An industrial facility with its vast turf expanses and regular deliveries and employee traffic is a special environment.
Landscaping can take a beating in this environment. But it is a big part of creating a positive, welcoming, professional-looking appearance.
What does that mean for you if you are the property manager? You have to stay on top of landscape-related issues.
Let’s narrow that to-do list of the most common industrial landscaping problems and how you can stay ahead of these issues to prevent bigger, more expensive problems down the road.
Industrial property landscaping can face quite a bit of challenging scenarios during its lifetime.
From vast concrete areas to regular foot and vehicle traffic to rain runoff, these outdoor areas can take a beating.
Let’s take a look at some common landscape problems and solutions you should stay ahead of if you manage an industrial facility.
It’s no big surprise that standing water would become an issue. They are instant trouble spots.
Not only can frequent standing water signal a nearby drainage problem, but water that stands for even only a few days can lead to increased mosquito populations. What’s more is that water will drag mud along with it … along walkways and into buildings. These areas basically become unusable.
As with any industrial landscaping problem, standing water can start small and lead to larger problems if ignored. Sometimes it takes some proper grading to fix the problem or manage the water flow. Other times, french drains, rain gardens or detention ponds can create a more permanent solution to a spot that tends to over-collect water.
Like standing water, as rain flows on a property over and over again, some common issues can emerge.
If there is a hilly spot that isn’t graded properly or maybe a retaining wall nearby wasn’t built properly or is no longer doing its job, then mud and debris will continue to move and leak onto walkways and create additional issues.
These threats include trip-and-fall hazards, as well as unattractive areas that don’t serve a useful or aesthetic purpose anymore.
The solution to this industrial properly landscaping issue is to evaluate the cause of the issue and fix it before it becomes a bigger – and costlier – problem.
Trees and shrubs on your industrial property landscaping that are left to grow wild can get unwieldy.
Not only are they unsightly to look at, but they can pose numerous safety and security hazards. Overgrown branches can get in the way of people walking on your site, as well as block doorways, windows, and delivery bays, creating security risks.
The solution to this challenge is to prune trees and shrubs twice annually: early summer and fall. Additionally, dormant pruning, which is pruning during the winter, can be less stressful on trees and ensure healthier plants.
When concrete or hardscapes buckle or roots grow and disrupt walkways, uneven ground can result. This can lead to a liability issue for industrial property facilities.
To fix this, assess the issue and decide what fix would be best long-term. For example, grading the soil, removing a tree that has impeding roots, or repairing hardscapes can be potential fixes for these situations.
To stay ahead of these issues, regularly checking hardscape stability and maintenance can help you stay ahead of safety issues on your industrial property landscaping.
Unsightly grass can be a common industrial landscaping problem. Compacted turf can cause everything from brown spots to weeds.
Annual aeration and overseeding in the fall can help prevent compacted turf, keeping it healthy and preventing you from having to add costly turf repairs to your commercial landscape budget.
Annual mulch is a great addition to any commercial property. It helps keep weeds at bay, retain soil moisture for plants, and instantly freshens your property visually.
Annual mulch applications are your best bet for your industrial property landscaping. Make sure your service provider applies it properly and to an adequate depth each year.
Trash pickup may seem like a simple one but, if left neglected for even a small amount of time, trash can pile up on industrial property landscaping. This trash includes twig and leaf litter that can result after a windy or stormy day.
Stay ahead of this one by including trash pickup and spring and fall cleanups in your service package.
A lack of color can dim your industrial property landscaping.
When done right, flowers designed and installed by a seasonal color or enhancement crew can bring a professional edge and greater attention to your property’s entryways. Well-designed seasonal color will stand out and have an immediate impact.
We know you have a lot of facilities and operations headaches that need your attention. Hopefully, this list helps you target the worst outdoor issues that face your industrial facility head-on so you can feel more confident.
If you find you’re not sure where to start, give KD Landscape a call. We can provide you with industrial property landscape maintenance in Greater Chicago that can proactively address your issues and keep your landscape growing healthy and looking great.
Want a more beautiful and safer Greater Chicago industrial property? Request a proposal for a customized plan. Together, we can help your facility look more professional and eye-pleasing.
Image Source: Puddle