The sealcoating process involves spray application of an asphalt emulsion to help protect asphalt from the elements.
Many years of research has proven that proper maintenance, including having your driveway sealcoated, doubles the life expectancy of asphalt.
Sealcoating protects asphalt from the elements like rain, snow, ice and the sun’s harmful UV rays.
It also protects it from gas, oil, antifreeze and any other unexpected spills that could eat away at your driveway.
If anything does leak on to your driveway it will eat away at the sealer first instead of your driveway.
Sealcoating protects the asphalt from all these damaging factors while giving your driveway a lovely deep black surface providing curb appeal.
Why We Sealcoat- Why We Need It
The asphalt in your driveway can deteriorate due to exposure from the sun, weather, heavy traffic or chemical spills.
Asphalt pavements are made up of stone (aggregate), fine stone or sand, and asphalt cement.
New asphalt cement is jet black but soon begins to fade from oxidation; this is the effect of sun, rain and snow oxidizing the asphalt cement in the pavement.
Once a newly paved driveway is exposed to the elements, the surface turns grey as the asphalt cement (black glue) wears away.
Once the aggregate (rocks) are exposed, water can now easily permeate the surface and start making its way through the driveway surface, towards the base.
Given enough time the pavement becomes brittle and has less resistance to the loads placed on it.
Once water finds its way to the base, it will either drain or pool up and stay underneath the driveway.
If the driveway’s base is not adequate and does not drain the water properly, the standing water will expand as it freezes during the winter, causing the driveway to heave (lift).
After several seasons of this freezing and heaving and then thawing during the spring, potholes will form as a result, hence the destruction of the asphalt surface.
Asphalt is a petroleum product so any other petroleum derivatives that contact it will dissolve into the asphalt cement, weakening or dissolving the glue-like properties.
These products commonly include motor oil, transmission/power steering or brake fluids, gasoline and perhaps household solvents.
To prevent cracks, deterioration and damage to your driveway, sealcoating is the best way to protect your investment.
