Sealcoating is a critical step in maintaining asphalt surfaces. It helps protect the surface from oxidation and chemicals, slowing down its degradation. It also gives faded asphalt a new look, and fills in small cracks.
Before the project begins, workers must clean the pavement to remove dirt, debris and grease. The area must be completely dry before workers apply the sealer. For professional help, contact Rochester NY Sealcoating.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to protect your own driveway or a professional contractor responsible for the maintenance of large asphalt surfaces, seal coating provides a critical layer of defense against damage and deterioration. It extends the lifespan of asphalt and helps prevent major issues from forming in the first place, saving you money down the line.
Essentially, the seal coat blocks out harmful elements that destroy the petroleum binder in asphalt. Over time, water, sun’s UV rays, salts and motor oil oxidize the asphalt, leaving it weak and vulnerable to cracking. When asphalt deteriorates, it can eventually turn into potholes, which are costly and unsightly to repair. Fortunately, a regular schedule of sealcoating can protect asphalt and keep it looking new for years to come.
Before workers apply the seal coat, they’ll thoroughly clean the surface. This involves a detailed examination, similar to a sleuth’s scrutiny, searching for crevices or holes that could undermine the adhesion of the new coat. Once everything is prepared, workers can get to work spreading the liquid asphalt mixture over the pavement. As the mixture dries, it fills in cracks and small holes to create a new, smooth and even surface.
The seal coat also resists oil spills and leaks, which can be devastating to asphalt. Since the asphalt is petroleum-based, oil and gas spills easily bond with it, leaving nothing to hold the pavement together. Resisting these leaks and spills is the primary reason to have a professional seal coat applied.
Aside from the practical benefits of protecting the integrity of asphalt, the new black look of your parking lot adds to the curb appeal of your property. The uniform, rich black appearance looks newer and better maintained, which can be a great selling point for your business.
If you’re a property owner or manager, you should make it a priority to have your asphalt seal coated regularly. Contact a local asphalt contractor to see what they can do for you!
Prevents Oil Spills
Asphalt pavement is petroleum-based, so any leaks of oil or chemical substances will essentially “join” with the asphalt binder and soften it, causing further damage to the surface. Sealcoating creates a barrier that prevents the penetration of these harmful fluids, prolonging the life of the asphalt and saving business owners money on costly repairs.
A well-maintained parking lot is one of the first things customers notice about a business, so keeping up with oil spot treatment can have a positive impact on their overall impression of your establishment. In addition, oil stains left untreated can erode and damage the asphalt surface and become a liability for the property owner.
When an oil spill occurs on unsealed pavement, the stains can be difficult to clean and may require scrubbing, which is physically demanding and often requires expensive chemical products. On the other hand, a properly maintained parking lot with a fresh coat of sealcoat provides an impermeable barrier that makes it much easier to clean up these stains and is also resistant to chemical penetration.
The coal tars used to make sealcoat provide excellent resistance against gasoline, diesel fuel, oils, solvents, and chemicals that would otherwise seep into the asphalt and cause long-term damage. Sealcoat can be easily cleaned with a broom, hose, or pressure washer without damaging the coating, allowing you to keep your parking lot looking great while still protecting the asphalt underneath.
Sealcoating also fills in hairline cracks, an early sign of asphalt deterioration, preventing water from getting into the asphalt pores and further damaging it. Compared to other maintenance options like cracksealing and full removal and replacement, sealcoating is the least expensive way to extend the lifespan of your asphalt and save you money on costly repairs in the future. With the right preparation, application techniques, and periodic inspections, sealcoating is a great option for businesses to help them get the most out of their investment in asphalt pavement. Whether your business is a warehouse, retail space, or office park, it is crucial to protect the asphalt and make sure that it lasts.
Prevents Cracking
Asphalt is a mix of sand and gravel aggregate with a petroleum-based binder that makes it flexible and pliable. When motor oil leaks onto pavement, it causes the binding agent to oxidize and dry out. This robs the asphalt of its flexibility and causes it to crumble under pressure from vehicles and weather changes. Sealcoating blocks these damaging oxidizing substances and restores the pliant quality of the asphalt, greatly prolonging its lifespan and protecting the surface from deterioration.
When cracks are not filled or sealcoated, water will seep through the asphalt and deteriorate it from below. This is a major cause of potholes and alligator cracking that can be extremely costly to repair. Sealcoating and crack filling create a barrier that prevents water from penetrating the underlying layers, significantly prolonging the life of your parking lot or driveway.
Sealcoating is most effective when it is applied to a well-maintained asphalt surface, typically after an extensive clean up that includes power washing and/or sandblasting. The surface should be free of loose particles, oil stains and other contaminants that can interfere with the bonding process.
For the best results, pavement should be sealed from spring through fall. The application process should take place when the air and pavement temperatures are 50 degrees or higher, with no rain or humidity in the forecast within 24 hours of the application.
After the pavement has been sealcoated, it must be allowed to cure for two days before traffic can return to the area. The curing process is accelerated by hot, sunny summer weather and the sweeping of the surface to eliminate any excess sealant or loose debris.
Walsh Sealcoating and Paving offers a wide range of professional maintenance services for commercial and residential asphalt surfaces including pavement cleaning, power washing, sandblasting, striping, repair, crack sealing and sealcoating. Our specialized services can greatly extend the lifespan of your asphalt and save you the expense and hassle of in-depth renovations or replacements. We are a full-service asphalt company and can manage your entire project from start to finish. Contact us for a quote today.
Adds Aesthetics
Sealcoating is not just an efficient way to maintain asphalt pavement, but it also adds value to a property. A newly-sealed driveway or parking lot looks sleek and new, giving a great first impression to guests or customers. Moreover, residential homeowners can add a new aesthetic to their home with a fresh coat of black sealant. This process will protect their pavement from the elements and restore its natural beauty, adding value to the home and increasing its resale potential.
A fresh sealcoat will fill in cracks and prevent voids, making the pavement look much newer. Furthermore, a smooth surface is easier to maintain throughout the year. Snow, ice, leaves, and debris will slide off a smooth surface more easily than it would on one with bumps or dips.
Over time, untreated asphalt pavements tend to lose their plasticity and oxidize. This degradation is accelerated by water infiltration, UV radiation from the sun, and the constant pressure of vehicular traffic. The protective barrier provided by sealcoat stops the damage from progressing further and saves you the hassle of costly repair services in the future.
Refined coal tar, a byproduct of the distillation of bituminous coal, is a key ingredient in sealcoats. While the material is considered non-toxic, health and safety should be top priority when working with it. For this reason, all workers should wear the proper gear and use specialized equipment when applying asphalt sealcoats. Moreover, the application should be done in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling coal tar vapors.
Commercial asphalt requires a substantial investment to install and maintain. Fortunately, HOA community managers can extend the lifespan of their parking lots and driveways by having them sealed regularly. A sealcoat will help prevent major damages caused by harsh weather conditions, continuous vehicular traffic, and chemical spills. The protective layer it provides will fill in surface damage and protect the asphalt from further deterioration. It will also improve the curb appeal of the property, making it more appealing to potential clients or customers. The best part is that all of this is possible at an affordable price!