Parking lots take a lot of abuse; vehicles weighing a ton or more drive all over them every day, the sun beats down on them, and roots and other forces of nature exert pressure on them from below.
The weather throws its worst in terms of scorching sun, freezing temperatures, and pounding rain at them. Vehicle leak all sorts of oils and chemicals, and careless people throw food, gum, and trash on them. It’s no wonder that a parking lot needs to be protected to last, and one of the best options for this is sealcoating.
Sealcoating involves adding thin layers of either coal tar pitch or an asphalt mixture containing additives on the parking lot. The mixture is spread over the parking lot and allowed to dry completely. Then, parking bumpers, signs, and other structures can be added, and the parking lot can be painted with parking spaces, arrows, and more. The advantages of parking lot sealcoating are many, though it should be completed during fair weather.
Benefits include:
- Protecting the parking lot from the weather, including stopping water penetration and damage from snow, frost, and ice, which can lead to cracks and potholes.
- Keeps caustic and damaging substances like oil, gasoline, and chemicals from affecting the parking lot’s base materials.
- Increases the melting of ice and snow on the parking lot.
- Enhances the look of the parking lot, making it a complement to the curb appeal of the surrounding buildings and landscaping.
- Cuts down on the cost of maintenance and repairs in the long term when compared to parking lots that are not sealcoated.
- Prolongs the life of the parking lot.
Sealcoating is an important end step in the construction of parking lots to protect the underlying concrete or asphalt and ensure the parking lot is safe, attractive, and functional for as long as possible.
