Asphalt sealcoating protects and extends the life of your asphalt. Sealing your driveway or parking lot also enhances its visual appearance, increasing the value of your property. While sealcoating cannot stop the effects of aging, it slows them down significantly. It is much more economical to seal your pavement regularly than to undertake extensive, costly repairs later on or to completely replace it down the road.
What causes damage to asphalt, and how does sealcoating help?
Sunlight and oxidation are natural enemies of asphalt. Asphalt pavement begins to deteriorate almost as soon as it’s installed. As the pavement is exposed to oxygen, the asphalt binder (tar) hardens, and this hardening results in a brittle surface that eventually cracks. Cracks in the pavement allow oxygen and rainwater to penetrate its surface, often getting into the sub-base, weakening it and reducing the pavement’s strength. Sealcoating protects the surface and fills surface voids, reducing the pavement’s exposure to oxygen and water, and extending pavement life.
Water and ice are also enemies of asphalt. When water penetrates asphalt, it softens the base, which causes sinkholes, depressions and cracks that require expensive repairs. In cold climates, the water freezes and expands to create potholes and cracks throughout the asphalt. Sealcoating resists water and ice by providing a protective shell that prevents water from penetrating through the asphalt. By preventing water damage, sealcoating can save you a significant amount of money that you would otherwise spend on repairs.
Oil and gasoline spills soften and break down asphalt. These spills generally occur when a vehicle that leaks gas or oil is parked regularly on the driveway. A professional-grade sealer contains additives that enable the sealer to resist such leaks. By filling surface voids, sealcoating also reduces the depth to which oil or gas can penetrate the pavement.