4 Critical Benefits of Asphalt Sealcoating in the Summer

It’s that time of year when you see asphalt paving contractors re-seal and spray shiny, black coating and repaint the lines on parking lots across Northern Virginia. Depending on your traffic and drainage situation, your parking lots should have this sealcoating maintenance done every 2-3 years for the following 4 reasons (contact Espina Paving at (703) 491-9100 if it’s time for your parking lots to be sealcoated).

1. Sealcoating Keeps out Water

Water is a constant problem for asphalt parking lots. This is why asphalt installation should include proper drainage arrangements. But even when great drainage is in place, traffic and climate can slowly degrade the surface of your asphalt so that tiny cracks allow water from rain and snowmelt into the asphalt. Regular sealcoating repairs even tiny cracks you can’t see to prevent damaging water infiltration.

2. Sealcoating Protects against the Freeze-Thaw Cycle

Having your sealcoating updated in the summer is smart preparation for winter. If little cracks have been letting water in for months, and then we have a winter of freezing, ice, snow and thawing cycles, that water inside the cracks will expand and contract over and over again, gradually enlarging the cracks until they become potholes. Again, sealcoating can prevent this, which will save you thousands of dollars in parking lot repairs.

3. Sealcoating Protects against Spills, Corrosion and UV Rays

Regularly-scheduled sealcoating maintenance also protects the asphalt against the day-to-day damage from UV rays, traffic, and any potential corrosion from spills and automobile drips. This protection prevents damage and cracks from forming and allowing the water/freeze-thaw situation from damaging your asphalt.

4. Improves Winter Snow and Ice Melting without Chemicals

A fresh sealcoating layer is dark, which makes any snow and ice melt faster from your parking lots. This allows you to use less snow-melt and can decrease the amount of snowplow damage you might get over a hard winter. It also improves traction and reduces safety hazards for anyone driving or walking in the parking lot.

Finally, a freshly-sealcoated parking lot looks great. It improves the curb appeal of your business, apartment complex, restaurant, hotel, bank, school, church or other commercial property. It definitely shows your patrons, residents or customers that your attention to detail is strong. To check your parking lots’ sealcoating schedule, just schedule a summer pavement consultation with Espina Paving in Northern Virginia today: (703) 491-9100.