If you own, manage, or work in a busy warehouse, you know just how important each and every loading dock is to your bottom line. When these portals become obstructed or misaligned, your operations can grind to a halt. Deteriorated asphalt is often the main culprit of loading dock inefficiencies, making it difficult for trucks to accurately dock at a given bay door. Conducting periodic repairs and regular maintenance is necessary for keeping everything on schedule. That said, these tasks can become obstacles in their own right. With that in mind, here’s how to best tackle active driveway repavement and repair projects in a busy loading area.
How to Tackle Active Driveway Repavement in a Busy Loading Dock
Get It Done After Hours
Different businesses operate on different schedules, but most warehouses have at least several hours of downtime each day. The best time to engage in driveway pothole repair, crack filling, repaving, or any other asphalt project is when there aren’t any trucks on the horizon for some time. Depending on your warehouse’s level of activity you might not have enough time to complete a repaving project (and have it ready for active use) in between these breaks, but getting a headstart can be a major boon.
Work on One Dock at a Time
Most warehouses feature multiple loading bays. Ideally, several bays will remain available even if one or two require driveway repaving. Even if your entire loading area could use asphalt maintenance, it’s best to tackle one lane at a time if possible, prioritizing those areas that are most damaged. This way, you can still use a portion of your loading dock without blocking it off entirely.
Make Sure There’s Enough Room to Maneuver
Things can get tight at a loading dock, especially when you’re dealing with larger trucks. If you’re not strategic in your approach to pavement repair, you might make it difficult for trucks to avoid the work zone and still dock in the appropriate lane. Put simply, you must provide plenty of space for trucks to get in and out while still cordoning off the lane(s) being repaved. Otherwise, you can end up with major disruptions and messes.
Adjust Operations Accordingly
Most warehouses run like clockwork to keep everything flowing as efficiently as possible. As such, specific trucks usually have a set routine, docking at the same bay time after time. Likewise, warehouse employees will be used to their routine, setting up at the right door at specific times. During driveway repavement, these usual operations may get moved around – trucks might be required to dock at different bays, arrive at different times, stagger their shipments, etc. Careful coordination between personnel, truck drivers, and commercial paving contractors is key.
Don’t Neglect Line Striping
Painted lines guide drivers as they back into loading docks and maintain enough space between each vehicle. After driveway repaving, previously established lines will be missing, so new lines will need to be painted after the pavement has set. This is the final step in restoring a loading area’s asphalt.
Work with the Right Industrial Paving Company
There’s no easy way to oversee driveway repavement in a busy loading dock, so every bit of help is appreciated. The more experienced your contractor, the smoother your project will go. At Cassidy Paving, we have plenty of experience repairing and repaving asphalt in various commercial and industrial facilities throughout New England. We carefully plan every project to minimize disruptions, maximize safety, and ensure superior results. Call us today at 866-978-9788 to receive a free estimate on your next asphalt project.