Frequently Asked Questions
Why Asphalt Sealcoating?
Asphalt sealcoating is a service you can’t afford to do without. It’s a form of preventive maintenance that helps safeguard your asphalt from damaging elements, including harsh UV rays, water penetration, corrosive chemicals, vehicle oil leaks, general wear, and more. Without sealcoating, your pavement is at the whims of Mother Nature.
Over time, open exposure without protection can lead to oxidation and accelerated deterioration. Asphalt binders break down, making the surface brittle and susceptible to cracking. Then, water can penetrate the pavement, erode the foundation layers, and more. That leads to potholes, subsidence, structural integrity issues, and eventual failure.
Sealcoating helps protect against all that. It’s a straightforward service that forms a protective barrier over your asphalt, helping to prevent damage, improve longevity, maintain safety, and more.
How Often Is Parking Lot Striping Needed?
Parking lot striping doesn’t last forever. All paint formulas, even the most long-lasting, will eventually fade and deteriorate. That said, how often you should stripe your parking lot varies based on several factors. Some considerations include:
- The age and condition of the asphalt
- The quality of the paint formula used
- Recent weather conditions
- Exposure levels
- Traffic volume
Generally, contractors recommend restriping lines and reapplying pavement markings once they lose about 25 percent of their visibility. For standard water- and solvent-based paints, that’s usually 18 to 24 months after application. Your goal should be to restripe before paint fades to that 25 percent threshold. The best way to do that is to schedule routine inspections.
Parking lot striping companies can assess your pavement and the last paint application, helping you determine when to schedule restriping services.
Is Asphalt Crack Filling Necessary?
Asphalt crack filling is a necessary service to incorporate into your long-term pavement maintenance routine. Cracks are the most common form of damage to affect asphalt surfaces. However, don’t let that prevalence fool you into thinking that cracks don’t need repairs.
Every crack is a potential entry point for water. It’s also a safety hazard. If you leave cracks unaddressed, it’s only a matter of time before water seeps into the foundation and wreaks havoc. Before long, you’ll have potholes, subsidence, and severe damage. All the while, cracks will spread, and voids will widen.
Professional asphalt crack filling prevents that and more. It keeps water out while preventing further damage. This service is integral to long-term pavement care, helping to maintain safety, beauty, and accessibility while protecting longevity.
Should I Repair Potholes Prior to Sealcoating?
Absolutely! Many assume that asphalt sealcoating is a fix-all solution that can magically correct all damage. While sealcoating is important, it’s not a service that truly repairs anything. It’s preventative maintenance. As a result, you should never replace sealcoating with standard repairs like asphalt crack filling or patching.
If you’re dealing with potholes, always schedule repairs before sealcoating. Hire repair contractors well ahead of a sealcoating service appointment to ensure all repair compounds have time to cure fully before sealing.
Sealcoating should be among the last steps in your maintenance routine. Handle all repairs beforehand, and sealcoating will act as that final, finishing protective layer. It can cover any color differences and help to create a smoother finish. In many cases, sealcoating can cover up any signs of damage and repair while giving the work all the protection it needs moving forward.
Will Sealcoating Cover Stains on My Asphalt Pavement?
Sealcoating does more than protect. It can also refresh old, discolored, and stained asphalt, restoring the glossy black finish of blacktop paving. That said, whether sealers can cover stains depends on several factors.
The first is the quality of the sealer itself. Most contractors use an asphalt emulsion sealer, and formulations can vary. The best sealers have a high bitumen concentration, producing the blackest finish possible.
Another factor to consider is the stain’s severity. Deep stains can be tougher to cover, even with premium sealers.
The best thing to do is consult an experienced asphalt sealcoating professional. They can assess the stain closely and take additional steps to promote more coverage, including extensive surface prep, pre-treatments, and stain removal.
When Should I Get My Asphalt Pavement Sealed?
All asphalt surfaces require sealcoating. Experts typically recommend service every two to five years, depending on the age and condition of your pavement. Most paving will require sealing every two or three years, but newer, low-traffic surfaces may do well with up to five years between service appointments.
Asphalt sealer will only bond to clean, dry pavement. Therefore, sealcoating requires careful timing and considerable planning. The best time to complete sealcoating projects is during spring and summer, when temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity is below 50 percent.
However, most sealers can perform well in cooler conditions. The threshold for successful asphalt sealing is around 50 degrees. Anything cooler, and the sealer will struggle to cure. In addition to warm temperatures, most manufacturers recommend low humidity, steady wind speeds, and zero chance of precipitation.
When Is Asphalt Repair Needed?
Your pavement requires asphalt repair service whenever it faces serious damage. Minor issues, such as surface cracking, are best addressed through annual maintenance tasks, like asphalt crack filling. However, anything else warrants immediate attention. It’s important to seek service from reputable asphalt repair companies whenever facing issues like:
- Potholes
- Extensive cracking
- Pooling water
- Drainage concerns
- Surface raveling
- Rutting
- Settling
- Upheavals
Delaying repair work can cost you. Because damage makes asphalt more vulnerable to water penetration, issues can worsen more quickly than most realize. Asphalt can deteriorate rapidly, putting the entire surface’s structural integrity at risk. Don’t neglect repairs. Hire contractors as soon as possible to restore integrity, reliability, and safety.
What is the Life Expectancy of Parking Lot Striping?
Exposure and wear will take a toll on parking lot striping. No paint formula will last forever. However, the rate of fading and deterioration varies wildly based on several factors. In addition to the quality of the paint used, traffic volume, exposure levels, recent weather conditions, and the overall state of your asphalt can affect how quickly striping fades.
Generally, the best rule of thumb is to expect 18 to 24 months of longevity. Experts advise reapplying paint once existing lines and markings lose roughly 25 percent of their visibility. For most standard paint formulas, including those containing water and solvents, it takes 18 to 24 months to reach that rate of visibility loss.
The best way to know when you need to reapply lines is to schedule regular inspections. Experts will assess overall visibility and fading, helping you schedule striping appointments regardless of the factors affecting your striping longevity.
