What Is Asphalt Sealcoating?
Quick answer: Asphalt sealcoating is a thin protective coating applied over asphalt pavement. It shields the binder that holds the stone together from sun, rain and chemicals, which slows fading and cracking. It goes down in dry weather at 50 degrees or warmer and should be renewed every 2 to 3 years.
What is asphalt sealcoating? To answer that, start with asphalt itself, which in simple terms is rock and gravel held together with a binder. The aggregate or the stone is usually held together with asphalt cement or binder. This binder is made from the distillation process of some crude oil. Maintaining the state of this binder is essential for slowing the deterioration of your asphalt surfaces. U.v, rain, and chemicals when they are introduced in the asphalt force the binder to degrade and start the process of degradation, it thus becomes very crucial to have a maintainable program that uses sealcoating to extend the life span of your driveway or parking.
Asphalt Sealcoating Info
Sealcoating provides an additional layer that offers protection by blocking out elements such as oils, water, and u.v damage. To add to this, when the sealcoat is applied according to the manufacturers’ guidelines, sealcoating offers a slip-resistant finish or surface with a beautiful black finish for your driveway or parking. Sealcoats are bituminous products or acrylics. Sealcoat comes in the emulsion of one of the above emulsions, mixed with silica sand, water, polymer, and other proprietary solids and fillers.
Sealcoats can be applied in several ways; some of the ways include brush, spray, or squeegee. One should ensure he or he does sealcoating on a regular basis to increase the life of your asphalt. This will save you money that you would use to repair your driveway or parking. Instead of spending a lot of money have new pavement in place, a sealcoating can protect you from all these stresses. It becomes even more effective to use a few pennies to do repairs than to have new pavement.
Steps to follow
The following are the steps you have to follow when applying sealcoating products to get the best out of it. You should apply a minimum of 2 coats
Step 1
Make sure the temperatures are 50 degrees minimum and rising for not less than twenty-four hours. One should not apply sealcoating when the temperatures are predicted to be below 50 degrees. It would help if you did not use it when rain is forecasted to rain within the same 24 hours you want to use your sealcoating.
Step 2
Immediately you are done with applying the sealcoat; you should give it a minimum of 24 hours for it to cure before you allow vehicles back on the surface.
When to Sealcoat?
To get the best of sealcoating, you are supposed to do it every 2 to 3 years to extend the life of the asphalt pavement. This is important as it goes down the line to reduce the high cost you would otherwise incur to replace the whole pavement. When sealcoating is applied in a proper manner and at the right time, it prevents oxidation. Sealcoating prevents water damage and makes sure your pavement remains beautiful all the time. Blacktop sealcoating makes sure the surface of your driveway is firm as much as possible.
Sealcoating is essential to your driveway and parking, do it regularly to maintain the quality of your pavement.
