Maintaining a clean and safe commercial carpark requires strong attention to dust control. High-traffic areas like carparks collect dirt and debris quickly, which creates hazards for vehicles, visitors, and staff. Unfortunately, dust is an insidious invader in most carparks, and is made up of many different compounds that aren’t friendly to the human body.
Dust causes all kinds of issues in carparks, warehouses, and similar facilities around the world. It’s incredibly important to ensure that you have dust control measures in place, to protect the people using your carpark. Controlling and eliminating dust will help reduce the amount particles that people inhale.
At Sydney Sweep and Scrub, our skilled team provides expert sweeping and scrubbing services that effectively target dust at the source. In this article, we explain why dust builds up in carparks, why it’s essential to manage it, and how you can keep your facility clean with practical dust prevention strategies.
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Why are carparks so prone to dust?
Carparks collect dust because they experience constant vehicle and foot traffic. Outdoor carparks often face exposure to wind, rain, and construction site runoff. Wind blows in dirt and debris, while rain temporarily dampens the surface before it dries and leaves behind compacted grime.
Indoor parking garages also collect dust, though the process is often less visible. Tyre friction stirs up fine particles, and poor ventilation allows them to settle in corners and traffic lanes.
The surface material contributes to the issue too. Most carparks use concrete, which naturally wears down over time. As concrete deteriorates, it produces fine dust particles that quickly become airborne when disturbed. Without regular cleaning or sealing, this problem worsens over time.
The importance of controlling and reducing dust
Controlling dust improves safety, supports health, and helps meet maintenance standards.
Improve safety
Dust reduces surface grip, which increases the risk of slips, falls, or vehicle skids. In enclosed carparks, it also reduces visibility and affects lighting conditions.
Protect health
Fine dust particles affect air quality, especially in enclosed parking structures. These particles can trigger allergies and respiratory issues in staff and visitors.
Meet compliance and reduce costs
Commercial dust control helps meet safety and cleanliness standards. Dust can also damage cleaning equipment and vehicle paint and clog ventilation systems. Removing dust regularly protects your infrastructure and reduces long-term repair costs.
6 tips for dust control in parking facilities
Here are 6 actionable tips to promote better dust control in your parking lot.
1. Schedule regular mechanical sweeping
Use mechanical sweepers to remove dust and debris from the carpark surface. Sydney Sweep and Scrub operates ride-on sweepers with built-in dust filters that trap fine particles. This prevents dust from spreading during cleaning. For most facilities, weekly or bi-weekly sweeping provides effective dust control.
2. Use ride-on scrubbing for deep cleaning
Mechanical scrubbing targets dirt that sweeping alone can’t remove. Ride-on scrubbers use water and cleaning solutions to lift stains, grime, and oil residue from concrete surfaces. This process prevents the buildup of sticky particles that attract and trap dust.
3. Apply targeted dust suppression methods
Install water-based dust suppression systems in exposed or dusty environments. These systems spray a fine mist that settles airborne particles before they spread. While indoor carparks may not need this method, outdoor and industrial sites benefit from this added layer of dust control.
4. Maintain concrete surfaces
Damaged concrete produces more dust. Cracks, surface flaking, and rough textures allow dust to settle and re-enter the air easily. Resurface worn concrete through grinding and polishing to seal it properly and reduce particle generation. Sydney Sweep and Scrub provides concrete polishing that makes surfaces easier to clean and maintain.
5. Refresh line marking to improve flow
Well-marked carparks reduce sudden braking, tyre skidding, and sharp turning. These driving habits wear down the surface and increase dust. Clear line marking helps vehicles move smoothly and protects the concrete. Repainting faded lines supports safety and keeps your carpark looking professional.
6. Encourage better housekeeping practices
Encourage tenants or onsite businesses to keep shared spaces clean. Ask them to avoid storing dusty items or creating debris in high-traffic areas. Install entry mats at pedestrian points to reduce the spread of dirt. Regular visual checks also help you identify and address dust problems early.
Get a quote for expert sweeping and scrubbing today
At Sydney Sweep and Scrub, we understand that dust control in a carpark isn’t a one-off task, but a continuous process. It requires expert attention, the right equipment, and a proactive approach. Our commercial dust control services are designed to suit facilities of all sizes, from small private lots to large multi-storey parking garages.
