As a business owner, you want your asphalt parking lot to make a good impression on your customers with smooth, nice-looking pavement. That requires seal coating from time to time to ensure that it maintains its good appearance and performance. If you try to save some money by skipping this maintenance, it will end up costing you more in the long run.
The following explains the basics of seal coating as well as when you should seal coat your asphalt parking lot:
What is seal coating?
Seal coating is the application of a mixture of asphalt or refined coal tar with clays, mineral fillers, and water. After application, the seal coating becomes hard and forms a protective coating that looks smooth and black.
Why is it necessary?
If you don’t seal coat your asphalt parking lot, it will probably only last about five to six years before it starts to break down. Seal coating can protect against water damage and corrosive materials while making repairs to cracks more effective. In addition, the process makes your parking lot easier to keep clean while improving its appearance.
If your parking lot doesn’t receive this treatment, the asphalt binder hardens, causing the asphalt to become weak and brittle as it’s exposed to the harsh Atlanta sunlight. As the weather heats up and cools down, the pavement expands and contacts, eventually causing cracks to form. They can then become worse as water gets into the cracks and freezes.
When should you seal coat your asphalt parking lot?
Your parking lot should be seal coated for the first time about 12 months after the asphalt surface is laid. This gives the pavement time for oils to escape so the surface is ready for sealer.
After the initial seal coating, it should be reapplied every three to five years to ensure that the appearance, performance, and longevity of your parking lot is protected. Over time, you’ll save a significant amount of money by investing in seal coating so your parking lot doesn’t have to be repaired or repaved more quickly.
To find out more
If you have an asphalt parking lot near the metro Atlanta area, contact Dykes Paving at 770-448-3392 for more information or to schedule seal coating. We stand behind our work 100% and are proud of the high quality of work we’ve delivered since 1968.
