Judson Burdon

Like most maintenance projects, repairing the lines on your parking lot will be less expensive if completed by you. In fact, taking a little time to do the work yourself can save you and your facility as much as 90% per linear foot versus what a contractor would have charged. Unlike other asphalt maintenance jobs such as crack filling and sealcoating, however, line striping properly requires adherence to highly specific measurements mandated by various governing bodies. 

With the sun, rain, ice and traffic constantly assaulting your asphalt surface, cracks developing in the blacktop is an all too common experience for countless property owners and managers – one that can lead to greater damage and even hazardous conditions!

When they do appear, it’s important to repair them as soon as possible to prevent them from worsening and leading to more extensive, and expensive, repairs. Doing so effectively requires the right preparation—otherwise, you'll be wasting your time and your asphalt will continue to deteriorate. 

Here are several useful tips to help you properly prepare a crack for filling:

Asphalt parking lot striping machines come in a variety of models with specific features best suited for certain projects.

Sealcoating a driveway or parking lot is not only one of the most important steps a property manager can take to maintain it and prolong its lifespan, it’s also an investment that can add value and curb appeal to the property. An attractive, dark coat of sealer will only look professional, though, when the entire surface is sealed evenly and neatly—including its edges. 

Like any other asphalt surface, airport runways and aprons need to be maintained properly to avoid damage. This responsibility is even greater at airports to prevent cracks or potholes that could jeopardize the safety of aircraft and passengers. 

Applying a fresh coat of sealer to an asphalt surface is one of the most important steps to maximizing the longevity of a driveway or parking lot. It’s also one of the easiest. All it takes to properly apply sealer to blacktop is following a handful of simple steps. With just a little bit of practice, anyone can master this important task, while also saving a bundle in the short and long term. 

A general rule of thumb for virtually any business is to buy supplies in bulk, whenever possible. The asphalt maintenance industry is no different. 

Sealcoating Tips

Sealcoating is one of the most proactive steps a homeowner can take to ensure the longevity of their driveway. Professionals recommend a driveway should be resealed once every three years. But when that comes around, what time of the year is best? 

The asphalt maintenance industry is full of opportunities for entrepreneurs to build successful businesses and become their own boss. One category of asphalt maintenance with great income potential, whether on its own or in addition to other blacktop services, is line striping. With any successful business, though, there comes a time when management must begin considering next steps, and how to grow their company even more. 

You’ve got your spray system, you’ve got your sealer, you’ve surveyed and prepped the surface of your asphalt, and you're eager to get started. Now all that’s left is to get that sealcoat spray system ready to work, and you’ll be able to start applying sealer to an asphalt surface to protect it from the elements.