Do you ever find yourself walking across your commercial parking lot and noticing the ground is not as smooth as it once was? If so, then you might want to get your parking lot sealcoated.
Property managers and commercial property owners are always looking for the best ways to take care of their commercial parking lots. Parking lot sealcoating is a process that helps prevent asphalt from deteriorating, which can lead to expensive repairs down the line. Asphalt sealcoating will protect your parking lot against cracks, potholes, oil spills, weeds, and more! If you’re not sure if your commercial parking lot needs to be seal coated, we’ve compiled a list of signs that indicate it might be time.
Faded Surface
For a parking lot to be attractive, it should ideally have a deep black finish like when it is newly installed or sealcoated. However, the color will gradually fade over time into something more greyish-black in appearance. Fading is an indication that another round of sealing is needed sooner rather than later because the damage caused by wear can become evident quickly on neglected surfaces.
Small Cracks
If you need to constantly repair your parking lot and prevent cracks from widening, it’s recommended that you schedule an inspection. If there are any small cracks present before the seal coating is done, then they will be able to offer protection while repairing them as well during this process. However, if more extensive damage has occurred on the parking lot surface, such as large crack or potholes, then these damages must first be addressed before sealcoating.
Gas, Oil, and Other Fluid Stains
Fluid leaks are a common sight on parking lots. Weather, regular use, and age can cause parking lot damage, but so can the buildup of leaked vehicle fluids or other harsh chemicals. Motor oil and coolant that leak onto the asphalt will leach through the unprotected pavement; however, with a fresh sealcoat, they won’t have much chance to do any damage at all!
Vegetation Growth
Once in a while, you may see a new, fresh layer of grass poking out through the cracks in your parking lot. Even small hairline cracks can provide enough space for vegetation to grow and roots that go below the surface are no exception! Sealcoat over these non-threatening little openings before they get any bigger, so you don’t have future problems on your hands.
Normal Aging
Another sign that your commercial parking lot needs sealcoating is the normal aging of asphalt. Unlike driveways or sidewalks, commercial properties tend to sit for much more extended periods between sealing and can be subjected to more wear and tear as a result.
In order to keep your parking lot in top condition, you should have it sealed every two to three years. This not only preserves your property’s appearance and structural integrity but also helps maintain a professional tone for visitors when they come into contact with your business.
Winter is Approaching
Getting a sealcoat on your parking lot before winter hits is the best way to ensure all of those cold and wet days won’t damage it. Sealcoating ensures that water doesn’t seep in between cracks, making these areas susceptible to freezing which can do some serious harm over time.
There are several signs that property managers and owners should look for to know if their parking lot needs sealcoating. This blog post discussed the most common ones, but others may be specific to your property or business location. If you’re not sure whether your lot is in need of sealing feel free to contact Precision Striping and Lot Restorations. We offer a free estimate on all services so you can get an idea of costs before deciding whether or not we’re the right company for the job!
