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Winterizing ADA Markings: Liability in Blaine & Everson Climates

Winter Maintenance & Liability

Updated January 2026

Executive Summary

The northern tier of Whatcom County—specifically the border community of Blaine and the agricultural hub of Everson—endures a microclimate more severe than Bellingham. The combination of intense wind-driven rain off Semiahmoo Bay and freezing fog from the Nooksack River creates a "perfect storm" for ADA liability. Standard blue parking zone paint can become dangerously slick in these conditions, failing ASTM slip-resistance standards. This guide explains why the "Blue Ice" effect happens and how property owners can mitigate slip-and-fall risks using thermoplastic and aggregate-infused paints.

The "Blue Ice" Effect: Weather vs. Paint

In the paving industry, we refer to large painted areas without additives as "skating rinks." Traffic paint typically contains acrylic resins which, when cured, form a smooth, plastic-like surface.

The Physics of the Fall:
When rain hits asphalt, the texture of the rock (aggregate) usually provides traction for shoes. However, an ADA handicap stall is often painted with a solid blue background box. When water sits on top of this smooth paint, the Coefficient of Friction (COF) drops drastically. If the temperature in Everson drops to 30°F, that water turns to a thin sheen of ice, making the blue box indistinguishable from the surrounding pavement but significantly more slippery.

Tale of Two Cities: Blaine & Everson Risks

While both cities are in Whatcom County, they face distinct winter threats that degrade standard ADA markings.

Blaine: The Salt Air Factor

Properties along Peace Portal Drive and near the Semiahmoo Resort are exposed to salt air and high winds.

The Problem: Salt is corrosive. It breaks down the chemical bonds in cheaper waterborne paints, causing them to flake (delaminate) from the asphalt. Furthermore, the high volume of heavy trucks exiting the Peace Arch Border Crossing or utilizing the SR 543 Truck Route puts immense torque on these weakened markings. A standard painted blue box in Blaine often peels up in sheets after a single winter season.

Everson: The Freeze-Thaw Cycle

Everson sits in the Nooksack Valley. In winter, cold air sinks into the valley floor, creating freezing fog even when Bellingham is clear.

The Problem: The Freeze-Thaw Cycle. During the day, rain seeps into microscopic cracks in the asphalt. At night, that water freezes and expands. If the ADA paint has compromised the surface seal, the ice pops the paint off the road. Industrial lots along Everson Goshen Road are particularly susceptible, as forklifts and delivery vans grind this brittle, frozen paint into dust.

The Liability Trap: ASTM Slip Resistance

If a customer slips on your ADA marking, their lawyer will likely reference ASTM D2047 or ASTM E303. These are the industry standards for static coefficient of friction.

The 0.50 Threshold: Generally, a surface must have a COF of at least 0.50 to be considered "slip-resistant." Standard traffic paint, when wet, can drop below this number.

The "Sand" Solution

To combat this, LineMark Striping does not apply "neat" (pure) paint to large surface areas like blue ADA boxes. We inject anti-skid aggregate (often silica sand or aluminum oxide) into the wet paint. This creates a sandpaper-like texture that provides mechanical grip for wheelchair tires, crutch tips, and winter boots, raising the COF well above the 0.50 safety threshold.

Winterizing Solutions: Paint vs. Thermoplastic

For high-risk properties in Blaine and Everson, we recommend moving beyond standard paint for your critical safety markings.

Option A: High-Build Paint with Aggregate

Best For: Low-traffic retail lots (e.g., small plazas on Main Street Everson).
We apply a thicker coat of chlorinated rubber or high-performance acrylic paint and broadcast coarse sand into the binder. This is a cost-effective way to add traction, though it will need to be refreshed every 1-2 years due to plow damage.

Option B: Preformed Thermoplastic (The "Gold Standard")

Best For: High-traffic commercial zones (e.g., Blaine Cost Cutter area, gas stations).
Preformed thermoplastic ADA symbols are melted into the asphalt with a torch. They come from the factory with high-friction anti-skid material embedded throughout the entire thickness of the symbol.

  • Immune to Delamination: Because it is fused to the road, water cannot get under it to freeze and pop it off.
  • Permanent Friction: The grit doesn't wear off; it is part of the material.

The September Audit: Don't Wait for Snow

In Whatcom County, the striping season effectively ends in mid-October when the rains become constant. Attempting to paint a blue box in 45°F drizzle is a recipe for failure—the paint will not bond.

Property managers must conduct their ADA Safety Audit in September. Check your blue zones:

  • Is the paint flaking? (Freeze/thaw risk)
  • Is the surface smooth and shiny? (Slip risk)
  • Is the white ISA symbol faded? (Visibility risk)

The Bottom Line: In Blaine and Everson, an ADA space is more than just a legal requirement; it is a safe harbor for your most vulnerable visitors. Winterizing these markings with grit and durability ensures that safe harbor remains safe, even when the Nooksack Valley freezes over.