Sealcoating for educational facilities is an important but often overlooked maintenance service. Because many schools operate on a tight budget, administrators and property managers forgo this service. In doing so, asphalt surfaces deteriorate quicker, resulting in rising upkeep costs, safety concerns and more.
Here’s what you need to know about Dallas sealcoating and why school facilities need it.
What is Sealcoating for Educational Facilities?
Sealcoating for school facilities is an important part of asphalt maintenance. Asphalt paving is widely used in commercial, municipal and educational properties. In schools, it’s the go-to for parking lots, loading docks, bus pick-up and drop-off areas and more. While tough, asphalt isn’t immune to damage.
Asphalt can deteriorate faster than most realize due to regular use, sun exposure and rain. Over time, the binders in the asphalt oxidize, causing the material to become brittle and prone to cracking.
Sealcoating acts as a protective barrier that prevents damage. Contractors apply a specialized sealer over the pavement, allowing it to cure before surfaces are ready to use. Once cured, the sealer restores the asphalt and protects it from damage. With regular educational institution sealcoating, asphalt paving can last for several decades.
What Happens to Asphalt That Doesn’t Receive Regular Sealcoating?
Without asphalt sealcoating, pavement can deteriorate faster than it should. Surfaces will become brittle, allowing cracks to develop. When tough weather hits the area, water can penetrate the asphalt, wreaking havoc on its foundation. Furthermore, sun exposure and vehicle chemical spills will continue damaging the material.
Before long, minor cracks turn into huge voids. Paving could also experience potholes, alligator cracks, uneven settling and more.
Well-maintained asphalt can last 30 years or more, but it needs Dallas sealcoating to get there. While sealcoating for school facilities is another expense administrators must budget for, regular upkeep can save educational institutions from footing the bill for major repairs or early reconstruction.
How Often is Sealcoating for Educational Facilities Necessary?
The good news is that administrators don’t have to plan for educational institution sealcoating annually. Instead, experts recommend getting sealcoating every three to five years, depending on the pavement condition.
Administrators and property managers should schedule annual inspections. Having contractors visit the property yearly to tackle repairs can make all the difference. While there, they can determine whether it’s time for sealcoating.
What’s the Asphalt Sealcoating Process Like for School Facilities?
Asphalt sealcoating is a relatively straightforward process.
It all begins with blocking off the treatment area. Dallas sealcoating needs time to cure, and surfaces are unusable. Most asphalt emulsion sealers will cure in good weather in 24 to 48 hours. If necessary, school facilities can work with contractors to complete the job in sections, keeping some part of the asphalt usable.
After blocking entrances, contractors clean the asphalt to ensure a tight bond. This process may involve using heavy-duty brushers to blast dirt and debris from cracks, power washing and treatment of oil stains. Once the surface is dry, teams can start the process.
Contractors use various tools to spread up to two thin layers of sealer onto the pavement’s surface. The sealer needs to cure between layers, so larger projects may be multi-day affairs. After a full cure, contractors inspect the area, ensure the sealer bonded correctly and remove barriers.
Hi-Tek Paving Services is an experienced asphalt maintenance contractor with over a decade of experience serving property owners in and around Dallas. We’re a family-owned and -operated company that can complete educational institution sealcoating while minimizing downtime and disruptions. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we’ll work with you to get the job done right.
At Hi-Tek, we’re proud to be one of the most trusted asphalt contractors in the area. Our services include asphalt repairs, new paving, concrete installation, parking lot maintenance and striping.
Call (214) 908-9641 to contact the Hi-Tek team for your free project quote. You can also submit your information through our online contact form or email kevin@hi-tekpaving.com for more information about sealcoating for school facilities.