Parking lots are necessary for commercial properties because they provide people with convenient places to park their cars. However, they naturally experience wear and tear over the years from all the traffic—they stain and crack at a much faster rate than concrete does. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution for the inevitable damage: sealcoating. Sealcoating involves applying a thin liquid layer over a paved surface to create a tough, uniform buffer and, ultimately, to renew asphalt driveways and parking lots. Below, we identify five reasons to have your asphalt parking lot seal-coated.
It’s Cost-Effective
One of the biggest benefits of sealcoating is that you’ll pay less for parking lot repairs over time. While sealcoating doesn’t prevent small cracks, it keeps them from developing into larger ones and causing costly asphalt failure—essentially, you avoid expensive services down the road. Fully repaving a parking lot isn’t just troublesome—it will also cost you more than sealcoating. Although pricing varies based on the preparation, the method used, the amount of time the job takes, and the size of your parking lot, the total cost is doable for any property owner. Therefore, although you must pay for it upfront, sealcoating saves you money because you won’t have to repair your parking lot as often as you would have to without a sealer. Ideally, you should seal your parking lot every two to three years; this preventative service can ultimately save you thousands of dollars.
It Enhances Your Parking Lot’s Appearance
Business owners and property managers often overlook the maintenance of their asphalt surfaces. However, when people visit a building, one of the first things they notice is the parking lot. After all, parking lots make up about 40 percent of a typical city’s paved surface area. To increase your parking lot’s value and to encourage positive first impressions, you want to keep your lot looking its best. Asphalt surfaces tend to crack and lose their rich, jet-black color over time, but sealcoating will make your existing asphalt appear darker and any paint appear brighter. In other words, your parking lot will look brand-new again, and in turn, it will appear more professional and inviting to the community.
It Extends Pavement Life
Asphalt is durable, but as with anything, it can’t last forever. The weather can wreak havoc on pavement, causing it to deteriorate prematurely. Even the sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage your parking lot because they dry out the asphalt. However, that doesn’t mean you should let it continue to break down. Regularly scheduled sealcoating maintenance can drastically extend your pavement’s life—we’re talking up to 30 years of defense. This is because a sealer acts as a powerful protective layer against damage, helping the pavement maintain its strength and flexibility without giving under pressure.
Sealcoating also minimizes water penetration because it acts as a waterproofing agent. Water may seem harmless, but it can contribute to large issues in the future. Water fills in cracks and expands in freezing temperatures, causing even more cracks in the pavement. Additionally, sealcoating slows oxidation caused by harsh weather conditions. Your parking lot needs its asphalt binder and surface oils to stay intact—if it loses these materials due to oxidization, it can become brittle. For maximum usability and protection against the elements, consider investing in a sealer for your parking lot.
It Improves Safety
Drivers expect parking lots to be safe. Thankfully, because a sealer makes the asphalt’s markings pop, it will make your parking lot safer and more functional. Sealcoating also adds friction to asphalt pavements, so cars are less likely to slip in icy or rainy conditions. A sealer also prevents debris from putting your safety at risk. Sealcoating smooths your parking lot’s surface, making it easier to clean—all you must do is sweep it in the summer or shovel it in the winter. Throughout the seasons, rain will easily wash away any dirt and snow won’t freeze on top of the sealcoat. Additionally, freeze-thaw cycles don’t affect sealed surfaces, meaning that sealcoating prevents cracks, potholes, and other dangerous imperfections that can cause accidents and car damage.
It Protects Against Hazardous Chemicals
Finally, sealcoating acts as a shield against chemical spills and stains. Because your parking lot is porous, road salt and automotive fluids such as antifreeze, gas, and oil can dissolve into the asphalt and soften it over time. These substances can cause more damage than you might think, so thoroughly protect your investment from chemicals and other harmful contaminants by sealcoating it. Once you seal your parking lot, these types of pollutants won’t be able to penetrate the pavement and damage it.
As you can see, sealcoating offers a host of benefits. Before you seal your parking lot, you’ll first need to prepare it. Make note of any defects in your parking lot that you must repair prior to sealcoating, such as cracks, potholes, and oil spots. Once you have fixed these blemishes, your lot is ready for sealer—just keep in mind that your parking lot must be completely dry before you seal it.
Article Source: https://www.paragon-protection.com/5-reasons-to-have-your-parking-lot-seal-coated/
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