What are the Costs Associated with Asphalt Sealcoating?

What are the Costs Associated with Asphalt Sealcoating?

What are some of the costs associated with sealcoating your parking lot?

There is no doubt that asphalt sealcoating is a good investment that every property owner and manager can make. It helps prevent water and sunlight from doing damage to the asphalt surface, extending the life of your parking lot while making it more appealing to customers, owners, and potential tenants. With periodic sealcoating, you can get more value out of your property and grow your business as well. But how much does asphalt sealcoating cost? What are the expenses involved with this activity? It is important to ask these questions as it will give you valuable insight into the impact of sealcoating asphalt on your business.

An Overview of Asphalt Sealcoating Cost for 2021

The cost of sealing a parking lot varies widely. But on the average, you would be charged $0.14 to $0.25 per square foot.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Asphalt Sealcoating

The reason that the variation is so high is that there are many factors that affect the cost of asphalt sealcoating. Below are some of the biggest contributors:

  1. Cost of Asphalt Sealer

There are many types of asphalt sealer to choose from. Each sealer has its own advantages and disadvantages. As can be expected, the cost of the material depends on the type of sealer you get.

The most affordable sealer is the fast-dry. It is a great choice for property owners who cannot limit foot or car traffic for long periods. It is not, however, as long-lasting as the other sealers.

Next is the asphalt emulsion. It is known as the most eco-friendly option but it is vulnerable to corrosive materials like oil and gasoline. Also, you need to apply it between May and September during the day for best results.

Coal tar, the most popular type of asphalt sealers, is durable and resistant to corrosive materials. However, it does come with a higher price tag. It also may emit a harmful substance – polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.

Finally, the acrylic sealer is a synthetic compound made from acrylic and polymers. It is gentle on the environment and can withstand a fair amount of abuse. It is the most expensive parking lot sealer, but you will appreciate the higher price tag once you see the results.

  1. Cost of Other Materials

Other than the sealer itself, there are many other materials needed for sealcoating. There is the water, oil spot primer, pressure washer and nozzle, sealcoating broom, sand, mixer, etc. Each item has cost implications to consider as well.

  1. Labor Costs

It’s possible to do sealcoating on your own, especially if you have experience. However, hiring a professional is still the better option. If you go this route, you would need to consider the cost of labor.

  1. Mobilizations

Can you afford to restrict access to your parking lot for long periods? Can you offer your customers alternative parking while your space is unavailable? The answers will determine how asphalt sealcoating will be mobilized on your parking lot and will have an impact on the final cost.    

  1. Preparation

You need to prepare the parking lot surface before you can apply the sealer. This is important to optimize the results. However, this step is not as simple as it sounds, and it may move the needle when it comes to the final asphalt sealcoating cost.

  1. The Layout of the Blacktop Surface

As with other home improvement or even construction projects, the more complicated it is, the higher the cost. This rule applies to sealcoating, too. If your parking lot has an irregular shape or a lot of landscape islands, it won’t be possible to cover the entire space with a single modification. You would need to make multiple passes, which translates to a higher cost

  1. Accessibility

If you are going to hire a professional, another thing you need to consider is the accessibility of your parking lot.

  1. Size of the Parking Lot to be Sealcoated

The square footage of your parking lot will affect the cost of sealcoating for obvious reasons. The bigger it is, the more materials are needed to cover the surface. It would also require more time, effort, and other resources.

  1. Number of Coats Applied

If you expect heavy traffic on your parking lot, you will need to apply multiple coats of asphalt sealer. Otherwise, one or two coats would be enough. The total asphalt sealcoating cost would depend on how many coats of sealer you apply.

Sealcoating is an effective way to extend the life of your parking lot. However, it is important to note that you should only do this if the lot is at least 12 months old. New asphalt surface has a lot of oil, which might prevent the sealer from bonding properly.

Why You Should Hire a Professional

It’s very tempting for a property owner or manager to take on a DIY sealcoating project in order to skip some of the cost components.

However, while this may seem like a more practical option at first, it may not be so wise to do so. Here are some reasons why:

  1. More Efficient

Professional contractors have industrial-grade tools and equipment that can get the job done much faster than individuals could. In addition, they are trained for this job, which means that they are updated on the current best practices that ensure the safe and efficient execution of the job.

  1. More Cost-Effective

While hiring professionals may involve a higher upfront cost, you will get, in the long run, more value for your money due to the following:

  • It ensures the quality of the job, and you can expect it to last for a long time.
  • You would not be prone to making mistakes that would end up costing more to fix.
  • You can benefit from the experience and skills of professionals who have access to the best formulations offered by retail outlets, which means that you are getting the best that money can buy.
  • Warranty Period
  1. Better Quality

Professional contractors have access to the best tools and equipment to properly apply the asphalt sealer. They will have no problem handling a thick pavement coating with silica sand mixed with rubberized latex, which is a great combination that yields long-lasting results.

  1. Protection

Another important factor for you to consider when hiring a professional contractor is that these companies are licensed and insured. They are perfectly qualified to do the job safely, so you will be protected from any form of accountability if anything happens during the job. It includes protection from paying for damages, hospital costs, workman’s compensation, and other expenses.

Hiring a professional contractor is your best option if you want to sealcoat your parking lot. However, you must be mindful about which company to trust. Unscrupulous contractors have been known to dilute sealers with lots of water. We have also seen them put just one coat on the lot and tell customers that they’ve applied two.

If you need trustworthy asphalt sealcoating in Tampa, look no further than Asphalt and Concrete Parking Lot Maintenance. We have more than 50 years or combined experience, providing high-quality services to businesses throughout Florida.

Call us today at 888-959-9637 for a free consultation or visit our website for the latest developments in sealcoating.    

ACPLM Admin