Although asphalt parking lots are very durable, they need maintenance and upkeep over the years. One of the ways to extend your pavement’s lifespan is by sealcoating it every two to three years. We recommend doing this during either the fall or spring because both seasons have mild weather, which is ideal for sealcoating. This service can be done in the fall to protect your pavement from all that comes with winter weather, but it’s also good to do before summer.
Without sealcoating, your lot is susceptible to issues due to the harsh UV rays. This can cause surface breakdown and decay, and results in loose sections of your pavement. UV rays also cause your asphalt to crack, and because the asphalt expands in heat, those cracks can grow. Extremely high temperatures can also lead to warped asphalt and other deformities. A sealcoat acts as a barrier from the elements and from general wear and tear, which is especially helpful in high-traffic areas.
Since the heat of summer isn’t a good condition for sealcoating, we recommend getting it done in the spring, especially in May or early June. Sealcoating should never be done if the temperature will be below freezing during any part of the process.
In addition, your pavement will turn gray over the years, and sealcoating gives pavement a new, shiny finish, which is attractive to clients. We’ll also restripe the parking lot afterwards, and those brand-new white lines will make your lot look fresh. The sealcoating process also doesn’t take very long—after application, it will need to cure for 24 to 48 hours before vehicles can drive on it, so any parking inconvenience will be limited.
We’ll make sure to clean your lot before we apply our sealer, as any salt from winter or other debris would get trapped beneath. Sealcoats are applied by a large brush or sprayers, whether that’s done by hand or by a pavement sealer machine, depending on the size of the pavement. A driveway, for example, would be done by hand.
After any of our paving services, you have the opportunity to sign up for our free maintenance program, one of our experts will come out and assess your pavement. They’ll let you know if your lot is due for a sealcoat that year.
Metro Paving has been serving the Twin Cities area since 1988. Give us a call for any of your pavement needs!