How To Know Your Asphalt Pavement Needs Sealcoating

Construction

While sealcoating asphalt pavements are highly advisable in cold climates, it is also very useful in humid and warmer continental climates like Warren County. Since asphalt is a petroleum based product, other petroleum products like oil and gasoline readily react with the asphalt surface. This, in turn, damage the asphalt surfaces like pavements, roads, parking lots, and driveways too quickly as a lot of vehicle traffic pass through them throughout the day, month, and year. 

Ways to Know Your Asphalt Driveway/Parking Lot Needs to be Seal Coated

Asphalt is widely used in Warren County especially for parking lot surfaces owing to its flexibility, adhesiveness, and waterproofing properties. But, asphalt surface also needs protection against damages and degradation as it faces constant exposure of sun, water, and regular foot and vehicle traffic. The first notice of deterioration in the condition of an asphalt surface is change in color, and cracks and potholes. 

Change in Color

When the asphalt surface is new, it is rich black in color but when it degrades, it starts fading to gray. Thus, as soon as you start noticing any alteration in the color, know that you should seal coat it by calling a Sealcoating Company in Warren County before asphalt surface condition gets worse.                           

Cracks and Potholes

Cracks and potholes both can develop in asphalt surfaces over time. The asphalt failure begins with the oxidation of an untreated asphalt pavement surface. This turns asphalt into brittle and dry and as the top layer erodes and degrades, the larger aggregate underneath is exposed. This gradually results in small cracks. 

A pothole occurs in the asphalt pavement when water gets trapped in the underlying soil structure. This asphalt failure grows as the surface degrades more due to constant traffic passage. Potholes and cracks must be repaired on a regular basis as part of maintenance. The application of sealcoat also helps in reducing the risk of cracks and potholes. 

How Sealcoat is Applied

First of all, the entire area covered by asphalt surface is cleaned with sweeping machines. Blowers and manual sweeping are also used to ensure that all particles are removed from the surface. Cleaning part is most important because if the asphalt is not properly clean, the sealcoat may not adhere to the surface. 

After cleaning, a sealcoat layer is applied by using pressurized spray equipment, self propelled squeegee machines or by hand with squeegee. As the sealer materials are continuously agitated to maintain consistency and the sealer is applied. Once the application is complete, it takes about 24 to 48 hours to cure before use. 

Contact Sealcoating Company in Warren County

It is important to find a reputed and experienced sealcoating company in Warren County to seal coat the asphalt surface if you want it to last longer. Sealcoating the surfaces laid with asphalt acts as a barrier against the materials that leak out from the vehicles. When properly applied, sealcoat can greatly save your money that you frequently spend on maintenance and repairs.