Sealcoating is a preventive maintenance practice that helps to protect asphalt paved surfaces from damages from external elements. However, it’s important to note that sealcoating is not the solution for any existing damages like potholes, cracks, or dips.
Typically, sealcoating involves applying a thin coat of the asphalt-based mixture to an asphalt surface. To get optimum results, it’s advisable to allow your asphalt sealer to cure for at least 24 hours before you start using it again. Because of this, you should consider sealcoating your driveway when you don’t plan to use it—like over the weekend.
The ideal weather conditions for a successful sealcoating project should be clear and sunny, with overage temperatures ranging between 10 – 15 degrees C. With that said, the ideal time for a sealcoating project is just before the winter season. Also, you can schedule your sealcoating project early in the spring season, since the temperatures are mild.
Why should you sealcoat your driveway?
While it’s not a must to sealcoat your asphalt paved driveway, sealcoating the driveway ensures that it lasts longer. Since the sealant acts as a protective layer, it prevents damage from precipitation, UV rays, and motor vehicle oil. Besides, sealcoating ensures that your driveway retains its rich black color, thus improving the curb appeal of your property.
Please note that sealcoating is done to protect an asphalt surface. Therefore, you cannot sealcoat over potholes or cracks. So, in case your asphalt paved surface has potholes or cracks, make sure they are prepared before sealcoating the surface. Typically, you should sealcoat your surface once every 3 years, or as required. With that said, let’s look at a few reasons why you should sealcoat your driveway.
To slow oxidation
The Jacksonville experts from CSG Sealcoating agree that UV rays are the greatest enemy of asphalt pavements. Now, when regularly exposed to UV rays, the asphalt binder, which is the glue that holds the stone and sand in place, deteriorates quickly. As the oxidation process progresses, the asphalt starts to lose oil, and this makes it harder. The asphalt continues to dry out when exposed to heavy traffic.
This leads to crack formation, which needs immediate attention. Failing to repair the cracks allows water to penetrate to the foundation of your asphalt pavement, causing more damage. This can lead to alligator cracks of potholes, which will cost you more money to repair. However, sealcoating your asphalt pavement as recommended slows down the oxidation process, since the sealant acts as extra protection against the harmful UV rays.
Sealcoating improves the curb appearance of your property
If your pavement looks frayed or faded, your property will lose its curb appeal. This can even affect the value of your property if you want to sell it. If you own a property that has lots of holes and cracks on the pavement, don’t expect anyone to consider buying the property.
Keeping your asphalt pavement looks like a simple task, but it will attract serious buyers. With that, you need to understand that first impressions matter when it comes to property management. So, improving the curb appeal of your property will help you attract and retain tenants. With that said, sealcoating is one of the best ways to keep your property beautiful.
To protect your pavement again gas and oil stains
If you park your car on your pavement every day, gas and oil leaks are unavoidable. Now, allowing these leaks to the full set on your pavement will make it hard for you to clean them. Apart from them being unattractive, the chemical compounds in gas and oil can start to corrode your pavement—they start by penetrating the surface, and ultimately reach the foundation of your asphalt pavement.
When this happens, it can lead to a bigger problem since it can start to compromise the structural integrity of your pavement. The result of this is possible cracks or potholes, which are very costly to repair. However, sealcoating your asphalt pavement protects it from gas and oil stains, meaning your pavement will retain its structural integrity for a longer period.
To prevent your pavement from fading
Constant exposure to direct sunlight, stagnant or pooling water, and other extreme weather conditions can make your asphalt pavement fade. And, while fading doesn’t mean that your pavement is damaged, it’s a sign of possible damages in the future. Besides, faded pavement can seriously degrade the value of your home, since it will make it look neglected or old. But, sealcoating your asphalt pavement protects it from extreme weather conditions, which can make it fade and lose its rich, black color.
To protect your pavement from water damage
Sealcoating your asphalt pavement protects it from water damage—and this the primary reason why sealcoating is such an essential task. Since sealcoating prevents your asphalt from cracking, it means water cannot penetrate the base layer whenever it rains. Also, the frequent freeze and thaw cycles experienced during the winter season can make water seep into these cracks, thus causing more damage to your pavement.
Repairing such damages can be more costly than scheduling a simple sealcoating project. However, sealcoating your asphalt pavement can give you the peace of mind you need since you are guaranteed to have an extra layer of protection whenever your pavement comes into contact with your pavement.
Bottom Line
Sealcoating is an essential part of asphalt pavement maintenance. Applying an even layer of high-quality sealant can give your pavement the protection it needs to last longer. Besides, sealcoating your pavement will reduce the chances of potholes or cracking forming on your pavement. So, if you are wondering whether your pavement needs sealcoating, it’s a good option that’s worth your consideration.
It’s good to know that sealcoating can help keep my driveway’s dark color intact. Right now, it perfectly matches our homes’ facade as we went for a darker-looking modern home making use of blacks and dark shades of wood. I’m worried that the constant exposure to the elements could fade the asphalt’s dark color like you mentioned and ruin the overall aesthetic. It seems the best way to prevent that is to use sealcoating, I’ll have to look for some services nearby that can do that on my behalf.