How long do pavement markings last?

How do you remove a pavement marking?

What is pavement marking?

Pavement parking painted markings are found on highways and parking lots. There are dotted lines and solid lines. They are typically yellow or white and then there are symbols, usually in blue or red. But what do they all mean? Just in case you forgot your driver’s ed class lessons, read on as we review what Pavement Markings Mean: 

The White Lines: These pavement parking painted lines are to keep traffic moving in the same direction.  They are single broken lines, single solid lines, or double solid white lines, each with a different meaning: 

• Single Broken Lines: you can legally cross to change lanes if safe to do. 

• Single Solid Lines: These are no-cross lines due to hazard possibilities, usually found in busy intersections and the off/on ramp to highways. 

• Double Solid Lines: These are a no-cross line, typically as a barrier. 

Yellow Lines: These are to keep traffic separate as they travel in opposite directions. There are 4 different yellow lines, each having a specific meaning: 

• Broken Yellow Lines: If safe, these can be crossed in order to go around another vehicle. 

• Solid Yellow Lines: Passing is prohibited regardless of the driver’s view of safety. This is a ticketed offense if caught. 

• Solid Yellow Line Next to Broken Yellow Line: If you are driving on the right side of the yellow broken line, passing is legal. If you are on the solid yellow lines, you can not pass. 

• Double Solid Yellow Line: This is a no passing out of either lane. The only acceptable time to drive on the left side of this line is to make a left turn, the lane you’re in is blocked and signage indicates to go around, or if you are in an HOV lane with an entrance to the left. 

Edge Lines: These are solid pavement parking painted lines that go along the edge to indicate the lane ends and the shoulder begins. The two types of edge lines are:

• A solid white indicates the pavement’s right edge
• A solid yellow indicates either a divided highway, one-way, or the pavement’s left edge. 

Pavement parking painted arrows: These are indicating the direction you should follow. There may be one arrow or two arrows, depending on the parking lot. Be in the lane of the arrow you need to travel well before reaching the deciding point. 

Symbols: Diamond and HOV Lane symbols each have their own purpose. The diamond symbols indicate special purpose lanes like HOV lanes (High Occupancy Vehicles). Do not drive in an HOV lane if you can’t comply with the requirements and never drive in a diamond symbol painted lanes. 

What kind of paint is used for parking lot marking?

For parking stripes, the most common pavement parking paint is water-based acrylic. It has a high-level brightness so that is always visible, and it has excellent durability. A bonus is environmentally friendly pavement parking paint.

How to Do Parking Lot Marking get done? 

No, you don’t have to do your own pavement parking painting. Look through the yellow pages or search good for finding “Parking Lot Marking Services”. Like anything else, get several quotes and compare them.  

The typical way a line striping company does a parking lot, they rope off the area of the parking lot they are working to keep traffic out. Then with a line striping machine, they create an outline of their intended line or symbol. Then with all the lines drawn, they paint the lines and symbols. 

How long will a pavement marking last?

The average lifespan of pavement parking paint is typically nine to thirty-six months. There is a water-based paint that when painted a double thickness, can extend the life of the lines and symbols. 

There are a few different methods for removing pavement parking paint.