Today, it’s no surprise that most property owners understand the importance of sealcoating their asphalt driveways and parking lots. Most of the parking lots and driveways are made of asphalt—which is stone or rock held together by a binding agent, which is asphalt in this case, which is a by-product of crude oil distillation.

Now, keeping an asphalt pavement in good condition is important for maintaining the quality as well as the structural integrity of the surface. Certain factors like chemicals, rain, ice, and UV rays can damage an asphalt pavement, causing the entire structure to become brittle.

So, to reduce the damaging effects of these elements, it’s important to sealcoat asphalt paved surfaces regularly. Sealcoating an asphalt paved surface comes with numerous benefits, which we shall discuss below. Let’s delve in!

Sealcoating protects asphalt from water damage

One of the main reasons why most people sealcoat their asphalt pavements is to protect them against water damage. If an asphalt surface has cracks, water can easily seep into the base layer when it rains. This can also happen during the frequent freeze and thaw cycles experienced during the winter season, where cold air makes the cracks freeze and expand. Now, the water will melt during the day and freeze again at night.

What makes this freeze and thaw cycle dangerous for asphalt pavements is because it does not only make the cracks larger, it can also lead to extensive damage, which is very costly to repair. Thus, sealcoating your asphalt pavement gives you the assurance that you have an extra layer of protection to protect the pavement during the rainy or winter seasons.

Protects your pavement from spills

Typically, roadways, driveways, and parking lots are high-traffic areas. This makes these asphalt paved surfaces vulnerable to certain spills, especially if the spills have a chemical base. While they might look harmless, gas, oil, and grease, among other liquids can eat away your asphalt pavement over time if they are not cleaned immediately. Besides, they can cause unsightly stains on our pavement. However, sealcoating your asphalt pavement prevents these spills from damaging your asphalt pavement. Also, it becomes easier to clean these stains on your asphalt pavement.

Improves the curb appeal of your property

The deep, dark color of a freshly sealed asphalt pavement gives it a rich black and clean appearance, which greatly improves the curb appearance of your property. Typically, asphalt sealcoating has an attractive aesthetic appeal, which instantly elevates the appearance of your property or home once applied. Therefore, if you want to give your property the appearance of freshly laid asphalt, then why not sealcoat it?

Extends the lifespan of your pavement

If you have asphalt pavement on your property, one of your top priorities should be to extend its lifespan. And, sealcoating your pavement can help you achieve that. By sealcoating your property, you will give your driveway the care and protection it requires to last long.

Besides, sealcoating your asphalt pavement reduces the costly repair bills you’d incur if you have to replace or resurface the entire pavement. This makes sealcoating one of the best options to consider for anyone who wants to lengthen the lifespan of their asphalt pavement.

Sealcoating makes it easier to clean and maintain asphalt pavements

Unlike unsealed asphalt pavements, sealed surfaces are easier to clean and maintain. With sealcoating, sweeping, or pressure washing your asphalt pavement becomes easier and effective. Besides, if your asphalt pavement is constantly exposed to leaves and debris, you can easily manage that problem after sealing your pavement.

Sealcoating your asphalt pavement

Sealcoating your asphalt pavement is a very easy process. First, you need to clean the surface to get rid of any dirt and debris. Then, you should seal or repair all the cracks and potholes on the surface. Once you complete these two processes, you can then apply the sealer using a brush, squeegee, or spraying.

Once you apply the sealer, you need to give it around 24 – 48 hours to cure. To achieve the best results, you should let the surface sit undisturbed for that period. That means you shouldn’t allow vehicles to access the freshly sealed surface until it cures

Now, the cost of sealcoating your asphalt pavement depends on numerous factors, other than doing a simple calculation based on the square footage of your property. According to the experts from CSG Sealcoating, Tampa, there are different variables that come into play when determining the cost of sealcoating, like the potholes that need to be repaired, cracks that require filling, number of coats to be applied, type of sealant used, as well as the labor required. So, get in touch with your sealing contractor to get an estimate of the total cost depending on these factors.

Bottom Line

Sealcoating your asphalt pavement comes with numerous benefits. However, we cannot deny that sealcoating your asphalt pavement can help it to retain its beauty and structural integrity for a longer-term. With that said, it’s important to note that maintaining and extending the durability of your asphalt pavement starts as soon as it’s been installed. So, it’s recommended that you schedule professional asphalt sealcoating within 12 months after the initial installation.