While it’s already incredibly durable on its own by design, the lifespan of your asphalt driveway or parking lot can extend even further with a sealcoat. Asphalt sealcoating involves treating the surface with a thin layer of liquid that dries and hardens to form a shield-like barrier to secure and protect the layers beneath.
Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of sealcoating and how this process can refresh, renew, and safeguard your asphalt.
1. Prevents Damage
Just as an overlay of topcoat can protect painted or stained furniture from damage and deterioration, a sealcoat adds a more durable layer of protection for your asphalt. It can prevent excessive deterioration from various environmental factors such as the ones listed below—which can easily deteriorate the look and the integrity of your asphalt surface without a sealcoat layer.
Vehicle Fluids
If your vehicle has ever leaked gasoline, oil, or other fluids onto a driveway or parking lot, you probably know just how unsightly these stains can be. Unfortunately, vehicle fluids left to sit on untreated asphalt can also break down the pavement and weaken the overall structure. A sealcoat layer contains oil- and fluid-resistant ingredients that prevent vehicle fluids from causing damage to the asphalt beneath.
Sun Exposure
Both the heat from the sun and UV radiation can cause further damage and weaken your asphalt by altering the compounds of the outer layers, which results in a weakened surface that can cause cracks, soft spots, and an oxidized, lightened appearance. When you sealcoat your pavement, it acts as a physical sunscreen-like barrier for your asphalt to block all the effects of sun exposure.
Weather
From icy conditions that require salt to rainy downpours that cause pools of water to develop on the surface of your asphalt, many types of weather can jeopardize the durability of your driveway or parking lot. A layer of sealcoat prevents weather-related shrinkage, expansion, cracking, and deterioration and allows any standing water to evaporate before it has the chance to soak into the surface to cause damage.
2. Improves Appearance
There is no doubt that having a sealcoat service done improves the appearance of your asphalt pavement. A well-maintained black parking lot with crisp, bright stripes gives a strong first impression to your customers. It portrays an image that you care about your business, which in turn, shows that you care about your customers.
3. Provides Safety
While looks are important, maintaining investment in your asphalt pavement is crucial. Adding a layer of sealcoat is important when it comes to locking in the fine materials and aggregates that make up your asphalt. This prevents the pavement from cracking, which reduces the risk of costly repairs. Maintaining the integrity of your asphalt also helps prevent potholes, which can be a hazard to customers and vehicles driving by.
4. Prolongs Your Investment
Asphalt, like any other area of your property, requires regular maintenance and repairs to ensure it remains as safe, intact, and strong as can be for as long as possible. Unsealed asphalt surfaces are vulnerable to damage that can prompt expensive repairs or even complete replacements. A layer of sealcoat extends the lifespan of your asphalt, which can save you significant time and money in the long run.
Regularly investing in a sealcoat service is one of the smartest things you can do to preserve the asphalt on your property. Whether you need to touch up an existing coat or need to apply your first layer, our experts at Hasco have your back. Call for a free, no-obligation quote for asphalt sealcoat services today. We look forward to helping you.