Five Signs That Show It Is Time for Asphalt Sealcoating ASAP!

In 2022, the population of Las Vegas was estimated at almost 647,000, but visitors to the city exceeded 38 million. Some of these out-of-towners arrived in their own vehicles, while others rented cars or relied on taxis to get around the city. The sheer number of cars, trucks, and SUVs using the streets and parking lots, combined with the area’s climate, can be a strain on asphalt pavements. Asphalt sealcoating is your pavement’s first line of defense, but how do you tell whether it is time to apply fresh sealcoating? The answers to five questions can help you identify the warning signs that it is time to call a trustworthy sealcoating contractor.

How Long Has It Been Since Your Last Application of Asphalt Sealcoating?

Asphalt sealcoating in Las Vegas has an expected life of two to three years. If you have not had your asphalt sealcoating company apply fresh sealcoating within that time frame, your pavement could be in need of immediate attention. The same is true if you suspect that your predecessor never called a local asphalt sealcoating professional after the pavement was constructed.

How Dark Is the Color of Your Asphalt Pavement?

New asphalt pavements are luxuriously black in color. Over time, the sun will cause their color to fade, and they turn a dingy shade of gray or brown. As a rule, the greater the bleaching, the more the pavement is in need of sealcoating. Since sealcoats are highly effective sunscreens, asphalt sealcoating Las Vegas pavements helps them retain their color. Furthermore, in most cases, fresh sealcoating can restore asphalt pavements to the dark color they had when they were new.

Has Your Existing Asphalt Sealcoating Worn Away in Certain Areas?

Asphalt sealcoating contractors know that certain areas support a larger number of vehicles. For example, the area immediately in front of a large retail store is often used as a makeshift zone for dropping off and picking up passengers. Other areas, including drive-thru lanes and intersections, experience a greater volume of cars that are braking and accelerating. Many Las Vegas asphalt sealcoating professionals recommend applying a third coat of sealant in these high-traffic areas. If the asphalt sealcoating company previously applied only two coats, it may be obvious that the sealcoating has worn away in those spots.

Are the Cracks in Your Asphalt Pavement Increasing in Number?

The sun causes more than just cosmetic damage when it bleaches the color from an asphalt pavement. It is simultaneously robbing the asphalt of its moisture, turning it brittle and more susceptible to cracking. When sealcoating screens out the damaging UV rays emitted by the sun, it is also helping to seal in the oils contained in the asphalt.

Do You See Other Signs of Damage to Your Asphalt Pavement?

Although sealcoating alone cannot prevent every type of pavement damage, it can help you avoid several of them. It can also prove beneficial in remediation efforts.

1. Is your pavement dotted with oil stains? Oil and other petroleum-based vehicle fluids, including gas and diesel, interact with asphalt in a very destructive way. Once the oil begins to deteriorate the binder holding the pavement together, soft, crumbly spots develop that will quickly turn into potholes. Eventually, petrochemicals will chew through sealcoating to reach the pavement, but you will have more time to clean up leaked fluids before pavement damage occurs. If you act quickly enough, you may even be able to remove all visible evidence of the leak.
2. Is the surface of your pavement rough? Sealcoating gives asphalt pavements a smooth, even appearance. If the surface is more akin to an orange peel, sealcoating may help fill in the tiny pits.
3. Are there signs that your asphalt pavement is starting to disintegrate? If you can clearly see the rocks in your pavement, find loose gravel on the surface, and notice that the edges are breaking off, your pavement may be in distress. Depending on the severity and source of the distress, you may need to have it resurfaced or repaired, but sealcoating may address minor issues. Your asphalt sealcoating contractor may not offer resurfacing or patching services. However, you should still call a reputable Las Vegas asphalt sealcoating company to seal your overlay or patch.

Affordable Striping & Sealing specializes in the maintenance of asphalt parking lots for clients throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Our services include asphalt sealcoating, parking lot striping, asphalt crack repairs, traffic sign installation, road markings, parking lot layout, and comprehensive parking lot maintenance programs. We have earned an exemplary reputation for providing exceptional results and extraordinary service. For a free quote, fill out our online request form, call 702-222-9009, or email Vegas@AffordableStriping.com.