When it comes to maintaining your property’s pavement, it’s easy to overlook the importance of sealcoating. However, sealcoating asphalt is a crucial step in protecting and prolonging the lifespan of asphalt pavement.
What is Asphalt Sealcoating?
Asphalt sealcoating involves sealing asphalt cracks to prevent ice and water from entering and disturbing the integrity of your parking lot. Over time, rain, oil and other chemicals degrade asphalt, creating a rough surface that is both unsafe and unappealing.
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever – and that includes asphalt pavement. But that doesn’t mean you can’t extend the life of your asphalt parking lot (and improve its life-cycle cost) with timely repair and maintenance, like sealcoating.
Why Do You Need it?
Sealcoating won’t cure existing issues like cracks, but it will help prevent those damages from forming in the first place. Aside from keeping out damaging elements, properly applying a sealcoat is essential to extend the life of asphalt paving.
When it comes to longevity and visual appeal of your asphalt surfaces, you need to invest in asphalt sealcoating. There are five main benefits of sealcoating asphalt that you’ll see immediately after this service has been completed.
1. Prevents water intrusion beneath the surface.
Because almost all sealers contain fine aggregate, sealcoating fills the hairline cracks that are a tell-tale sign of asphalt aging. By filling these cracks, you’re reducing the likelihood that water will be able to find its way beneath the asphalt pavement surface. The longer you can keep water out, the longer your pavement will last.
While your asphalt surface can withstand water, too much moisture buildup can weaken the surface and cause discoloration, cracks and a rough appearance. Taking the time to invest in asphalt sealcoating will ensure your asphalt surface stays healthy and visually appealing for years to come.
2. Protects the asphalt from oil and gasoline.
Because asphalt is petroleum-based, any petroleum-based liquid that leaks on it will join with the binder and soften the asphalt surface. This liquid penetration opens the door to even quicker and more extensive damage to the pavement. Sealcoating will protect your pavement from leaks of this type. If your parking lot contains any of those black oil spots, they must be repaired prior to being seal-coated. Failure to adequately repair these oil spots means the sealer will have no impact on those areas of the pavement and any damage will continue to spread.
3. Enhances flexibility of asphalt.
Asphalt pavement is termed a “flexible” surface as opposed to concrete pavement, which is “rigid.” When cars and trucks drive over asphalt pavement, it essentially flexes minimally under their weight. As pavement ages and becomes brittle, the pavement flexes less and traffic can create cracks. By applying sealers regularly, you help the pavement retain its flexibility and slow down the deterioration of its surface.
4. Extends pavement life.
The combined impact of each sealcoating aspect allows property owners to extend the lives of their pavement. A well-constructed asphalt pavement can last well beyond 15 years when properly maintained, and sealcoating is an essential part of that maintenance process.
5. Saves you money!
Research has shown that over a 15-year period, a properly maintained 10,000-sq.-ft. parking lot can save a property manager thousands when compared to the same parking lot that is not properly maintained. This investment pays off in your bank account and in your parking lot.
There’s even one more benefit to sealcoating: the aesthetics, or “curb appeal.” Sealcoating provides a fresh, black, clean appearance. When topped off by fresh pavement markings, your parking lot will look stunning. As one of the first aspects of your property that people see, sealcoating and stripping your pavement on a regular basis will allow you to continue to make a great first impression. Sealcoating and stripping are one of the easiest and most cost-effective steps you can take to improve the look of your property.
Is your parking lot overdue for a sealcoat?
Sealcoating is an essential process for the health and longevity of your asphalt pavement services. If you’re interested in learning more about the process or are ready to schedule a sealcoating service, give Sipes Asphalt and Concrete! We’ve been keeping asphalt beautiful and damage-free for years, and we would be honored to provide you with the clean, professional and timely service you deserve. Contact us today to find out how we can help you keep your pavement in tip-top shape for years to come.
