Why Seal Coat Your Asphalt ?
Sealcoating your asphalt is important for several reasons.
Seal coating pavement will prolong its life. Why? There are a number of reasons. To understand them, it is important to realize that asphalt is a combination of sand, stones and liquid asphalt cement.
Sun, Salt & Water Exposure. Through time the sun, salt and water exposure will cause the cement to evaporate. This will cause the asphalt to turn gray in color. This gray color indicates pavement that has too much sand and stone compared to the amount of asphalt cement. It has usually started to harden at this point can become brittle. If left untreated, issues like frost (not typically a problem here in South Florida) or excessive heat (causing the pavement to swell and contract when it cools) will cause movement in the base, eventually causing cracking. Properly applied seal coating will minimize, if not completely eliminate, the damage done by sun, salt & water.
Sealcoating prevents oxidation. Exposure to the environment causes a natural oxidation and drying of asphalt. This is a good thing during the first 6-12 months because it makes the asphalt become more firm. After the first year, the oxidation starts to harden the pavement. This leads to a loss of flexibility (hardening) results in a brittle surface that eventually cracks. Cracks in the pavement enable oxygen and rainwater to penetrate the pavement, often into the subbase, weakening it and reducing the pavement's strength. Sealcoating protects the surface and fills surface voids, reducing pavement's exposure to oxygen and water and extending pavement life.
Sealcoating resists ultraviolet rays. By breaking down the links between the carbon bonds in the asphalt, ultraviolet rays cause pavement to deteriorate and crumble. Regularly applied sealcoat helps to prevent ultraviolet rays from penetrating the pavement.
Sealcoating resists oil and gas spills. This is especially important on driveways where cars are parked or worked on. Oil and gasoline soften asphalt. Our professional-grade sealer contains additives that enable it to resist any such leaks. By filling surface voids, sealcoating also reduces the depth to which oil or gas can penetrate the pavement.
Sealcoating and asphalt cracking. Hardened or brittle asphalt eventually cracks. Cracks in the pavement enable oxygen and rainwater to penetrate the pavement, often into the subbase, weakening it and reducing the pavement's strength. Sealcoating protects the surface and fills surface voids, reducing pavement's exposure to oxygen and water and extending pavement life.
Sealcoating enhances pavement appearance and eases maintenance. Sealcoating brings back the dark black color of the original pavement, making it look and wear like new. Sealcoated pavement is also easier to clean and maintain. Because sealcoat fills surface voids, a sealcoated surface is much smoother. And a smoother surface is easier to sweep, wash and maintain.
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