Oil Spot Removal

Oil spots may seem cosmetic, but they do more than stain. They break down the binders in asphalt, leading to soft spots and early pavement failure. Before we can apply sealcoat or perform other maintenance, oil spots need to be properly treated first. We use commercial-grade degreasers and primers that clean the surface and neutralize the oil so it won't seep back through. In cases of deep saturation, we may recommend cutting out and replacing the affected section instead.

Signs your asphalt needs oil spot removal:

  • Dark, greasy stains on the pavement that don't wash away with rain

  • Soft or crumbling asphalt in spots where vehicles regularly park

  • You're planning sealcoating or other maintenance and have visible oil stains

  • A stain keeps reappearing after cleaning

Parking spot in Durham, NC with wet pavement and a prominent oil spot, surrounded by green bushes and trees in the background.
A dark oil spot mars an asphalt parking lot in Durham, NC. A concrete curb is on the right side. Green bushes are in the background, and sunlight filters through trees, creating shadows on the ground.

How it Works, Step by Step:

  1. Assess the damage. We determine how deep the oil has saturated the asphalt.

  2. Clean and treat. Commercial-grade degreasers and primers clean the surface and neutralize the oil.

  3. Check for deep saturation. Heavily saturated areas may need to be removed and patched rather than just treated.

  4. Cut and patch if needed. Severely damaged sections are cut out and replaced.

  5. Confirm it's ready. Treated areas are cleared before any sealcoating or other maintenance goes on top.

Considerations

Not all oil damage can be cleaned. Heavily saturated areas may need to be removed and patched instead. Timely treatment is key to preventing long-term damage, the longer oil sits, the more of the surface it compromises.

How pricing is determined

Pricing is based on square footage and severity. Patching, if needed, is quoted separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • It depends on how deep the oil has saturated. Surface staining can usually be cleaned and neutralized. Heavily saturated spots may need to be cut out and patched instead, since the oil has already broken down the asphalt underneath.

  • Yes. Oil spots need to be treated before sealcoat or other maintenance goes on, or the sealer won't bond properly and the oil can keep seeping through.

  • Oil breaks down the binders that hold asphalt together, softening the surface and eventually leading to crumbling or early failure. It's not just a stain, it's active damage.

  • Once we've treated and neutralized it, it shouldn't. That's the difference between our treatment and just power-washing a stain, we're stopping the oil from continuing to work into the surface, not just making it look better temporarily.

Related Services

Sealcoating & Crack Fill

Oil spots have to be treated before sealcoating goes on, or the sealer won't bond properly.

Asphalt Rejuvenator

Both are preventive treatments aimed at protecting pavement that's still in good shape, before it needs a bigger repair.

Milling & Patching

When oil damage goes too deep to treat, cutting out and patching the affected section is the fix.
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We’d love to help get rid of the oil spots on your asphalt!

Drop us a line - we’re here to help (and we’ll actually call you back)!

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