If you own or maintain a commercial parking lot, it is important that you have the asphalt sealed occasionally in order to protect it and keep it looking brand new. Without the proper maintenance and protection, your parking lot will deteriorate much faster and will need to be replaced prematurely, which can cost you greatly in the long-run. Yet, how will you know when it is time to sealcoat your parking lot? Here are a few of the signs you can look out for indicating that your parking lot may need a new sealcoating.
Small Cracks Abound
As your asphalt parking lot ages, it will begin to develop hairline cracks. While these cracks may seem insignificant, they will continue to grow and widen without the proper maintenance. However, if you catch these cracks early, you can have your parking lot sealcoated in order to prevent the cracks from growing, which can save you money down the road. It is important to remember that only small cracks can be sealed, and wider cracks and potholes will need to be filled before your parking lot can be sealed.
Fading Color
When your asphalt is first laid, it will be a beautiful deep black color. However, over time you will likely notice that it will begin to fade to a lighter grey. Not only does this make your parking lot look less attractive to customers, but it also means that your asphalt needs a new sealcoating. Sealcoating will restore your parking lots black look and will help to protect it against damage.
Fluid Stains
You may also want to consider having your parking lot sealcoated if there are a lot of fluid stains that look like they could be motor oil or gasoline. The fact is that stains resulting from petroleum products are a bigger problem than simply being unsightly, as they can eat into the surface of your asphalt and remove its protective coating. If your parking lot has many stains, you should a new sealcoating installed to prevent the asphalt from weakening and cracking.
Contact us to learn more about how you will know when it is time to sealcoat your parking lot.