When To Use Sealcoating and When To Not Use Sealcoating

 Asphalt pavement is a big investment. You’ll want to make sure that you are taking good care of it so that you can take all the benefits from it. A well maintained asphalt pavement will reflect good things about your business since it is the first thing that people encounter. Having a cracked and pot hole filled pavement will not be pleasant for your customers.

The best way to maintain your lot is to use preventative measures to keep your lot in pristine condition. Sealcoating is one of the preventative measures you can use to make sure your lot is protected from external elements that tend to destroy asphalt and create cracks.

When to Use Sealcoating
You should first use sealcoating 3-6 months after you have your parking lot paved. Your parking lot needs sometime to cure before you put a layer of sealcoat on.

After your first sealcoating, you should get your parking lot sealcoated every 3-5 years. If your parking lot handles a lot of traffic it is important for you to get your parking lot sealcoated quicker.

If applied at the appropriate time, sealcoating will help to protect your pavement from some of pavements biggest enemies: water and UV light from the sun.

When NOT to Use Sealcoating
Sealcoating is best preventative measure to protect your parking lot, but you need to be watchful because many asphalt contractors will suggest you use it, even when it is not the best solution.

Sealcoating will NOT be beneficial if your parking lot is already under distress. If your pavement is already showing cracks it is too late to use sealcoating. Doing so would be putting a bandage on a wound that will quickly cause you trouble again. If you are wanting to fix a problem with your pavement then it is too late for sealcoating.

Before having your parking lot sealcoated again you need to fix the existing problem. You will need to repair the cracks. Often times if you let the problem fester then the cracks will come from deep within the pavement. If the whole crack is not fixed, then the crack will show up again pretty soon after. Check with a trusted asphalt professional who will be able to best advise you on how to best fix the root problem.

If you have a paving contractor telling you to sealcoat your pavement as a cheaper solution to fixing the crack watch out. It will cost you more in the long run. It is best to fix the root problem.

Make sure that you take care of your pavement and have it sealcoated before any problems arise. If you are looking for an asphalt professional give us a call and we will come out to do a free estimate!

770-629-0496