How Can I Make My Asphalt Sealcoating Pavement Last?

With sufficient care, asphalt pavements can deliver several decades of attractive, safe use. Repairing pavement breaks promptly, enforcing load limits, and providing an adequate number of drains can all help you prolong the life of your pavement. However, there is no single procedure for increasing your pavement’s life that is more cost-effective than professional applications of asphalt sealcoating.

What Is Sealcoating?

Asphalt sealcoating involves the application of a liquid seal coat to a pavement that has been thoroughly cleaned and adequately repaired. The liquid sealcoat will exhaust the water it contains, then create a durable, tough barrier between your asphalt pavement and the forces that can damage it, including sunlight and petrochemicals.

How Frequently Should I Be Sealcoating My Asphalt Pavement?

Your schedule will depend on factors that are specific to your pavement. For example, your pavement’s overall condition and age, the weight of the vehicles it supports, and the number of vehicles using your pavement can all impact your schedule. On average, however, asphalt parking lot sealcoating in the Treasure Coast area typically lasts between 18 and 30 months. However, you do not want to apply fresh sealcoat too often. Instead, you should wait until the existing sealant has just about worn away. When sealcoating parking lots, it is especially critical that your contractor make any necessary parking lot repair before beginning the application. You should also bear in mind that you will need fresh lot striping and pavement markings after you seal coat. It is also important to remember that, although asphalt sealcoating is tough, it can be damaged by many of the same forces that can harm your pavement.

What Can Damage My Asphalt Parking Lot Sealcoating?

When sealcoating contractors mix and apply the product correctly, it will adhere to the pavement, and it will create a strong shell that resists many types of damage. However, there are a few ways that you can ensure that your seal coat lasts as long as it should.

1. Loose gravel can sometimes scratch a sealcoat, marring your pavement’s surface appearance. Some types of trash and vegetation can leave stains behind. Regular sweepings can remove debris that could jeopardize the appearance and integrity of your sealcoat.
2. Automotive fluids, including diesel, power steering fluid, oil, and brake fluid, contain petrochemicals that soften asphalt pavements. Even if you sealcoat your pavement, you should remove these fluids at least every six months. Otherwise, the petrochemicals will eat through the sealant, then they will go to work destroying your pavement.
3. Sealcoating contractors can select additives that will enhance certain properties. There are additives that can improve resistance to oils and grease, chemicals, oxidation, and water, and some additives can reduce tracking in hot weather.

Asphalt Care Services offers professional sealcoating services as well as asphalt paving, parking lot striping, asphalt repairs, traffic signage, concrete bumpers, speed bump installation, thermoplastic line striping, and comprehensive parking lot maintenance plans. We have an exceptional reputation for extraordinary customer service and superior craftsmanship. We serve clients throughout the Treasure Coast region, including the cities of West Palm Beach, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Boca Raton, Stuart, Fort Pierce, Indian River, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and Hobe Sound. For a free quote, submit the request form online, call 772-888-2840, or email [email protected].