Nothing says “Don’t park here!” like bleached out, cracked asphalt. And if you own commercial property, that’s not a message you want to project. And the last thing you need is for a customer to trip on any of those cracks. Yikes.
That’s why it’s so important to regularly maintain your asphalt with sealcoating. Between the harsh sun conditions, temperature changes, atmospheric river events, and heavy traffic, your asphalt takes a beating every day. Sealcoating every two to three years protects your investment.
Los Angeles’ climate ages asphalt prematurely. All that sunlight actually works to break down your asphalt through a process known as oxidation. That’s what causes the fading and the cracking. Factor in vehicle fluids and heavy use, and bare asphalt can break down fast.
Sealcoating a parking lot provides an asphalt surface with protection, that will:
Protect your pavement from UV rays and oxidation
Act as a protective layer to keep water out during the wet season
Resists oil, fuel, saltwater and chemical spills
Boost the curb appeal to your tenants and customers
Sealcoating won’t change any major problems you already have. However, it is an excellent safeguard against costly problems that could arise in the future.
Asphalt is one of those building materials that is not known for its longevity. However, that’s because most property owners fail to regularly maintain their pavement. If you regularly fill in the cracks and sealcoat your asphalt, it will last twice as long.
Sealcoating not only slows surface oxidation, but it also prevents:
Large-scale cracking
Pothole formation
Premature resurfacing or replacement
Sealcoating is like sunscreen for your asphalt. It won’t prevent aging, but it will minimize the effects of constant exposure.
There’s a time and place for everything, including asphalt sealcoating. Paving experts generally advise sealcoating every two to three years, depending upon traffic and the condition of your surface.
So, what’s the best time to apply sealcoating in Los Angeles so it holds up better?
Late spring through early fall
When temperatures stay above 50°F
When the weather is dry and there’s no rain in sight
So basically, in Southern California, you can pretty much reseal your asphalt at any time during the year.
Regular inspections are key. Dullness in color, small surface cracks and a rough texture all are indications that your parking lot could use sealcoating.
A lot of property owners get sealcoating mixed up with paving. Make no mistake .They are two different things.
Sealcoating: Preventative maintenance to protect the surface
Paving/Resurfacing: Structural repair or replacement of the asphalt
In any smart parking lot maintenance plan for Los Angeles, sealcoating should be included with sealing any crack (no matter what size) and regular check ups. This preventative approach can eliminate the necessity for expensive resurfacing projects later.
By now you understand why you should sealcoat your asphalt from a preventative maintenance standpoint. Why else would you want to sealcoat your pavement?
Improved first impressions for customers
Enhanced visibility
Improved traffic flow and safety with better striping
Less liability for trip and fall cases involving cracked pavement
Increased property value and tenant satisfaction
A clean parking lot for retail shopping centers, office buildings and industrial parks, maintains a professional appearance, while instilling confidence in the facility.
Remember, it doesn’t matter what someone on YouTube says. Sealcoating is not a DIY project. You want to hire a professional. And not just any professional will do. You want an asphalt contractor, who has experience and knowledge with:
LA pavement conditions.
Commercial-grade sealcoating materials
Surface preparation for cleaning and crack repair
Transparent project schedules to avoid disruption of your business
A good contractor is going to tailor your maintenance plan to your lot, the traffic your lot sees and how it’s used.
Sealcoating is one of those maintenance projects that gives you the most bang for your buck. Spending time to maintain your parking lot will help you avoid trip and fall lawsuits, keep your parking lot looking its best and save you time and money on much bigger projects to fix your asphalt.
With over 15 years of experience, we are here to help to keep your asphalt looking fresh as the day it was poured. Give us a call for a free estimate.