A well-maintained parking lot is an essential part of any commercial property. Whether you own a shopping center, office building, or warehouse in Hattiesburg, MS, keeping your parking lot properly striped ensures safety, compliance, and a professional appearance. However, many business owners unknowingly make costly mistakes when striping their parking lots, leading to safety hazards, wasted space, and expensive corrections.
At Striping Bros, we’ve seen firsthand how poor planning, low-quality materials, and non-compliance can result in higher costs in the long run. To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’re breaking down the top 5 most common parking lot striping mistakes and how to fix them before they impact your business.
Understanding the common mistakes in parking lot striping can save you time and money in the long run. Ignoring these common mistakes in parking lot striping often leads to greater expenses and safety concerns.
For instance, many business owners overlook important common mistakes in parking lot striping, which can impact their reputation and client safety.
Common Mistakes in Parking Lot Striping
Mistake #1: Ignoring ADA Compliance
Addressing common mistakes in parking lot striping is crucial for maintaining compliance and providing a safe environment for your customers.
One of the biggest mistakes a business can make is failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Parking lots must meet federal ADA regulations, including the correct number of handicap-accessible spaces, proper striping, signage, and accessible routes.
Why This Costs You More:
❌ Legal Fines & Lawsuits: Non-compliance can result in fines up to $75,000 for a first violation and $150,000 for subsequent violations (ADA.gov).
❌ Lawsuits from Customers: Businesses risk lawsuits if individuals with disabilities cannot safely access their property.
❌ Re-striping Costs: If your parking lot isn’t ADA-compliant, you’ll need to pay for corrections and re-striping to meet legal requirements.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Follow ADA regulations: Ensure your parking lot includes one handicap space per 25 total spaces.
✅ Proper Sizing: Handicap spaces must be at least 8 feet wide with a 5-foot access aisle, while van-accessible spaces require 11 feet width.
✅ Bright Blue Markings & Signage: Clearly mark all ADA-compliant spaces with contrasting blue paint and proper signs.
Recognizing these common mistakes in parking lot striping can lead to better planning and execution of your parking area.
🔗 More information on ADA parking lot regulations: https://www.ada.gov/
Mistake #2: Using Low-Quality Paint & Materials
Using cheap, low-quality paint may save money upfront, but it fades faster, leading to frequent re-striping. In Hattiesburg, MS, where hot summers and heavy rainfall are common, poor-quality paint will fade, crack, and deteriorate within months.
By preventing common mistakes in parking lot striping, you ensure a better experience for your customers and reduce liability.
Why This Costs You More:
❌ Frequent Re-striping: Cheap paint requires more frequent maintenance, costing you more in the long run.
❌ Faded Markings Increase Liability: Customers and employees might park incorrectly or cause accidents due to unclear markings.
❌ Unprofessional Appearance: A faded, unkempt parking lot reduces curb appeal and customer trust.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Invest in High-Quality Paint: Use thermoplastic or high-durability traffic paint that withstands extreme weather.
✅ Regular Sealcoating: Protect your parking lot with a sealcoat every 2-3 years to extend the life of your pavement and markings.
✅ Hire Professionals: A professional striping company ensures the correct paint application and thickness for long-lasting results.
A well-designed parking lot avoids the common mistakes in parking lot striping that often plague many business properties.
🔗 Learn more about pavement maintenance: https://pavementinteractive.org/
Mistake #3: Poor Parking Lot Layout & Design
Not planning an efficient parking lot layout leads to wasted space, traffic congestion, and frustrated customers. Many business owners fail to consider the number of spaces needed, turning radius, or optimal flow of traffic.
Why This Costs You More:
❌ Less Parking Capacity: An inefficient layout can reduce the number of available parking spaces, limiting the number of customers your business can serve.
❌ Traffic Congestion & Accidents: Poorly placed lanes, sharp turns, or unclear directional markings can lead to traffic backups and vehicle damage.
❌ Expensive Re-Striping: Correcting a bad layout requires removing old paint, re-striping, and sometimes resurfacing the entire lot.
How to Avoid It:
Addressing common mistakes in parking lot striping will help maintain a professional image for your business.
✅ Work With Professionals: Hire experts to design your parking lot layout for optimal space utilization.
✅ Use the Right Parking Angles:
- 90° (Perpendicular Parking): Maximizes spaces in large lots.
- 45° & 60° Angled Parking: Increases traffic flow efficiency and improves visibility.
✅ Incorporate Traffic Flow Elements: Use directional arrows, stop bars, and pedestrian crossings for improved organization.
🔗 More on effective parking lot design: https://www.asphaltinstitute.org/
Mistake #4: Skipping Routine Maintenance
Many businesses wait too long to restripe or repair their parking lots, leading to faded markings, cracks, potholes, and poor visibility. Neglecting maintenance can create serious hazards for both drivers and pedestrians.
Why This Costs You More:
Many contractors can help fix these common mistakes in parking lot striping, ensuring your property looks its best.
❌ Liability Risks: Faded lines increase the chances of accidents, making property owners liable for damages or injuries.
❌ Higher Long-Term Costs: Small cracks or potholes worsen over time, leading to expensive repaving or resurfacing costs.
❌ Negative Customer Experience: A neglected lot makes your business look unprofessional and can drive away customers.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Schedule Inspections Every 6 Months: Check for fading, cracks, and potholes before they become major issues.
✅ Restripe Every 1-2 Years: Keep lines visible and ADA-compliant.
✅ Repair Cracks & Potholes Early: Fix minor damage before it escalates into costly repairs.
Mistake #5: Not Hiring a Professional Striping Company
Don’t let common mistakes in parking lot striping impact your business; rectify them as soon as possible.
Many business owners try to save money by hiring unqualified contractors or attempting DIY striping—only to realize later that the work is uneven, messy, and needs to be redone.
Why This Costs You More:
For assistance with common mistakes in parking lot striping, consider reaching out to professionals in your area.
Consulting with experts can help identify and rectify common mistakes in parking lot striping before they escalate.
Ultimately, being aware of common mistakes in parking lot striping can lead to significant cost savings and a better customer experience.
❌ Unprofessional Results: DIY jobs often result in crooked lines, improper spacing, and non-compliance with regulations.
❌ Time-Consuming Fixes: Hiring amateurs means you’ll likely need to pay for corrections or re-striping sooner than expected.
❌ Risk of Using the Wrong Paint: Using incorrect paint can lead to peeling, flaking, and rapid fading.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Hire Experienced Striping Contractors like Striping Bros for professional, long-lasting results.
✅ Request References & Portfolio Work before choosing a contractor.
✅ Ensure Proper Equipment is Used, including airless striping machines for precise lines.
Parking Lot Striping in Hattiesburg, MS & Surrounding Cities
At Striping Bros, we proudly provide parking lot striping, layout design, ADA compliance, warehouse striping, and traffic markings throughout Hattiesburg, MS, and surrounding areas, including:
📍 Petal, MS
📍 Sumrall, MS
📍 Purvis, MS
📍 Columbia, MS
📍 Oak Grove, MS
📍 Collins, MS
📍 Wiggins, MS
💡 Tip: A properly striped parking lot improves your business’s appearance, safety, and compliance. Don’t wait until faded lines create costly issues—contact Striping Bros today!
📞 Call us at (601) 520-1632
🌐 Visit: www.stripingbros.com
🔗 Get a Free Estimate Today! Click Here