Imagine driving into a parking lot and seeing cracks, blurred lines, and a harsh, crumbling surface. It’s not only an unsettling sight — it’s a sign that the asphalt is deteriorating.

Ignoring asphalt surfaces can lead to expensive repairs, and expanded safety hazards. However, you don’t need to allow it to get to that point. Sealcoating is your asphalt’s best safeguard against various factors, such as wear and tear, and the progression of time.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through all about asphalt sealcoating in Jurupa Valley, CA to know what is best for your parking lot and keep your surfaces looking perfect. Continue reading to find out how sealcoats can expand the lifespan of your asphalt and save you from costly repairs in the future.

This image shows a worker applying a sealcoat layer on an asphalt surface.

What is Sealcoating?

Sealcoating is a treatment applied to asphalt surfaces, like parking lots, driveways, and streets, to protect them from the harmful effects of the weather and day-to-day wear. This process includes extending a thin layer of fluid, specially made for this purpose, over the asphalt, which then, repairs an obstruction of anything that harms the asphalt.

Over the long run, exposure to climate, traffic, and chemicals can make asphalt crack, blur, and fall apart. Sealcoating assists with avoiding these issues, guaranteeing that your asphalt has strength, and is outwardly pleasant for the eye.

What Does Sealcoating Protect Asphalt-Based Pavements From?

Sealcoating gives essential protection against different harming elements that can degrade asphalt surfaces:

Oil Spills

Parking lots and driveways are frequently exposed to oil, fuel, and other auto liquids. These chemicals can penetrate the asphalt, ruining it and prompting cracks. Sealcoating creates a boundary that resists these spills, keeping them from soaking in the asphalt and causing harm.

Water Infiltration

Water is one of the most harmful elements of asphalt. When water enters the surface, it can prompt cracks and corrosion, which weakens the asphalt’s construction, particularly during freeze-defrost processes. Sealcoating is a waterproof layer, keeping water from saturating the asphalt and causing these issues.

UV rays

Consistent exposure to the sun’s UV rays can make asphalt oxidize and lose its adaptability. This prompts the asphalt to become fragile, which improves the probability of cracking and surface corrosion. Sealcoating assists with UV rays, safeguarding the asphalt’s appearance.

Oil, fuel, and other auto-related liquids can greatly cause damage on asphalt surfaces, causing cracks and breakage.

Benefits of Sealcoating

Sealcoating offers various benefits that go past safeguarding your asphalt surface. Here is a breakdown of why it is fundamental:

1. Increases Life Expectancy

Sealcoating safeguards asphalt from the harmful impacts of UV rays, water, and chemicals, broadening the lifespan of your asphalt and keeping it away from significant repairs.

2. Improves Safety

By filling minor cracks and giving a smooth, even surface, sealcoating can lessen the risk of falling by making the area more secure for both the people on foot and in vehicles.

3. Protects From Weathering

Sealcoating is a safeguard against weather-related harm, like sun, rain, snow, and ice, limiting wear and tear after some time.

4. Cost-effective Maintenance

Sealcoating can be budget-friendly by lessening the requirement for costly fixes, making it financially viable for keeping up with your asphalt surfaces.

5. Enhances curb appeal

Sealcoating gives your asphalt a new and aesthetic appearance, making it look very well-maintained, while also keeping the property a pleasing sight to look at.

How Often Should You Sealcoat?

Sealcoating can be applied every 2 to 3 years to keep it well-maintained and give it an appealing look. How often should you do it depends upon factors like environment, traffic volume, and the state of the asphalt.

In areas with harsh weather or traffic, it might be required all the more often, while well-maintained surfaces in milder environments could endure longer between applications.

How Does Sealcoating Work?

Understanding how to apply sealcoating can help you identify what should be done to protect it from moisture and other harmful elements. These are the most common ways that it is applied:

  1. Check conditions: Before sealcoating, checking weather conditions is essential. The process requires a warm, dry climate, preferably with temperatures above 50°F. It’s likewise fundamental to consider the traffic designs and guarantee that the area will be closed off from vehicles during the application.
  2. Surface preparation: The initial step includes completely cleaning the asphalt surface. Soil, debris and jetsam, oil stains, and any plants are removed. Compacted air blowers are used to clean the asphalt and edges, guaranteeing a smooth surface for the sealcoat to stick to.
  3. Spot treatment: Areas with oil stains are treated with a primer to guarantee that the seal coat bonds appropriately to the asphalt.
  4. Application of sealcoat: Sealcoat is applied in two coats using either a brush, wiper, or shower system. The application has to be in a thin layer and reliable.
  5. Recovering time: After application, the sealcoat needs time to dry and cure, normally requiring 24-48 hours depending upon the weather. During this time, the area should stay closed off from traffic to help the sealcoat appropriately set.

3 Signs Your Asphalt Needs Sealcoating

1. Discoloration

At the point when asphalt begins to lose its profound dark tone and becomes dim, it’s an indication that the defensive layer is wearing off and should be reapplied.

2. Cracking

Apparent cracks on a surface show that the sealcoat has worn out and the asphalt is starting to break down.

3. Winter is approaching

Sealcoating before winter shields the asphalt from freeze-defrost processes, which can cause huge harm.

Cost of Sealcoating

The sealcoating cost depends upon a few factors, including the size of the area, the state of the asphalt, and the kind of sealant used. Here is an overall breakdown:

Sealcoating normally costs somewhere in the range of $0.15 and $0.25 per square foot. It is best to know what the measurements of the area are. Then you can simply multiply this quotation amount by the area. For example; if the parking lot to sealcoat is 25,000 square feet, then the total expense of it would be $3750 to $ $6250. Hence, the cost mainly depends upon its size and condition.

Additional Costs

  • Crack Repairs: Huge cracks should be fixed before application to guarantee a smooth surface.
  • Surface Preparation: Thorough cleaning and planning are fundamental for an effective job.
  • Double Coat Application: For added strength, applying different coats might raise the cost yet in addition broadens the life expectancy of the sealcoat.

Choosing the Right Sealcoating Products

While choosing a sealcoating item, you’ll experience two main types: water-based and oil-based seal coatings. Here are the pros and cons of the two:

Water-Based Seal coatings

  • Pros: Harmless to the ecosystem with a lower carbon footprint, quicker drying time, and more precise cleanup.
  • Cons: Normally less reliable than oil-based sealants, requiring more consecutive reapplication.

Oil-Based Seal Coatings

  • Pros: Profoundly strong and versatile, offering prevailing assurance against oil and chemical spills.
  • Cons: Longer drying time and higher carbon footprint, which may not be appropriate for all conditions.

Which one is viable?

Water-based seal coatings are more environmentally friendly and specific to work with, however, they don’t last as long as oil-based sealants. If you focus on strength and long-run commitment, oil-based seal coatings may be the better decision.

Choosing the Right Sealcoat Additives

Sealcoat additives can upgrade the display of sealcoating by improving drying time, variety consistency, and protection from wear. Here are a few normal sorts of added substances:

  • Fast-Drying Additives: These added additives fasten the drying process, allowing the surface to be used sooner after application.
  • Uniform Dry Color Additives: These assist with guaranteeing that the sealcoat dries throughout without any left-out spots, giving a uniform appearance across the whole surface.
  • Performance-Boosting Additives: These added additives upgrade the seal coat protection from chemicals, oil spills, water, and weather, broadening the life expectancy of the surface.
  • Thickening Additives: These are utilized to suspend a lot of sand inside the sealcoat, working on its solidness and giving a finished non-slip surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sealcoating commonly requires 24 to 48 hours to dry enough for foot and vehicle traffic, depending upon atmospheric conditions like temperature and humidity. For complete restoration, which guarantees the greatest sturdiness, it’s ideal to wait for 72 hours before continuing typical use.

No, cracks must be filled to apply sealcoat. The first step is to, wipe out the cracks and fill them with a good crack filler. This guarantees that the surface is smooth and that the sealcoat sticks appropriately, giving extreme protection and a uniform appearance. Then only is it ready to be sealcoated.

While not required, sealcoating is suggested for all asphalt surfaces, particularly those presented with heavy traffic or cruel weather conditions. It protects the asphalt from harming elements over the long run. Regular sealcoating broadens the life expectancy of the asphalt, lessens the requirement for expensive repairs, and keeps the surface looking new and well-maintained.

No, it’s fitting to avoid for like 90 days to a half year before applying a sealcoat to a newly paved region. This holding-up period allows the asphalt to be completely restored and settled, guaranteeing that the sealcoat sticks appropriately.

Sealcoating can fill tiny surface cracks, yet it’s not viable for filling large cracks. Small cracks under 1/8 inch wide might be covered by a sealcoat, however, bigger cracks should be loaded up with a crack filler before sealcoating. This pre-treatment guarantees that the sealcoat gives a smooth and uniform surface. Large, untreated cracks can allow water to enter the asphalt, prompting additional harm and undermining the viability of the sealcoat.

Invest in Sealcoating for Long-Term Protection of Your Asphalt Parking Lots

Sealcoating is an essential step in protecting your asphalt surfaces. It not only enhances the appearance of your property but also extends the life of your asphalt by shielding it from damaging weather, UV rays, and chemicals.

Whether you’re hoping to develop the curb appeal of your property or lessen long-run maintenance costs, it is a wise decision to invest in sealcoating. Try not to hold on until your asphalt gives signs of immense wear — plan an application today and enjoy the long-run benefits it offers.

Get in touch with Navarro, and let us help you enhance the lifespan and quality of your asphalt projects with our reliable sealcoating services.