Sealcoating isn’t just a maintenance task—it’s a crucial one that significantly slows down the natural asphalt degradation process and extends your pavement surface’s lifespan. It also reduces the need for costly repairs.
Refined coal tar or asphalt emulsion is mixed with fine bits of aggregate, fillers, and additives, plus water to create a liquid sealcoat. Before applying, the pavement must be completely clean to ensure a strong bond. Visit https://www.rochesternysealcoating.com/ to learn more.
Asphalt is the material that paved the streets and highways we drive on, and it’s also commonly used as the surface for driveways and parking lots. It’s an incredibly durable material, and with proper maintenance can last 20-30 years. But when left neglected, asphalt can become damaged and develop cracks or potholes that will require expensive repair or replacement.
The best way to prevent this from happening is by sealcoating your pavement regularly. Sealcoating is a liquid layer that’s added over your paved surfaces to protect them from the sun’s UV rays, rain and snow, chemicals from gas and oil, and other harmful substances. It can’t repair existing damage, like cracks, but it does help to limit future damage by keeping out these elements.
When properly applied, sealcoat creates a smooth, even color and appearance over your asphalt surfaces that’s like new. It’s important to choose the right time to apply the sealant, though. If the weather is too cold or hot, the sealant won’t dry or adhere to the surface properly. It’s also vital to make sure your asphalt is free of grease stains, raised spots, and cracks before you sealcoat it.
In addition to protecting the asphalt, sealcoating can improve your curb appeal and make your business or property look more appealing and professional. This can be especially important if you have a storefront that faces a street or a driveway that faces your home. A clean, well-maintained asphalt surface will attract customers and increase the value of your property.
Not only will a professionally-applied sealcoat protect your asphalt, but it will also save you money on repairs and maintenance costs. When you have a professional install a sealcoat and apply it to your pavement every few years, it can extend the lifespan of your asphalt significantly. This can save you thousands of dollars in the long run, as you won’t need to pay for costly repairs or replacements.
Keeps It Looking Great
A driveway or parking lot that hasn’t been properly maintained will start to show signs of wear and tear. Eventually, these signs can lead to more expensive repairs. By applying a fresh layer of seal coat on a regular basis, you can protect your pavement from damage and extend its life. In addition, your driveway or parking lot will have a beautiful black finish that will add to its curb appeal and make it look newer.
Aside from preventing cracks, an asphalt sealcoat will also help to prevent water damage. Water tends to soak into untreated asphalt and can spread cracks or cause severe deterioration over time. When you have a seal coat applied, it creates a barrier that helps to keep water on top of the surface where it can evaporate.
In addition to protecting your pavement from water damage, a sealcoat will help to keep debris out. Dirt, sand, gravel and other unwanted material can get stuck in the cracks of your pavement and cause serious damage. Sealcoating will keep these materials out, allowing you to use your pavement for years to come.
If you’re looking to sell or rent out your home, a clean and well-maintained driveway will improve the appearance of your property and increase its value. Sealcoating your driveway will not only make it look great, but it’ll save you from expensive repairs in the future.
Asphalt is a resilient material that can withstand the elements, but it does need to be sealed and protected from water damage and other hazards. By keeping up with your sealcoating schedule, you can extend the life of your asphalt and keep it in excellent condition for years to come.
The best time to sealcoat your asphalt is in the summer, when temperatures are high and there are more hours of sunlight for drying. However, the surface of your pavement needs to be free of dirt, debris and other contaminants before you can apply a seal coat. If you have trouble getting rid of these contaminants, a power wash may be necessary before the asphalt can be sealed again.
Prevents Cracks
Just like you might pack sunscreen for a sunny island vacation, paving professionals recommend sealcoating asphalt before the first signs of cracking begin. It’s the protective layer that protects your parking lot from water damage, harsh UV rays and other environmental factors that cause damage to asphalt over time.
This process helps extend the life of your asphalt pavement and prevents costly repairs down the line. The first step in this process involves thoroughly evaluating the existing cracks to determine their severity and cause. This evaluation often includes visual inspection of the cracks to assess their depth and width as well as utilizing specialized tools to measure the extent of the cracks. This comprehensive assessment enables the appropriate treatment to be applied, which often involves crack filling or sealcoating.
The primary reason for cracks in asphalt is the oxidation process. This occurs when the sun’s UV rays attack the binder or glue that holds together the asphalt. While sealcoating can’t stop the oxidation completely, it significantly slows it down, which extends your pavement’s lifespan.
Additionally, sealcoating provides a waterproof barrier that keeps water from seeping into the underlying layers of the asphalt and degrading it over time. It also enhances the overall appearance of your parking lot, adding a deep rich black finish that adds curb appeal and increases property value.
However, sealcoating does not address potholes or alligator cracking. These types of cracks require more extensive repair, which is why it’s important to follow the proper maintenance sequence for your asphalt surface.
When choosing a maintenance strategy for your commercial parking lot, it’s important to evaluate the various factors at play to ensure that the selected method aligns with your precise asphalt needs as well as long-term maintenance goals and budget considerations. Ultimately, sealcoating offers the best approach for safeguarding asphalt pavement over time, preventing cracks from expanding into major problems and extending the interval between expensive milling and paving projects.
Saves Money
One of the main reasons property owners choose to invest in pavement sealcoating is because it’s a cost-effective way to save money on asphalt maintenance. Without it, asphalt surfaces will deteriorate quickly and eventually need repair or replacement, which is expensive. On the other hand, investing in a good sealcoat every few years will keep your asphalt looking great and prevent costly repairs in the future.
The cost of a sealcoat will vary depending on the size of your surface and how much it needs to be done. For example, a residential driveway will be cheaper to sealcoat than a commercial parking lot. The amount of cracks and chips also affects the price as larger areas will require more repair materials than smaller ones. However, even if you have a large area to sealcoat, the costs will be lower than replacing your entire asphalt surface.
Another way that sealcoating will save you money is by preventing accidents on your property. Uneven and damaged pavement is dangerous for drivers and pedestrians and can lead to injuries or lawsuits. With a sealcoat applied on a regular basis, you’ll be able to keep your asphalt surface in good condition and avoid accidents that could lead to costly lawsuits and higher insurance premiums for your business.
Finally, the curb appeal of your home or business will be improved with a well-maintained asphalt surface. Cracks, potholes, and other damage detract from the appearance of your property and make it look less appealing to potential buyers or tenants. A fresh sealcoat will fill in these imperfections and give your property a clean, professional appearance that will boost its value and attract more visitors.
If you have any more questions about the benefits of sealcoating, please contact us! We’d love to help you with your next asphalt maintenance project. Just remember that it’s important to fix any cracks or damage before applying sealant to ensure it will last.