Many property managers are amazed to find how much faster and cheaper it is to have an asphalt parking lot built than to have a concrete lot installed. The parking lot could be accepting vehicle traffic within two to three days, but a comparable concrete lot can take anywhere from one to four weeks before it can be opened. Asphalt is budget-friendly, but you should be proactive about your preventive maintenance if you want to save even more money. The first item on your maintenance list should be sealcoating.
Will Sealcoating My Asphalt Parking Lot Save Money?
What Is Sealcoating?
Asphalt sealcoating, also known as asphalt sealing, is the application of a protective coating called a sealcoat or sealant. Parking lot sealcoating is typically performed by an asphalt maintenance contractor, but some paving companies also offer the service. The sealant goes on as a liquid, and it bonds to the pavement to form a hard, durable shield.
What Are the Benefits of Asphalt Sealcoating?
On their own, asphalt pavements have little or no protection from the ravages of the sun, automotive fluids, and corrosive chemicals. The sun turns asphalt brittle and dry, automotive fluids make it soft and crumbly, and certain chemicals can leave pavements splotchy, brittle, or soft. The sun also turns asphalt pavement from black to gray or brown. Asphalt sealcoating is a very effective sunblock, and it offers enhanced protection against vehicle fluids and corrosive chemicals. It can also restore the luxurious, dark color that your asphalt parking lot had when it was first constructed.
How Much Will Sealcoating My Parking Lot Save?
The Department of Transportation in several states conducted extensive studies on the amount of money that can be saved by effectively maintaining asphalt pavements. The results show that spending $1 on asphalt sealcoating and other maintenance services, including timely asphalt crack repair, will save between $8 and $10 down the road. In some instances, the savings were even greater.
How Do Asphalt Contractors Apply Parking Lot Sealcoating?
Typically, the first thing the contractor’s crew will do upon arriving at the site is to set up traffic control measures. If an asphalt crack repair or other type of repair is needed, this will be done. The pavement will be scrupulously cleaned, encroaching vegetation will be trimmed, and the crew will make any necessary cut-ins along the edges or around buildings. A thin coat of sealant will be applied with a sprayer, squeegee, or both. After this coat dries, a second thin coat will be applied. In some situations, a third coat of sealant will need to be applied in areas that receive the most wear, which are normally the areas where vehicles are accelerating or stopping frequently. If the lot is large, most parking lot sealcoating contractors will divide the job into sections so that they can keep different parts of the lot open throughout the job.
The Surface Masters Is the Only Asphalt Company You Need
The Surface Masters is a well-respected company offering our paving services to clients in the greater Atlanta area. We can pave, sealcoat, stripe, and repair asphalt pavements of all sizes. Whether you need asphalt paving, a simple asphalt crack repair, or a concrete installation or repair, you can count on us for exceptional craftsmanship, professional project management, and remarkable customer service. If you would like to get a free quote, you can fill out the online request form, call 770-250-6392, or send an email to Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com.
