Learn when to sealcoat your asphalt parking lot.
Your parking lot as an important part of your business, and you want it to represent you and your brand as well as possible. A parking lot that is cracked and full of potholes, or even one that has been patched repeatedly, is not giving a strong first impression of your business. All those cracks and hole could even become a liability issue and cost you money in the long run. But repaving a parking lot is expensive, and parking lots seem to develop holes every year. Sealcoat can help prevent cracks and holes from forming and extend the life of your asphalt parking lot.
How Does Sealcoat Protect?
Sealcoating is a mixture of asphalt, tar, and other materials. It forms a hard, protective coating that shields the asphalt from the damage caused by sun, water, and traffic. Some people think sealcoating isn’t necessary, but if you don’t sealcoat your lot, it won’t last as long. An unsealed lot will likely only last five or six years before the asphalt starts breaking down. This happens because, without the sealcoat, the asphalt becomes hard and brittle, making it more susceptible to cracking. In the changing seasons, the temperature shifts and the presence of water cause more cracking. With the sealcoat, your asphalt is protected from this process, and the sealcoat will help any patches or repairs that you do need to hold longer. The sealcoat will even make the parking lot easier to clean.
When Should You Sealcoat?
When you first get your new parking lot, you should make sure you have it seal coated within the first 12 months. You can’t sealcoat it right away, because you have to give the asphalt time to harden and for the oils to escape. You don’t want to wait too long, however, because that is more time for the sun and weather to damage your unprotected asphalt.
Should You Reapply?
Yes, you should definitely reapply the seal coat periodically to save yourself from the hassle and expense of having your lot repaired or replaced. On average, the sealcoat will need to be reapplied every three to five years. If you’ve had especially hard winters or your lot has seen a lot of heavy loads and heavy use, it may need to be more often. Doing this regularly will ensure the longevity and beautiful appearance of your asphalt lot.
Asphalt Maintenance You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises
If you want to protect your asphalt and ensure it has a long lifespan, choose PTG Enterprises for your sealcoating and asphalt maintenance needs. We offer commercial concrete, masonry, asphalt installation, repair, and paving throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.
Tags: asphalt, My Pavement Guy, PTG Enterprises, Sealcoating
