Why Asphalt Sealcoating?
Asphalt sealcoating is one of the most vital pavement maintenance services. It plays an integral role in protecting your pavement from the many damaging elements it encounters. Parking lots, driveways and other asphalt surfaces experience non-stop exposure to harsh UV rays from the sun, rough weather, rain, leaking vehicle oil, chemicals and much more. That exposure takes a toll on asphalt.
UV exposure can lead to oxidation, resulting in premature deterioration while making your pavement more susceptible to cracking, chemical damage and more. It turns your once-reliable paving into a brittle, crack-prone mess. Without sealing, water can flow into cracks and wreak havoc on your pavement’s foundation, leading to potholes, structural failure and more.
Asphalt sealcoating protects your pavement from all of that and more. Once cured, sealer forms a protective barrier that shields the pavement from weathering, wear, water infiltration and more. Furthermore, it maintains your pavement’s beautiful finish while prolonging its lifespan.
How Often Is Parking Lot Striping Needed?
How often you need parking lot striping service varies based on many factors, including the amount of traffic your pavement receives, its exposure to the elements, the quality of paint you use and more. For stripes applied with standard water-based or solvent-based paints, contractors typically recommend restriping surfaces every 18 to 24 months to maintain optimal visibility. However, parking lots with more exposure to harsh climates or heavy-duty traffic may require more frequent restriping to maintain visibility, traffic efficiency and safety.
Higher-quality paints may last longer, but the goal is to invest in striping services whenever your existing markings lose roughly 25 percent of their visibility. The best way to stay on top of striping is to get frequent inspections. During an inspection, contractors will assess the condition of your striping and consider all relevant factors to help you determine when it’s time to get fresh striping.
Is Asphalt Crack Filling Necessary?
Crack filling is absolutely necessary and should be a part of your regular parking lot maintenance routine. While cracks are normal, they’re not something you should ignore. Over time, cracks can widen and spread. Even worse, they can invite water to penetrate your pavement’s foundation. Small voids can become potholes, foundational damage, structural integrity issues and premature failure without crack filling.
Repairing cracks protects your investment, optimizing pavement longevity while helping you avoid more severe damage. It also helps maintain safety, ensuring that cracks don’t become tripping hazards for pedestrians. Pair all that with the aesthetic improvements that come with crack filling, and it’s a service you should get regularly. Crack filling is an essential preventative service that protects and maintains the integrity of your asphalt surfaces.
Should I Repair Potholes Prior to Sealcoating?
Contrary to popular belief, asphalt sealcoating isn’t a fix-all solution to major damage. It’s a fantastic way to breathe new life into your pavement while protecting it against damaging factors. However, it won’t address serious issues like potholes.
Therefore, you must perform all repairs before sealcoating. Hire contractors to patch potholes, fill cracks and address any other defects on your paving. Failing to repair potholes will cause the damage to worsen. Sealcoating applies a protective barrier over your asphalt but won’t fix the underlying issues. As a result, your pavement will continue to deteriorate regardless of how much you seal it. Fixing it beforehand is the only way to restore your pavement’s integrity and prevent further damage.
Will Sealcoating Cover Stains on My Asphalt Pavement?
The asphalt emulsion sealers used by sealcoating contractors can transform your pavement. It can significantly improve the appearance of faded or discolored asphalt. However, it doesn’t always cover deeply penetrating, stubborn stains. Sealer quality varies, and premium materials make a difference, but whether or not sealcoating can cover stains depends on its severity.
If your asphalt has severe staining, consult an experienced contractor. After assessing the stain closely, they may recommend deep cleaning and stain removal before applying sealer. Contractors may also pre-treat stained areas of your asphalt to ensure the sealer forms a tight bond on your pavement despite the staining.
When Should I Get My Asphalt Pavement Sealed?
Asphalt surfaces need regular sealing to maintain protection. Contractors typically recommend sealcoating every two to five years, depending on the climate, condition of your pavement, its age, traffic level, etc. Regular inspections and guidance from sealcoating experts are the best ways to develop a sealing schedule that benefits your pavement.
The best time to perform sealcoating is in the warmer months when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Asphalt sealers need time to cure and rely on evaporation to bond to your pavement. The product can’t cure properly in extreme cold, heat, humidity or inclement weather. Contractors must be mindful of the weather forecast during and after application to ensure the sealer can bond without compromise.
How Do I Maintain My Asphalt to Keep It Looking Good for Years to Come?
You can do many things to protect your investment and keep your asphalt paving looking its best for decades. The first is to make a habit of cleaning it regularly. Pick up trash, sweep away debris and trim surrounding vegetation. It’s also wise to wash the surface periodically using a stiff-bristled brush to eliminate grime. If you notice any spills or chemical leaks, clean them up as soon as possible. Allowing dirt and grime to accumulate on your pavement can result in oxidation, deterioration and cracking.
Next, repair cracks regularly. Shallow surface cracks benefit from crack filling at least once annually. Meanwhile, severe working cracks require immediate attention. Regular crack repairs will prevent water infiltration that can lead to potholes and structural damage.
For all other forms of damage, get immediate repairs. Whether it’s a pothole, rutting or other defects, timely service will mitigate the risk of further harm and protect your pavement from degradation.
With help from a seasoned contractor, seal your pavement every few years. Sealcoating protects the pavement from weather damage, exposure and wear. Finally, be mindful of the traffic that uses your pavement. Because contractors engineer and build surfaces based on intended traffic, heavy vehicles and equipment could create unnecessary stress that leads to damage.
When Is Asphalt Repair Needed?
It’s important to get asphalt repairs whenever serious damage affects your pavement. Obvious signs of damage and degradation require immediate attention. These include potholes, rutting, crumbling edges, pooling water, drainage problems, etc.
Failing to get timely repairs could exacerbate the problem and create even worse damage. The longer you wait to get repairs, the worse things can get. Every form of damage has a risk of spreading and allowing water to infiltrate the pavement’s foundation. Prompt attention from professional repair contractors is key to restoring safety, integrity and longevity.