What parking lot damage can be prevented by sealcoating?
The parking lot is the first contact with the customer. It is also one of the first things that potential tenants see in an HOA or condo complex. Any sign of parking lot damage could discourage prospective patrons and renters from even entering your premises. That is why business owners and HOAs should prioritize parking lot maintenance.
For parking lots with asphalt paving, sealcoating is a key component of an effective maintenance strategy. It can help prevent a lot of damage and hold off the need for asphalt repair. Below are some of the top problems that can be prevented by sealcoating parking lots.
Parking Lot Damage Caused by Water
Water is one of the worst enemies of asphalt pavement. This may come as a surprise to some people, given the composition of asphalt. Asphalt paving is porous without sealcoating. It has small cracks or openings where water can seep through. Once it does, it reduces the ability of bitumen to bond with the aggregate surface. This process is especially harmful to the surface.
Aside from moisture damage, water that seeps into the asphalt could cause bigger cracks. This happens during winter where the extreme temperature freezes the water inside the asphalt. The water expands and produces large fissures or potholes that are unsightly and even dangerous to motorists and pedestrians.
Asphalt sealcoating offers an ideal solution to these problems. It creates a protective layer that water could not penetrate. It is the most potent tool in your asphalt parking lot maintenance strategy.
Damage Caused by Corrosive Materials
Aside from water, there are other liquids that can cause significant parking lot damage. The most common are motor oil, gasoline or diesel, and other vehicular fluids. These substances are very corrosive and could damage the surface of your asphalt paving.
Asphalt mixtures typically contain binders to make them more pliable. Gasoline spills can dissolve these substances, weakening the bond between the hydrocarbons, rocks, and sand aggregates. When this happens, even a small amount of pressure could cause the asphalt to break, crack, or deform.
By sealcoating your asphalt parking lot, you create an impervious barrier that protects the surface from corrosive materials. It would also be a good idea to clean up spills immediately to ensure that your sealer would also last longer.
Damage Caused by the Sun
Another leading cause of parking lot damage is exposure to the sun. Traditional asphalt is infamous for easily absorbing solar radiation, bringing its temperature to as high as 77⁰C during summer.
The sun’s UV rays are equally harmful to asphalt paving. Prolonged and continuous exposure can break down the binding agents in the asphalt parking lot. Over time, the aggregates will break through the surface, giving it the grayish color typical of old and neglected parking lots.
Asphalt sealcoating is a great option for protecting your parking lot against the sun. It consists of an emulsified solution with anti-oxidation additives, which can counteract the effects of excessive heat and UV rays. It is your parking lot’s very own sunscreen. In a warm place like Florida, sealcoating is very important in preventing unnecessary asphalt repairs. Sealcoating Services can be hired from reputable companies in the area.
Parking Lot Damage from Normal Use
Even without all the factors mentioned above, your asphalt parking lot will eventually wear out. Oxidation is a natural part of an asphalt pavement’s life, eventually turning the smooth, black surface into rough gray. Vehicular activities and foot traffic are also inevitable.
The normal wear and tear on your parking lot is not necessarily a sign of neglect or that you are doing something wrong. It is an inescapable process that can be dealt with easily by asphalt sealcoating. Sealcoating is a small price to pay to maintain your parking lot.
Industry experts highly recommend asphalt sealcoating every three to five years. Of course, the decision to have it done would still depend on the unique situation of every parking lot and every location. The best thing to do is to monitor your establishment regularly to stay on top of the situation.
Contact ACPLM for Asphalt Sealcoating in Tampa
ACPLM has over 50 years of combined experience sealcoating parking lots for businesses, HOAs, and condos in Florida. Schedule a no-cost consultation for sealcoating services by contacting us now!
