is really better left to the professionals. Check local ordinances regarding the size of the parking spaces and the number of handicap spaces that will be required. You will need to wait about 24 hours after the striping is completed to begin parking cars on the lot.
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