Most commercial properties are equipped with an asphalt parking lot. Asphalt is an affordable and durable material that can provide your employees and customers with a safe place to park. Unfortunately, a lack of maintenance can lead to catastrophic parking lot failure. Sealcoating is one maintenance task that you should never overlook.

Here are three questions that you should ask your paving contractor when it's time to sealcoat your asphalt to ensure you get the best results possible.

1. Why is Sealcoating Important?

As soon as an asphalt parking lot is completed, the oxidation process begins. Oil and water can slowly seep through the surface of the asphalt and compromise the structural integrity of your parking lot. Temperature fluctuations can also contribute to the formation of hairline cracks that provide an entry point for water to infiltrate your asphalt.

Sealcoating is essential if you want to address minor asphalt damage and prevent any major failures from plaguing your parking lot in the future. A thin layer of new asphalt will be applied over the surface of your parking lot during sealcoating. This fresh layer extends the life of the asphalt below, allowing your parking lot to remain functional over a longer period of time.

2. What's the Best Way to Prepare for Sealcoating?

Since your parking lot is probably a busy area, you don't want it to be out of commission for too long. The best way to streamline the sealcoating process and reduce the amount of time required to treat your parking lot is to prepare for the sealcoating process early.

You can work with your contractor to identify the days and times when your parking lot has the least amount of traffic. This information will be compared against the local weather forecast to determine which of your slow days and times matches up with the temperature and weather conditions needed for sealcoating to be completed. Find a local contractor, like Bryer Asphalt Paving, who is familiar with your area and can best answer these questions for you.

3. What Happens After Sealcoating?

You will need to work closely with your paving contractor to determine how long your sealcoating must dry and cure before vehicles can be driven across your parking lot again. Giving your sealcoating ample time to dry ensures that the protective layer is as strong and durable as possible.

Some contractors offer sealcoating products that cure in a matter of hours, allowing you to get back to business as usual with minimal inconvenience and delay. Be prepared to give your parking lot the time it needs to dry and cure after sealcoating.