Untreated blacktop breaks down quickly, especially when it’s used for demanding applications like busy parking lots and commercial driveways. To prevent this problem, it’s important to apply sealcoating in Columbus. Sealcoating protects the pavement from bad weather, freeze and thaw cycles, and leaked automotive fluids. It also makes the pavement look great, which is important for drawing in customers.
There are many companies that offer sealcoating services, but they are far from being the same. Hill’s Blacktop, for example, uses between five and seven pounds of sand per gallon of sealer. Other companies typically use only two to four pounds. This means that the sealant from a typical company won’t be as durable as it could be.
Another difference to look for is the method of application. It’s best to have the first coat applied with a self-propelled squeegee machine rather than a sprayer. This drives the sealant down into the pores of the asphalt, whereas spraying allows it to merely sit on top where it doesn’t provide enough protection. The second coat can be sprayed on since it’s only reinforcing the first one.
Some business owners or managers worry that getting sealcoating in Columbus will require the parking lot to be closed for a prolonged period. In reality, it only needs to be closed for a total of 24 hours. For businesses that close on Sunday, this means that the entire operation can be done before it’s time to open on Monday. Nowadays, however, most businesses are open all week long. The usual workaround is to have only part of the lot done at one time. This leaves enough room for people to park, and over the course of a few days, the entire area can be fully sealcoated.
There are a couple of situations in which sealcoating is not recommended. If your parking lot is heavily shattered, it should be repaved with a new layer of asphalt rather than sealant. It’s also a good idea to forgo sealant for lots that get heavy semi-truck traffic unless the pavement has had a sealing regimen from early on.
Other than in those two situations, sealcoating is a great way to preserve asphalt in a commercial parking lot. Make sure to schedule service regularly so the pavement doesn’t wear out.
