Sealcoating is one of the most important aspects of a successful pavement preservation program. Implementing one to maintain your asphalt parking lot is essential for your business and could save you a significant amount in the end. Understanding what sealcoating is and what it does for your asphalt will help you justify the added expense.
Many business owners or property managers often schedule their annual maintenance around the seasons. Whether the business has seasonal traffic or the weather changes, it is always good to take these into consideration when scheduling your sealcoating.
Given the time of the year, you may want to wait until next year for some of your maintenance projects. Whether for planning, financial reasons, or timing, it might not be in your best interest to forego sealcoating.
Should you wait until Spring to sealcoat your parking lot?
The short answer is – no.
The longer answer is a bit more complex. There are several advantages to sealcoating your parking lot now, versus waiting until Spring. We’re going to point out a few of them today to help you properly care for your asphalt.
1. Prevent Winter Damage
Varying temperatures come with the winter weather. The warmer days and cooler nights cause the asphalt to expand and contract. While asphalt is designed to be flexible, some of this ability is lost as the asphalt ages. Applying a sealer will help the pavement retain its flexibility and slow its aging. So if you are thinking about waiting until Spring to sealcoat, we suggest you not with the changing weather patterns quickly approaching.
2. Prevent Water Intrusion
By applying a layer of sealant to the surface of your pavement, you are also creating a barrier to moisture. You might not notice, but there are likely several hairline cracks in your asphalt. By sealcoating it, you are filling these cracks and reducing the likelihood that water will find its way below the surface and cause further damage. The longer you keep water out of the asphalt, the longer your pavement will likely last.
3. Save Yourself From Spring Pothole Repair
Potholes are formed when moisture makes its way into the asphalt, freezes and thaws, and then traffic drives over the surface. When the water freezes and thaws, it creates a pocket of air within the pavement. Traffic driving in your parking lot will cause the asphalt to crumble when it hits the pocket. Since the temperatures in the winter are more likely to cause a pothole, you will want to have your parking lot sealcoated now. You can prevent springtime potholes from forming by sealcoating your parking lot before winter hits.
Extend the Life of Asphalt
A regular sealcoat application can more than double the lifespan of your asphalt. If you are considering waiting until Spring to have your pavement cared for, you might want to reconsider. You could end up saving yourself from significant repair or complete pavement replacement in the Spring. Sealcoating is a cost effective way to spend pennies on the dollar per square foot to maintain your asphalt.
Toste Construction is a Mooresville asphalt sealcoating and pavement maintenance company. If you are looking for a local company to professionally care for your parking lot, contact our office today. Our team will assess your pavement and provide you with a FREE quote for all of your needs. We offer asphalt sealcoating, striping, patching, pothole repair and crack filling for both residential and commercial projects throughout western North Carolina.