How Often Should You Sealcoat an Asphalt Paving Lot?
An asphalt parking lot is an economical way to provide your visitors with an attractive location to leave their vehicles. Asphalt parking lots can last for decades, but they will need a little attention to have a long, useful life. One of the critical procedures you should include in your maintenance plan is parking lot sealcoat.
Why Is Sealcoat an Important Asphalt Paving Maintenance Procedure?
Ultraviolet radiation and automotive fluids are two formidable enemies that all asphalt parking lots in the Las Vegas area must resist. Automotive fluids soften asphalt pavement, turning it crumbly and vulnerable to damage, while UV rays leave asphalt dry, brittle, and more prone to cracking. Asphalt sealants block UV rays, and they also serve as a tough barrier to protect the pavement from automotive fluids.
When Does Asphalt Pavement Need Its First Application of Sealcoating?
Parking lot paving companies consider several factors before recommending the right time to apply an sealant’s initial coat. This could be three months, six months, or nine months, but it will almost always be less than 12 months.
How Often Should New Parking Lot Sealcoating Be Applied?
The average parking lot in Las Vegas needs fresh sealcoating every 18 to 24 months, but you may need it more frequently or less often. Your paving maintenance contractor will evaluate your parking lot’s traffic, your pavement’s condition, and any unresolved issues that have affected your existing sealant.
What Do Parking Lot Maintenance Companies Want Clients to Do Prior to a Sealcoat Job?
You will need to work closely with your sealcoating contractor to determine exactly what you might need to do. As a rule, however, you will want to make sure that your parking lot patching and other paving repairs are completed before the start of the sealcoating application. If you have a large parking lot, you and your contractor can create a plan to minimize disruptions to your business. Since you will need a parking lot striping contractor service after sealcoating, this would also be an excellent time to discuss alterations to your parking lot design.
If My Contractor Recommends Sealcoating Every Two Years, Would It Be Safer to Schedule an Annual Application?
Reputable asphalt maintenance contractors will recommend the right length of time between sealcoating. Applying asphalt sealants too frequently can present problems that can leave your pavement as unprotected as applying it too infrequently. In general, the right time to apply a fresh coat of sealant is just before the existing sealant has worn away.
Are There Ways to Extend the Life of My Sealcoating?
Asphalt sealants are available in various formulas and quality levels, so you want to ensure that your contractor chooses a high-quality sealant that is designed to withstand the type of traffic your parking lot will receive. You also want to make sure that you hire an experienced, reputable contractor with the proper equipment and sufficient staffing. Most parking lots need two thin coats of sealant, and some lots can benefit from a third coat on high-traffic areas. Never let a contractor convince you that one thick coat is equal to or better than two thin coats; thick coats will not cure properly, so the best you can hope for is an unattractive surface that displays numerous cracks and ripples. Do not open your freshly sealed parking lot to vehicle traffic before your contractor tells you; depending on various factors, most sealants need to cure for 12 to 24 hours before they can withstand vehicle traffic. Periodic cleanings can also help you keep your sealcoating pristine and undamaged.
Affordable Striping & Sealing Specializes in Parking Lot Maintenance
When you need asphalt sealcoating, parking lot design and layout, traffic signage, parking lot striping, bumper blocks, asphalt crack repairs, or road markings, you can trust Affordable Striping & Sealing for superior paving services at reasonable prices. We serve commercial clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Paradise, and the rest of the Las Vegas Valley. We use high-quality products and the latest techniques to ensure your complete satisfaction with our work. We offer free quotes, so submit the online form to request yours. If you would rather call to discuss your project in detail, you can reach us at 702-222-9009.
