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5 Sealcoating Facts That Will Help You Save Money on Asphalt Pavement Parking Lot Maintenance

Asphalt pavement parking lot maintenance is an essential component of increasing your property value and attracting more customers to your business. Regular maintenance also boosts the external aesthetic appeal of your commercial property and gives you opportunities to repair and prevent potential damages in the process. This can diminish the risk of personal injuries and vehicular damage that can occur in your parking lot. Periodically sealcoating your asphalt pavement parking lot has a lot of cost saving potential and other benefits.

What Is Sealcoating?

Sealcoating is a fairly common practice in the construction and asphalt pavement industries. This process involves applying a generous layer of sealcoat to an asphalt structure. Sealcoat creates a strong barrier that protects your asphalt pavement from common external elements such as water, debris, wind, oil leaks, and harmful UV rays of the sun.

There are three types of sealcoat that are used by industry experts across Ontario:

  • Refined coal tar-based sealcoat
  • Asphalt-based sealcoat
  • Petroleum-based sealcoat

The type of sealcoat material you need depends entirely on the aggregate of which your parking lot is comprised. Naturally, an asphalt pavement parking lot would require an asphalt-based sealcoat for optimal protection and aesthetic results.

How Does Sealcoating Save You Money?

As you can imagine, there are a lot of worthwhile advantages to sealcoating your asphalt pavement parking lot regularly. Over time, even the most resilient paving materials can be worn down by constant exposure to external elements like water, debris, UV rays, and frequent usage. Applying a layer of sealcoat once every two to three years can help refresh the look of your parking, boost your curb appeal, and prevent damages like cracking or fading.

Here are the top five reasons why you should hire a professional asphalt contractor to routinely sealcoat your parking lot.

1. Improves Life Expectancy and Functionality

Unless you work in construction or pavement installation and repairs, you probably don’t realize just how much money and aggravation sealcoating can save you over time. Most professional asphalt contractors recommend sealcoating your parking lot at least once every two to three years. Adhering to this advice can help extend the lifespan of your asphalt pavement to about 20-30 years before it needs to be replaced as opposed to the standard 10-15 years.

Keep in mind that replacing portions of your asphalt or your entire parking lot can be significantly more expensive than simply administering preventative care, which what sealcoating is.

2. Protects Your Asphalt Pavement from External Elements

External elements like debris, water, fluid leaks, and UV rays are inevitable. But prolonged exposure to these elements can be extremely harmful to your asphalt pavement parking lot. In addition to superficial damages like blacktop and line fading, these elements can also severely damage the internal structural integrity of your parking lot and lead to costly but necessary repairs. Water penetration and chemical leaks along with strong UV rays can eventually erode the surface of your asphalt pavement and negatively impact the subgrade. Sealcoating on a regular basis can prevent this from happening.

It also gives you the opportunity to carefully clean and inspect your asphalt parking lot for signs of potential damages either in the beginning or advanced stages.

3. Enhances the Appearance of Your Asphalt Pavement

Appearances are especially important in making a positive, strong, and lasting first impression for any business. You should take as much pride in the outside of your business as you do in the products and services you offer. When customers arrive on your property and see a clean, smooth, and properly maintained parking lot with clear signage throughout, it gives the impression that you run an extremely professional operation.  

A clean and well-maintained exterior is more likely to encourage customers to support your business and recommend it to their friends and family.

4. Accelerates the Snow Melting Process on Pavement Surfaces

Another advantage of sealcoating your asphalt pavement parking lot as recommended is that it can help accelerate the snow melting process in the winter. Snow and ice removal are big problems and expenses for a lot of Canadian businesses. A layer of sealcoat prevents snow from collecting on your asphalt pavement parking lot and turning into ice formations which present potential safety problems and are a lot harder to remove.

It’s better to be proactive and apply sealcoat before the winter months come so that that you can guarantee that your asphalt pavement parking lot is winter ready.

5. Sealcoat Additives Strengthen Asphalt Performance

Certain additives like polymer can actually help strengthen the performance of your sealcoat and in turn your asphalt pavement. Additives have the following advantage:

  • They speed up the sealcoat drying and curing process, which normally takes about 24-48 hours untouched
  • They allow for increased sand loading and can boost the weight bearing capacity of your asphalt pavement (ideal for industrial parking lots)
  • They strengthen the cured film, so that it lasts longer and withstands more exposure to external elements
  • Improves the colour intensity of your blacktop for great aesthetic appeal
  • Protects against tracking and power steering marks as well as tire scuffs

When Should You Repave or Sealcoat Your Asphalt Parking Lot?

Sealcoating is an active preventative care measure for your asphalt parking lot, whereas repaving is a repair method. While both processes have their unique merits, it’s important to know which one is called for in each situation. If your asphalt parking lot has sustained noticeable severe damages that will only get worse over time, then you might need to repave certain portions or the whole thing.

However, if you want to prevent damages from occurring, then sealcoating is the way to go.

Looking for a professional sealcoating service in Toronto and the GTA? Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. is one of the leading asphalt pavement installation, maintenance, and repair companies. We are sealcoating experts and have been in the business for nearly 25 years. As a testament to the high-quality work we do, we offer a comprehensive seven-year labour and material warranty. Contact us today to book a consultation.

Lance Bradshaw

Lance Bradshaw, President and Founder of Sure-Seal Pavement Inc. 21 years experience in the Pavement Maintenance Industry. Seminar trainer and educator for Property Managers and Industry personnel. Currently serving on the Contractor Advisory Board for Gem-Seal Pavement Products Inc., Charlotte, N.C. Ontario Provincial distributor of Gem-Seal Pavement products through Pavement Maintenance Supply Depot, Toronto, Ontario.

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