Asphalt pavement is primarily rock and gravel aggregate held together by a binder. Chemicals like gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze and de-icing agents, in addition to rain and UV rays, slowly degrade asphalt by oxidizing the binder.
Rochester NY Sealcoating prevents this degradation and helps the pavement last longer. It also enhances the aesthetic by hiding cracks and blemishes, making the asphalt look newer and more attractive.
Asphalt is a common material in our modern world and is used in countless ways. Whether it’s your driveway, parking lot or road, asphalt pavement is subjected to constant abuse and wear and tear from the elements, traffic and vehicles. One of the most effective ways to protect your paved surface is by seal coating it. While this won’t repair any cracks or potholes that have already formed, it will prevent future damage and prolong the life of your pavement.
Seal coating is the process of adding a layer of coal-tar or asphalt emulsions over your asphalt surface. The asphalt binders and oils in the sealant form a protective barrier that keeps out water, sun, oil and other oxidizing substances. The seal coat also replenishes degraded asphalt binder and helps to maintain your paved surface.
The primary reason for applying a sealcoat is to protect your asphalt from damage. If you don’t regularly apply a sealcoat, your paved surface will quickly begin to degrade. Rain, UV rays and chemical substances like gasoline, motor oil, salt and de-icing chemicals all contribute to the degradation of your pavement. By sealing your asphalt, you protect it from these damaging substances and extend its lifespan.
Regularly applying a sealcoat will also help to prevent costly repairs down the road. Pavement that is not properly maintained can become brittle due to oxidation and lose its natural flexibility. This brittleness causes the pavement to crack and crumble under pressure from heavy vehicles. By sealing your pavement, you preserve it and allow it to flex under pressure without cracking or breaking.
In addition, a sealcoat will give your paved surface a clean, new appearance. Over time, the sunlight can wash away the black asphalt color and leave it looking dull and washed out. Sealcoating restores the black, glossy finish of your pavement and gives it a new, fresh look. Before starting the process of applying a sealcoat, workers will first clear the area of any debris and dirt. Then, they will flash heat any petroleum stains on the surface to remove them and create a smoother, purer surface for the new sealcoat to bond with.
Prevents Oil and Fuel Spills
The primary function of sealcoating is to serve as a protective barrier, and this includes protecting asphalt surfaces from oil and chemical spills. When these substances seep into unprotected pavement they can cause damage by penetrating the surface and degrading the underlying materials. This type of damage can be expensive to repair and may require removal and replacement of the affected area. Sealcoating protects against these substances by preventing them from penetrating the asphalt, which makes cleanup significantly easier and less costly.
The best way to deal with oil and chemical spills on asphalt is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. When petroleum products such as gasoline, grease and diesel are pumped near an unsealed surface they can leak into the asphalt, causing severe damage. This is because petroleum products are made from similar substances and they easily dissolve the asphalt binder. By sealing the pavement, you can prevent these chemicals from coming into contact with the underlying material and damaging it.
Sealcoating also provides a protective layer that protects the asphalt from the high-volume water pressure and detergents used to wash vehicles and equipment. This helps to keep the pavement looking new and attractive and minimizes damage caused by the washing process.
Oil stains are a common problem on asphalt pavement, and they can be very difficult to remove from the surface. However, the oil stains are only on the surface of the pavement, and they will wash away in the rain when it is properly sealed. Sealcoating keeps the oil stains from staining the asphalt, so you can spend less time and money cleaning them up and more time enjoying your beautiful driveway or parking lot.
In addition to preventing oil and fuel spills, the protective layer provided by sealcoating can help to prevent snow and salt damage. The salt that is used to melt ice on roads and sidewalks can destroy the asphalt by eating it away. By applying a thick layer of sealcoat, you can protect your asphalt from the damaging effects of salt and other winter weather conditions.
Prevents Cracking
Asphalt cracking is the most common source of pavement damage and, with regular sealcoating and proper maintenance, it can be prevented. Sealcoating creates a protective layer over the asphalt surface, protecting it from water penetration and chemical oxidation. It also helps prevent the damaging effects of sun exposure. By reducing the amount of time your asphalt is exposed to weather elements, sealcoating extends the life of the surface and reduces the frequency and cost of repairs.
Sealcoating is most effective when performed on a regular basis to protect the integrity of your parking lot. Generally, it is best to apply a sealcoat every two to three years. However, if you have recently experienced a lot of vehicular traffic or oil spills on the surface, you may want to consider applying a sealcoat sooner than that.
The key to a successful sealcoating is the preparation and application of coal tar-based pavement sealer in optimal conditions. This includes ensuring the asphalt surface is free of dirt, debris and moisture. This step is essential, as the sealant needs to adhere to the asphalt for it to be effective.
Another important consideration is the climate conditions. The temperature should be between 59 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity level should be relatively low. If rain is expected within 24 hours following the application, workers should postpone the project until it can dry properly.
In addition to preventing future cracking, sealcoating provides an attractive and well-maintained appearance to your parking lot. Its smooth, dark appearance enhances curb appeal and reflects the professionalism of your business. Furthermore, smooth pavement is easier to clean, which can save you money on labor costs and help you comply with local environmental regulations.
Evaluating the Existing Pavement Damage
When evaluating whether to invest in sealcoating or crack sealing, property owners must look at their overall maintenance goals. While sealcoating is a more comprehensive preventative treatment, crack sealing is an excellent treatment for addressing specific vulnerabilities that can dramatically shorten the lifespan of your asphalt. By implementing both treatments as part of a proactive maintenance strategy, you can ensure that your parking lot is protected for decades.
Saves Money
Sealcoating is an inexpensive maintenance procedure that protects the value of asphalt, extending its life and saving money in repairs. While it may seem like a waste of time and money to have your asphalt parking lot or driveway sealed when you already have cracks, potholes, or other damage, these repairs are much more costly in the long run than paying for sealcoating.
A smooth, black surface of sealcoating helps your parking lot or driveway maintain a consistent appearance and reduces signs of wear. This sends the message to your customers or tenants that you care about the appearance of your property and are committed to its maintenance. This also helps retain tenants, as well as attracting new ones.
When untreated asphalt starts to deteriorate, moisture enters tiny cracks and erodes the base underneath. The repeated freezing and thawing of water causes further damage, which is why it is so important to have your pavement sealed as soon as possible when it shows signs of wear.
The smooth surface of a sealcoated asphalt pavement makes snow removal easier and quicker in the winter, as well as keeping dirt from building up throughout the year. Pavement that is properly maintained is safer for pedestrians and vehicles, which lowers liability risks for business owners.
Although some people try to DIY sealcoating, this is usually a bad idea. It takes special equipment and supplies to get the job done correctly. You may save some money by doing it yourself, but you will likely spend more in materials and have to redo the work due to mistakes that are bound to happen.
In addition, seal coating is best performed by professional contractors who use high-quality materials. It is also important to know that sealcoating is only effective on a clean, stable pavement surface. If your pavement is damaged, it will look better for a short period of time, but the damage will continue to deteriorate and require further repair. A professional contractor can assess your parking lot or driveway to determine whether it is ready for sealcoating. If it is not, they will recommend other maintenance procedures to prepare the pavement for sealing.