The Joy of Building

If you are getting ready to have sealcoating applied to your asphalt parking lot, one of the things you should discuss with the contractors is whether or not you need to fill the visible cracks that exist. In some cases, cracks may be shallow enough not to worry about it, but many situations benefit from investing in crack filler before you sealcoat the parking lot. Here's a look at what you need to know.

Why Do You Need To Fill Cracks Before Sealcoating? 

You might think that you don't need to worry about the cracks because the sealcoating material will fill them in anyway. This isn't really the case. The sealcoating might fill in some of the shallow, surface cracks, but any deep cracks won't get the fill that they need from sealcoating. The sealcoating mixture isn't thick enough to create a structural bond in those cracks, so you'll find that the asphalt is still weakened and vulnerable beneath that new surface you applied. This can ultimately lead to issues with the structural integrity of the parking lot, causing potholes, crumbling, and other hazards.

How Do You Know If You Need To Fill Cracks Before Sealcoating?

A good rule of thumb is to just have all of the cracks in your asphalt filled before you pursue sealcoating. However, that's not always practical. After all, sealcoating will address some of the shallow surface damage. Talk with your asphalt sealcoating contractor about the cracks that are present in your parking lot. They can help you assess each one and identify any that are deep enough or large enough to need filler before your sealcoating is applied. 

Does Crack Filler Need To Cure?

It is best to have the cracks filled at least a few days before your sealcoating is applied. Your sealcoating contractor will tell you how long you need to wait based on the actual crack filler mixture that's used. It's important not to rush this process because you want to preserve the strength and durability of that crack filler before you apply the surface coating.

These are just a few of the things that every business owner should consider if they are sealcoating a parking lot. Talk with your contractor today about the structural integrity of your asphalt so that you don't risk coating over significant damage or concerns. The more proactive you are about filling those cracks before you sealcoat, the longer lifespan you'll get from your investment.

For more info, contact a company like Carolina Striping of North Carolina Inc.