There are several excellent reasons to choose asphalt for your paving project. Asphalt pavements are rapid to construct, economically priced, visually appealing, and completely recyclable. Furthermore, when given proper maintenance, asphalt pavement can have a useful life that is surprisingly long. When you are creating a routine maintenance plan for your pavement, one procedure that you want to be sure to include is asphalt sealcoating.

What Is Asphalt Sealcoating?

Sealcoating is a protective treatment that is applied as a liquid, then allowed to cure before traffic is given access to the pavement. As the sealant cures, it forms a tough shell over the pavement. Typically, the area can begin accepting traffic the day after sealcoating contractors apply the sealant. When sealcoating parking lots, contractors frequently divide the pavement into sections so that part of the lot can remain open at all times.

What Does Asphalt Sealcoating Protect Against?

Sealcoating protects your pavement against its most formidable enemies: automotive fluids and UV rays. Automotive fluids, including diesel, gasoline, oil, and power steering fluid, turn asphalt pavement into a soft, crumbly spot that can quickly become a pothole. UV rays turn asphalt pavements brittle and dry, making them more likely to develop significant cracks. By blocking UV rays and slowing deterioration from automotive fluids, a quality sealcoat indirectly helps protect against a third powerful enemy, which is water. When water enters through cracks or other pavement breaks, it can destabilize the supporting foundation. A weak, destabilized foundation will lead to more cracking, including a special type of damage known as alligator cracking, as well as larger and more numerous potholes.

How Often Should I Sealcoat My Asphalt Pavement?

The answer depends on the type of asphalt pavement you have, but the first application should be completed as soon as the asphalt has exhausted any excess oil through the curing process. Depending on the season and the depth of the pavement, curing can take anywhere from two months to more than nine months; the asphalt paving company installing your pavement can give you a more precise time for the initial application. After that, you will need to sealcoat your pavement at the intervals recommended by your paving maintenance contractor. Most parking lot maintenance contractors recommend applying a fresh sealcoat about every two years, but a residential driveway may only need an application every four or five years.

What Else Should I Know About Sealcoating Parking Lots and Other Asphalt Pavements?

Asphalt sealing is a highly cost-effective method that should be a part of every asphalt maintenance program for several reasons.

1. Since reputable sealcoating contractors will repair significant cracks or other damage first, you have the opportunity to address any cracks that might have been overlooked during your routine parking lot maintenance inspections.
2. When sealcoating parking lots, you should be prepared to have your lines and markings repainted immediately because the sealcoat will obscure them.
3. Sealcoating should never be applied too thickly. Typically, sealcoating is applied in two thin coats, and the first coat is allowed to dry before the second coat is applied.
4. Sealcoating is very sensitive to the weather, so do not be surprised if your contractor needs to delay your job due to changes in the forecast.
5. Sealcoating parking lots can often double or even triple the useful life of the pavement.
6. You do not want to sealcoat your pavement too often. Instead, you want to wait until the existing sealcoat is almost worn away before you repeat the procedure.

Let B&E Coating Services Provide You With Exceptional Asphalt Sealcoat Work at Reasonable Rates

We are a well-respected, highly experienced company specializing in the maintenance and repair of asphalt pavements. Our services include asphalt crack repair, sealcoating, asphalt patching, infrared asphalt repair, parking lot striping, asphalt milling, parking lot sweeping, asphalt paving, pothole repair, and power washing. We also construct and repair concrete, repair drains and catch basins, and repair gravel driveways. We have an exceptional reputation for service and workmanship. If you are interested in receiving a free quote, complete the online request form, or call 800-SEAL-817.