In the words of The American Society of Planning Officials, “Most parking lots are ugly.” Would you be willing to let people judge your business solely on the appearance of your parking lot? If not, why not? If you’d like to answer yes to the above question, consider protecting your parking area from premature aging and weathering. We’re going to explain our top reasons we advise parking lot sealcoating as one of our primary pavement services.

Creates a Barrier Against Moisture

Water steadily deteriorates the pavement. So the more efficiently you can keep water from getting past the top layer, the longer you can expect your pavement to last. The sealant flows into the pavement’s thin cracks, keeping the cracks from becoming pathways for water to seep deeper.

Extreme temperatures make matters worse. If water fills the cracks and then freezes, it will expand, widening the cracks. In turn, this creates more room for additional water to enter, freeze, and damage the pavement further.

Frozen water is a special problem due to the contrary nature of water and asphalt. As mentioned, water expands as it freezes, but asphalt contracts. That means that the two forces are in contention, increasing the likelihood of damage.

When water damage stresses the asphalt, the pavement becomes easy to break. After vehicles pass over the weakened section a few times, potholes can appear.

Can Help Prevent Lawsuits

Parking lot owners can be held responsible for car damage and personal injury resulting from poor parking lot maintenance. Broken pavement and potholes are enough to result in lawsuits.

Even though cars in the parking lot may move at slow speeds, that doesn’t mean that any resultant damage or injuries are necessarily going to be minor. For example, uneven pavement could cause misalignment, tire damage, or even a broken axle.

Serious injuries are also a danger, even at low speeds. Back injuries can be notoriously difficult to treat and can cause long-term or permanent disability.

Having a smooth parking lot also makes it easier to have clear, easy-to-see markings. Bold striping reduces the likelihood of drivers having accidents and then blaming you, the property owner, for their errors.

It’s a wise investment to seal your pavement. It’s another form of insurance protection from litigating lawyers.

Protects Pavement From Ice Prevention Chemicals

Highway departments use chemicals and road ice to keep thoroughfares safe in the winter. You probably use similar items to keep your parking area safe.

But these chemicals are damaging to the pavement in the long run. Using a sealant, protects the underlying pavement. You can then safely use salt or de-icing chemicals to keep your tenants or customers safe during even the harshest winter.

Fights Effects of Exposure to Sun and Air

The elements will eventually break down the pavement. But you can prevent pavement from prematurely aging with sealcoating. The protective sealant blocks the sun and air, keeping the underlying pavement protected.

The process is comparable to humans wearing sunscreen to save our skin from the dangerous UV rays of the sun.

Keeps Out Chemical Contaminants

No doubt you’ve seen various types of parking lots marred by oil spills. Until the day that every vehicle on the road is electric, you can expect surfaces to be contaminated with gasoline and oil.

Unfortunately, when gasoline and oil meet asphalt, they weaken the pavement. Once the integrity of the pavement is compromised, it becomes much easier for additional damage to take place.

Increases Safety

A good seal can add new sand particles to the pavement. The asphalt already contains sand, but these original small bits of material are often lost over time. The replacement sand adds texture to the pavement, making it easier for tires to grip the surface.

Keeps the Pavement Pliable

Most people think of asphalt as a hard surface. But it does have a small degree of give-and-take as heavy vehicles pass over its surface.

The longer it remains pliable, the greater its longevity. When it becomes too stiff, it’s more likely to begin cracking. Cracking is a tell-tale sign of aging and wear.

Simple to Clean

Cleaning an unsealed pavement is challenging. It’s difficult to remove smaller bits of debris. On the other hand, a sealed pavement provides a smooth surface that’s easy to clean.

Saves Money

There’s no sense in resurfacing your payment until it’s necessary. You can delay the inevitable for years by maintaining a good layer of sealant. You can then use the money saved to improve other aspects of your property.

Makes a Good Impression

Your property may have well-maintained buildings, but if your parking area is an eyesore, you’re probably losing potential income. Many potential clients, customers, and tenants will judge your property management by the condition of the parking area.

They may reason that if you don’t keep public areas in pristine condition, you aren’t likely to invest in private spaces. A weather-beaten gray pavement crisscrossed with cracks doesn’t make a good impression.

People also view negatively a parking area dotted with oil stains or one that holds standing water. Visitors expect a clean, smooth surface with a deep black color that shows evidence of good parking lot care.

Getting Started With Parking Lot Sealcoating

Sealing your pavement is one of the best investments you can make in your business. True, it doesn’t have the appeal of opening a new office or signing a new client, but it will pay for itself for years.

Your well-kept parking area will appeal to the people you’re trying to attract. You’ll also sleep better knowing that the condition of your parking area is not likely to be the basis of a personal injury lawsuit.

Don’t settle for an ugly parking lot. Contact ACI Asphalt & Concrete today to discuss protecting your parking area with parking lot sealcoating.

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Published On: August 8, 2023By Categories: ACI Asphalt