Key Takeaways:
- Seal coating contains various benefits for your asphalt pavement, including protecting it from the damaging effects of outdoor elements.
- UV rays and heat can wear down asphalt, making it vulnerable to cracking and other damage.
- Water damage can be prevented through seal coating and other potential problems caused by rain, snow, and ice.
- To keep your asphalt in top condition, it is essential to invest in regular seal coating services from a qualified contractor.
Asphalt pavement is constantly exposed to the elements. Seal coating, is a crucial step in protecting your asphalt from wear and tear. Since its inception, the method of asphalt seal coating has changed the way we preserve and care for our asphalt pavements. You can keep your asphalt looking vibrant and durable for years.
Brothers Paving & Concrete brings you this guide, where we discuss some top asphalt seal coating benefits and some common issues your pavement will likely face.
Benefits of Seal coating
1. Prevents Damage from UV Rays
One of the primary benefits of seal coating is that it prevents damage from UV rays. These harmful rays interact with the top layer of asphalt, making it deprived of the requisite oils and mulch that protect it. UV rays can cause various problems for asphalt, including cracking, fading, and chalking. Seal coating prevents this damage and allows moisture to penetrate the asphalt, keeping it hydrated.
2. Reduces Pavement Deterioration
Not only does seal coating make your asphalt pavement look great and protect it against deterioration. Asphalt is made of petroleum and, without proper protection, will break down over time due to exposure to the elements. Seal coating lays a barrier between your asphalt and water damage, oil spills, and other chemicals that cause wear and tear.
3. Increases Pavement Life
Because asphalt seal coating helps to reduce pavement deterioration, it also helps to increase pavement life. A well-sealed asphalt parking lot or driveway can last up to twice as long as one that is not seal-coated. As a property owner, you can save time and money by investing in asphalt seal coating, and the result will be totally worth it.
4. Enhances Pavement Appearance
In addition to preventing damage, seal coating gives asphalt pavement a sleek black finish that hides stains and other blemishes. Although seal coat does not mask crack seal, it does present a more polished and professional appearance, and is the perfect way to keep your asphalt pavement looking great.
5. Improves Pavement Safety
Not everything about asphalt seal coating has to do with appearances, as it also provides several practical benefits. For example, seal coating can improve pavement safety by helping to prevent slipping in wet weather or causing skidding on ice. It also improves visibility for cars and pedestrians, making your asphalt pavement much easier to navigate.
6. Reduces Maintenance Costs
Another benefit of seal coating is that it reduces maintenance costs. Because asphalt seal coating protects asphalt from damage, property managers will not have to repair or replace damaged asphalt as often. With the help of a trusted paving contractor, you can even have a seal coating application applied directly over your existing asphalt, extending the life of your pavement for years to come.
Now your savings will really start to add up!
Some Problems Your Asphalt Pavement Faces
1. Sunlight
One of the most damaging elements of asphalt is sunlight. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause the asphalt to become brittle and dry out, leading to cracking and potholes. Seal coating provides a barrier against the sun’s UV rays, helping to keep your asphalt in good condition for much longer.
2. Water
When water seeps into cracks in the asphalt, it can cause the cracks to widen and deepen, eventually leading to potholes. But fret not – seal coating can help prevent this by adding a moisture layer and preventing water from getting in. Proper seal coating will protect your asphalt against even the most severe weather conditions. It will stay in good shape for years to come.
3. Snow and Ice
To make it simple, you must ask yourself what snow is made of. Snow is made of water, and applying a seal coat to your asphalt will act as a barrier from snow. Even if the snow were to stay on top of the seal-coated asphalt for extended periods, it would not stick to the surface. Instead, it would simply melt away in the sunlight and rinse off.
4. Oil and Gasoline
The pesky oil stains on asphalt pavement are a nuisance to every homeowner. They make your roadways and parking lots look unkempt and dirty and can be difficult to remove. However, with a seal coat on your asphalt, oil stains simply wash away in the rain. This is because the seal coat contains a resistant substance that prevents oil and gasoline from penetrating the asphalt surface, leaving it to look clean and polished.
5. Salt
Although salt is commonly used to de-ice roads in the winter, it can cause asphalt damage by eating away at it. With asphalt seal coating, you steal the power of salt and prevent it from destroying your pavement. By sealing in the asphalt, salt can no longer penetrate and cause damage.
6. Chemicals
By creating a barrier between the asphalt and chemicals, seal coating keeps damage at bay, such as discoloration or breakdown that things like herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides can cause. Since bitumen in the asphalt is volatile to these chemicals, seal coating is the key to keeping your pavement strong and looking great.
7. Heat
Excessive heat is an enemy of your beloved pavement. It is one of the reasons why asphalt eventually succumbs to cracking and fading. Seal coating protects your pavement from the damaging effects of high temperatures by providing a barrier between it and the sun’s rays.
Ending Note:
Where it may be a bit more costly upfront, a seal coat can help to protect your asphalt from the effects of harsh weather, chemicals, and heat. With regular seal coating, your asphalt pavement can last for years, keeping it looking beautiful and pristine while protecting its structural integrity. So why wait? Contact a reputable seal coating contractor today.
Seal coating contractor in Manassas, VA!
Get the best seal coating services in Manassas, VA, from Brothers Paving & Concrete. We provide excellent and unmatched asphalt seal coating services that help to protect your asphalt from the effects of the sun, chemicals, and heat. Our professionals work round the clock to ensure that your pavement receives only the best protection and maintenance.
