Spring Parking Lot Inspections for Ontario Churches: What to Look For

Spring is the most important inspection season for Ontario churches. Winter damage becomes visible, and early action can prevent costly repairs.

What to Check After Winter

1. New Cracks

Look for:

• Linear cracks along traffic patterns
• Alligator cracking (web-like patterns)
• Cracks wider than ¼ inch
• Cracks near drainage areas

2. Potholes

Check:

• Entrance and exit lanes
• Areas with previous cracking
• Low spots where water pools

3. Drainage Issues

Identify:

• Standing water 24 hours after rain
• Settled or sunken areas
• Blocked catch basins

4. Faded Markings

Assess:

• Line striping visibility
• Accessible parking symbols
• Fire lanes and no-parking zones

Why Spring Inspections Matter

Early identification allows:

• Budget planning for summer work
• Scheduling before peak wedding/event season
• Better contractor pricing
• Preventing small problems from becoming large ones

DIY vs Professional Inspection

What You Can Do

• Walk the entire lot
• Take photos of damage
• Note areas of concern
• Document for board review

When to Bring in a Professional

• Large campuses or visible damage
• Need for aerial/drone assessment
• Uncertain about repair vs replacement
• Require board-ready documentation

Creating an Action Plan

After inspection:

1. Prioritize issues (urgent/recommended/future)
2. Get quotes for necessary work
3. Schedule repairs for summer
4. Plan for seal coating if due

Documentation for Church Boards

Good documentation includes:

• Photos of all damage
• Severity assessment
• Cost estimates
• Recommended timeline
• Safety considerations