The United States uses approximately 350 million tons of asphalt a year. About 94 percent of U.S. roadways are made of asphalt, and it is an essential component of most airport runways, parking lots, and other surfaces.

If your business has a high-traffic parking lot that is in need of repair, you are probably exploring options for fixing it. This can be essential to creating a good experience for your customers or staff.

This article covers the basics of slurry seal as well as the many advantages it can offer. Keep reading to find out if it is the right option for your parking lot.

What Is Slurry Seal?

Slurry seal refers to a specialized asphalt pavement application. It uses a mixture of water, emulsified asphalt, fine aggregates, and binding ingredients.

Slurry seals are optimal for high-traffic environments and is a long-lasting solution that provides durable protection while enhancing the overall structural integrity of the asphalt surface.

Advantages of Slurry Seal

There are many advantages to using a slurry seal. Here are the main ones to consider.

Strength and Protection

One of the biggest advantages of a slurry seal is that it helps prevent major damage. It is resistant to water and offers long-term protection against moisture due to its thick and durable nature.

This type of seal is also designed to hold up against impacts or heavy vehicle use. It helps strengthen the under-lying pavement by filling in cracks and other areas that have experienced damage.

Improved Surface Appearance

A parking lot strewn with potholes, cracks, or large chunks of missing asphalt is unpleasant to drive on. It also is unattractive. A slurry seal provides a brand-new surface without completely re-pouring the paved area.

Better Traction

The aggregates in the slurry seal provide a hard, textured surface once they cure. This is good for durability but also traction. It does so by creating a rougher surface that provides more contact points with vehicle tires.

This can go a long way toward skid resistance. It can be particularly useful in parking lots with more acute slopes.

Minimal Disruption

Applying a slurry seal is also much less disruptive than making parking lot repairs. Though slurry seals require heavy machinery to apply, application is quick, so you do not have to worry about your parking lot being out of commission for long periods. It typically takes about 8-10 hours to cure in ideal weather conditions.

It also is a great way to address minor issues before they become bigger problems.

Cost-Effectiveness

It is easy to see how this is an economical alternative. Completely replacing paved areas requires a great deal of time and labor. It involves breaking apart and removing old sections, preparing the ground, a building a new frame for the application.

Apart from replacing the entire asphalt area, a slurry seal is also a low-cost alternative to doing parking lot repairs. Applying it every several years (around 6-9 years) allows you to forgo costly pavement maintenance and restorations.

Find Slurry Seal Near You

Now that you understand the benefits of a slurry seal and how it can completely transform a commercial parking lot, you can decide if it is the right option for you.

Preferred Paving Company has been serving Orange County and the surrounding areas since 1986. We offer the highest quality commercial paving services and products at competitive prices. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your project.