What issues will sealcoating not fix in your parking lot?
Maintaining a pristine parking lot is essential for any business owner. After all, your parking lot is often the first point of contact for customers, and a well-maintained parking lot not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your property but also ensures safety for pedestrians and vehicles alike. One of the key maintenance strategies for an asphalt parking lot is sealcoating.
However, it’s important to understand that while sealcoating offers numerous benefits, there are certain issues it cannot fix. In this guide, we’ll delve into what sealcoating cannot remedy in your parking lot.
Structural Damage
Sealcoating is primarily designed to protect and enhance the surface of your parking lot. It cannot address underlying structural issues such as significant cracks, or potholes. These issues require proper repair and, in some cases, may even necessitate resurfacing or reconstruction of the affected areas. Therefore, if your parking lot exhibits extensive structural damage, it’s crucial to address these issues before sealcoating.
Substantial Cracks and Potholes
While sealcoating can help prevent small cracks from worsening and protect your parking lot from moisture penetration, it is not a solution for large or deep cracks, or potholes. These issues require professional repair services, which may involve patching or filling with appropriate materials to ensure a smooth and safe surface.
Faded Striping
Sealcoating can provide a fresh, black finish to your parking lot, enhancing its overall appearance. However, it cannot restore or replace faded striping. Parking lot striping is crucial for efficient traffic flow and designated parking spaces. If your lot’s striping has faded over time, it’s essential to invest in restriping services to maintain order and safety.
Complete Protection Against UV Rays
While sealcoating offers protection against various elements, including UV rays, it is not impervious to UV damage over an extended period. Continuous exposure to sunlight can gradually degrade the sealcoat materials, leading to wear and tear over time. To mitigate UV damage, it’s advisable to incorporate a comprehensive pavement maintenance program that includes periodic inspections and reapplication of sealcoating as needed.
Long-Term Solution Without Regular Maintenance
Sealcoating provides an effective barrier against moisture, oil, and other harmful substances, prolonging the lifespan of your asphalt surface. However, it is not a one-time fix. To reap the full benefits of sealcoating, it’s essential to implement a proactive maintenance plan that includes regular inspections, cleaning, and reapplication of sealcoat as recommended by professionals. Neglecting maintenance can diminish the effectiveness of sealcoating and lead to the premature deterioration of your parking lot.
Contact PLS for Sealcoating Services in Tampa Bay
While sealcoating offers a cost-effective solution to protect and improve your parking lot’s appearance, it’s essential to recognize its limitations. Sealcoating cannot repair structural damage, substantial cracks, or potholes.
Additionally, it does not replace faded striping or provide complete immunity against UV rays. Moreover, sealcoating is not a one-time solution and requires ongoing maintenance to ensure long-term effectiveness. By understanding these limitations and incorporating proper maintenance practices, you can maximize the benefits of sealcoating and extend the lifespan of your asphalt parking lot.
At Parking Lot Services (PLS), we specialize in comprehensive pavement maintenance solutions, including sealcoating, crack sealing, striping, and more.
Contact us today to learn how we can help improve and protect your parking lot investment.