(Newswire.net— December 14, 2021) — A sealcoat is a protective layer that allows your asphalt to last for many years. Sealcoating is a must-have procedure for all driveways and parking lots paved with asphalt. Whether your driveway is freshly paved or needs an upgrade, a sealcoat is the way to go.
When properly sealed, an asphalt surface can last for decades. However, sealing it just once won’t do the trick. It’s imperative to reseal your asphalt driveway or parking lot regularly. Otherwise, the sealcoat’s protective properties fade over time, leaving your asphalt pavement exposed.
How Often Should a Sealcoat Be Applied?
You should apply a sealcoat right after paving your asphalt. Most likely, the company that provides paving services can also seal the asphalt. The longer you wait between paving the surface and sealcoating it, the more likely your asphalt pavement is to sustain damage.
According to sealcoating contractors at ABC Paving, the frequency of resealing depends on several factors, including the heaviness of traffic. If you have a driveway that usually handles one or two cars, you can consider resealing it once every two to three years.
For parking lots that endure heavy traffic, you may want to reseal the surface once a year. A company that paves and seals your asphalt can make recommendations about resealing practices.
Another factor that could affect the resealing frequency is the climate you live in. If your asphalt pavement experience severe temperature fluctuations, you may want to reseal it more often. If your pavement sustains serious damage, seal it after repairing it.
What Are the Benefits of Regular Asphalt Sealcoating?
Regular asphalt sealcoating is the key to a worry-free durable pavement. Here are the main benefits of sealing your asphalt on time.
- Appearance – the rich black color that fresh asphalt has is highly appealing. However, it fades with time, turning into a pale grey surface. If you want to bring the initial color glory back to your driveway, apply a sealcoat. Sealcoat material can make your pavement black and shiny again.
- Resistance – if you live in a hot or cold climate, you know what the weather can do to your asphalt pavement. The surface cracks, the water seeps in and freezes underneath. This leads to pothole formation. Meanwhile, strong UV rays damage the binder and cause the pavement to fall apart. When you seal the asphalt, you give it resistance against weather elements.
- Protection – oil spills, chemical drips, and other toxic elements could damage your asphalt. A sealcoat is a protective layer that keeps all these problems away. By sealcoating, you are allowing your asphalt to stay fresh and strong.
The key benefit of regular asphalt sealcoating is the cost. The average price tag for a paved asphalt driveway is around $5,000. Meanwhile, sealcoating only costs around $300.
It’s much more expensive to pave a surface with new asphalt than to sealcoat it. If annual sealcoating can help your driveway remain intact for 20 to 30 years, it’s worth every penny.
Does Your Sealcoat Require Maintenance?
Many property owners make the mistake of thinking that once they sealcoat the pavement, it doesn’t require maintenance. In reality, you still have to take good care of your driveway or parking lot. Otherwise, it will give out much earlier than you prefer.
- Taking care of a sealcoated asphalt pavement is easy. Here are a few simple tips:
- Clean the surface weekly to remove any dirt and debris. If it’s snowing, make sure to remove snow timely.
- Inspect the surface while you are cleaning it. If you notice any cracks or other damage, repair it as soon as possible.
- Don’t try to fix asphalt damage on your own. You could make it worse. Hire an experienced asphalt repair technician to do it.
- When shoveling snow, be careful not to damage the pavement. Go lightly.
- Pay special attention to dry leaves. They tend to be an excellent place for the water to gather.
While sealcoating improves the integrity of your asphalt, it doesn’t make the pavement invincible. You still need to take good care of your driveway. This involves, cleaning, inspecting, repairing, and resealing it regularly.