Many businesses don’t think twice about parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks until they show signs of wear. Once you let cracks, potholes, and other issues go unaddressed for too long, they become a liability rather than an asset. Before you think about expensive renovations or the potential cost of a lawsuit because someone fell and hurt themselves on your property, consider sealcoating. Preventative measures are always less costly than reactive ones.
What is sealcoat?
Sealcoat is a mixture containing liquid asphalt, mineral fillers, and other anti-oxidation additives that coat asphalt to protect it from the elements while maintaining its strength and durability. Seal coating is a cost-effective way to prolong your surface’s life.
What are the benefits of sealcoating?
Slows deterioration from oxidation.
When you sealcoat your asphalt, you’re protecting it from oxidation. When oxygen has access to the asphalt in cracks in your parking lot, driveway, or sidewalk, it speeds up the deterioration process and accelerates potholes and the formation of cracks. Sealcoating helps to plug those cracks, which means less oxygen can get in there and speed up the deterioration process.
Prevents water intrusion beneath the surface.
Sealcoating your parking lot, driveway, and sidewalk also helps prevent water from getting into the cracks in your asphalt. If water seeps below the surface, it can cause the asphalt to deteriorate faster. Water can cause all sorts of damage, including rusting rebar, corroding concrete, and accelerating the growth of weeds. Sealcoating your asphalt protects it from water intrusion and dramatically extends its useful life.
Enhances flexibility
Asphalt is considered to be a “flexible” surface. This means when vehicles drive on asphalt, it “flexes” under the weight. As the pavement ages, it becomes less flexible, making it more susceptible to cracks. Applying sealcoat regularly can help your asphalt remain flexible and extend its life.
Extends pavement life.
Sealcoating your asphalt parking lot, driveway, and sidewalks essentially gives it a new life. Sealcoating protects the underlying asphalt from moisture and oxygen that can accelerate the natural deterioration process. Sealcoating your asphalt surface can extend its useful life by as much as 25 years! It’s important to note that sealcoating does not actually lengthen the life of the asphalt itself. Instead, it protects the asphalt from moisture, oxygen, and other damaging elements so it can function normally for many years.
It saves you money!
Finally, sealcoating your asphalt parking lot, driveway, and sidewalks can save you a ton of money down the road. A relatively small upfront investment in sealcoating can save you thousands of dollars by extending the life of your asphalt by decades. Sealcoating helps prevent damage and eliminates the need to repave, which is incredibly expensive! Keeping your surfaces clean and well-maintained can save money and prevent serious injuries from accidents caused by potholes, cracks, and uneven pavement. Sealcoating is a low-cost maintenance project that can be completed in as little as one day.
Sealcoating FAQ’s
- How long does sealcoat last?
It is recommended to have sealcoat reapplied every 2-3 years. This depends on the amount of traffic and the condition of the underlying asphalt.
- How long does sealcoat take to dry?
Sealcoat generally takes 4-8 hours to be open to foot traffic and is ready for vehicle traffic 24-48 hours after application.
- When is the best time to sealcoat?
When applying sealcoat, it must be above 50 degrees outside with no heavy rain within 24 hours of application. Because of this, we recommend sealcoating services to be done between May and October when the temperatures are higher, and the humidity is lower.
Conclusion
Sealcoating your surfaces is the most cost-effective way to extend their useful life. Sealcoating also allows you to retain the aesthetic appeal of your asphalt while keeping it functional.
Think your surfaces would benefit from a sealcoating application? Saguaro Sealcoat can help! If you’re in the Tucson area, give us a call at (520) 428-0505, so we can discuss your options.
