The Benefits Of Asphalt Sealcoating
The Benefits Of Asphalt Sealcoating
Whether you’re a homeowner, a property manager, or a business owner who needs to maintain a parking lot, sealcoating your asphalt will offer a number of benefits!
Aesthetics
Asphalt sealcoating gives an asphalt parking lot a fresh, clean appearance that can make it more appealing to both business tenants and customers. When paired with new pavement marking, the look can be even better. Seal coating is a thick liquid formulation of bitumen (or an acrylic) mixed with water, polymer additives and silica sand. It can be sprayed or brushed onto the surface. It protects the pavement from sun damage, which can lead to oxidation and loss of plasticity. The loss of plasticity can accelerate cracking and surface raveling. In addition, seal coating can also help to prevent water penetration into small cracks in the asphalt. This is important because during cold weather, the classic freeze-thaw cycle can cause the water in these cracks to seep through.
Longevity
The longevity of your asphalt depends on a number of factors, including the weather and the type of traffic it receives. If you have a high amount of traffic, then your asphalt needs to be sealcoated more frequently to keep it looking its best. Pavement is made up of a blend of sand and gravel aggregate mixed with a petroleum binder that makes it pliable and flexible. However, as the weather and oxidation attack the asphalt, it begins to deteriorate rapidly. If you have a high level of traffic, then you’ll need to get your pavement resurfaced or sealed every few years to prevent the worst damage. If you’re planning a maintenance budget for your property, be sure to set aside a certain amount of money for this process.
Protection
Regardless of the type of asphalt surface you have, it’s important to protect your investment. This is where sealcoating comes in. It restores a deep black, glossy appearance to asphalt. It replenishes any oils and binder that have broken down or dried up, fills in small gaps in the aggregate for a smoother appearance, and creates a protective barrier against the elements. A well-applied sealcoat also prevents UV rays, water, oil and other oxidizing substances from breaking down the asphalt’s petroleum binder. It’s a necessary part of keeping your parking lot or driveway looking good and lasting long. Another benefit of sealcoating is that it improves traction, especially on a sunny day. When mixed with silica sand, the mixture can help reduce glare and make it safer for drivers to see their surroundings.
Maintenance
One of the benefits of asphalt sealcoating is the maintenance it can provide for your driveway, parking lot or other paved surface. Much like a regularly scheduled oil change, a simple coat of asphalt sealer can extend the life of your pavement. Sealcoating can protect your pavement from water penetration, sun damage and chemicals that can degrade an asphalt surface over time. It can also make a driveway or parking lot more slip-resistant.
Priority Paving
When you are considering sealcoating your driveway or parking lot, be sure to ask a professional for advice. Those who are inexperienced or unscrupulous will likely oversell you on seal coating and may not provide any value at all to your pavement. With that said, if you’re not ever unsure if sealcoating is right for your asphalt, you should ask our professional asphalt contractors here at Priority Paving to help you decide! We can offer guidance on how long you’ll need to wait for your asphalt to cure before sealcoating it, and they can tell you when it’s time to get your sealer reapplied!
Categorised in: Asphalt Sealcoating