A new asphalt driveway or parking lot is an investment. Protecting that investment with regular seal coating can extend its life indefinitely.
Re-sealing is an inexpensive way to prevent future damages like cracks and potholes. It also enhances the look of asphalt paving, making it look fresh and new. A few signs that you may need a new seal coat include graying pavement, oil spots, and fine cracks. Visit https://www.rochesternysealcoating.com/ to learn more.
Asphalt pavement is made up of rock and stone aggregate, held together with a binder that is derived from the distillation of certain crude oils. This binder is essential in preventing damage to the aggregate. Rain, sunlight and the chemicals from vehicle fluids degrade the binder and cause asphalt to deteriorate. The best way to protect against deterioration is by sealcoating your asphalt every two years.
Once your paved surface is damaged, it’s difficult to stop the deterioration without costly repairs. But, regular maintenance can stop damage from occurring in the first place. Sealcoating your asphalt can extend the life of your paved surfaces by as much as double, saving you money in the long run.
The sun’s UV rays can be damaging to asphalt, and a good sealcoat acts as a sunblock by preventing the oxidation of the asphalt. Sealcoating also helps to prevent water from seeping into cracks in the paved surface and causing further damage.
In addition, a sealcoat increases the texture of your pavement and helps to increase the friction between the road and the tires, making it more safe to drive on. The final benefit is that it is easy to maintain a driveway or parking lot after sealcoating. The paving materials can be swept with a broom and washed with a pressure washer.
When it comes to the best time to sealcoat, we recommend that it is done between 6 months and a year after your new asphalt pavement has been installed to give it a chance to cure. After that, we recommend having your asphalt sealed every other year for normal use and every year if your driveway or parking lot experiences heavy traffic.
A professional pavement contractor will clean the surface of your asphalt prior to sealing, using blowers and rotary brooms for a crisp finished look. Any linear cracks will be hot rubberized and filled. Before applying the sealant, any oil or grease spots will be treated with a special primer to ensure proper adhesion. The pavement will be broom swept afterward to eliminate any loose gravel and to prepare the surface for the application of the sealcoat.
Prevents Deterioration
Asphalt is a petroleum product and like anything made from crude oil, it breaks down and deteriorates over time. Sealcoating prevents this deterioration and protects your investment by adding an extra layer of defense against harmful elements.
The oxidation of asphalt causes the pavement to fade from black to gray or white and gives it a worn, tired appearance. Sealcoating restores that rich black color and adds an attractive appearance to your property. It also improves safety and traction during wet weather conditions.
Once the asphalt deteriorates, small cracks start to form. If left untreated, these cracks can grow larger and lead to potholes. Sealcoating keeps oxidation from occurring and helps to prevent cracks from forming, saving you money on costly repairs in the future.
Sealcoating creates a barrier that blocks out the sun’s UV rays, which can damage and erode the asphalt. It also acts as a water repellent, keeping the rain, snow and ice away from the asphalt surface. This helps to extend the life of the asphalt and makes it much easier to maintain.
A sealcoat can make the surface of your asphalt look new again, which can improve your curb appeal and increase the value of your property. Sealcoating also allows you to wash your driveway without fear of the water seeping into the cracks. It will be much easier to sweep away any dirt, dust or sand that is on the surface as well.
Before beginning the process of sealcoating, workers will need to clean the asphalt. This will remove any stains that are present on the surface, such as gas and motor oil. They will flash heat these stains to burn off the petroleum, creating a fresher and cleaner surface for the sealant to bond with.
Keep in mind that sealcoating only works on healthy asphalt, and it doesn’t repair cracked or crumbling areas of the surface. It is a maintenance technique, and not a replacement for repaving. Make sure to have any asphalt repairs, such as filling cracks and patching potholes, done before having the sealcoat applied.
Prevents Damage to Vehicles
Asphalt is an important material in modern construction, as it’s used for everything from driveways to parking lots. But while asphalt is great for providing a smooth surface that’s easy to drive on, it can be harmed by the elements and normal wear and tear. Sealcoating prevents these issues and keeps your asphalt looking beautiful and functioning properly.
Aside from preventing potholes, sealcoating protects your asphalt from water damage. If left unprotected, asphalt surfaces can experience a type of damage known as hydroplaning, which happens when rainwater seeps into the cracks in your pavement and becomes trapped. When this happens, the water can freeze and cause larger cracks and other forms of damage. Sealcoating prevents this from happening by sealing in the small cracks and keeping water out.
The sun’s UV rays can also damage your asphalt, breaking down the binders that hold together the aggregate. In addition to causing fading and losing color, this can weaken the structure of your asphalt, leading to more damage. Sealcoating protects your asphalt from the UV rays of the sun by creating a shield that keeps them from directly impacting the surface.
Another way that sealcoating helps keep your asphalt functional and safe is by preventing chemicals from damaging it. Things like oil, gasoline, car fluids and salt can all damage your asphalt if they aren’t properly contained. Sealcoating acts as a protective barrier that prevents these chemicals from reaching the underground layers of your asphalt and damaging it.
Before applying the seal coat, workers will thoroughly clean the asphalt. This is to remove any dirt, debris and oil that has accumulated on the surface. Workers can then use spray hoses to apply a thick layer of seal coat to the entire surface, including the edges. Once the coating has been applied, it will need to dry for 24 hours. During this time, it’s a good idea to have all vehicles removed from the area and to block off the sealed area with cones and barricades. Once the seal coat has dried, workers can remove the barricades and cones, and traffic can resume on the newly-sealed surface.
Prevents Damage to Property
If you want your asphalt to last as long as possible, you should consider sealcoating it. This will prevent cracking and deterioration, making your pavement stronger and more attractive. Cracking is caused by a number of factors, including water seepage and temperature changes. A sealcoat can help stop cracking before it starts by providing a barrier against water and preventing it from seeping into the cracks in your asphalt.
It also helps keep temperatures even, protecting your asphalt from colder weather damage. Cracks can widen with exposure to freezing temperatures and become deeper, which makes it more difficult for you to repair them. Sealcoating can help keep your asphalt strong and stable, preventing damage to your driveway or parking lot and saving you money on repairs.
The smooth surface created by a sealcoat makes it easier to sweep and clean your asphalt, reducing the amount of time and effort you spend on maintenance. It also prevents dirt, debris and oil stains from adhering to the asphalt, which can save you money on cleaning products and removers. Sealcoating can also make your asphalt look blacker and more appealing, restoring its curb appeal and improving the overall appearance of your property.
As a homeowner, you may be able to tackle a DIY sealcoating project if you are prepared for a little hard work. However, you should be aware that sealcoating requires a high-quality asphalt sealant with a proper mixing ratio and proper application techniques. The product should be applied to a clean, dry surface and cracks should be filled with a crack filler that is compatible with the sealant you choose. If you are not comfortable tackling this task yourself, you should seek out a professional to have the job done.
Although sealcoating is a great way to extend the life of your asphalt, it does not fix or restore damaged or crumbling pavement. If your asphalt has severe cracking, alligator cracking or has eroded to the point of potholes, it is important that you have these issues repaired before having a sealant applied. A professional will be able to assess your asphalt and determine the best course of action for repairing it and applying a sealant.
