Calculating Business Risks

Posted on: 14 August 2019

Asphalt is a mixture of materials held together with a binder. While it's perfect for driveways, roads, and parking lots, exposure to the outdoors and UV rays causes a low deterioration of the asphalt. The first effect to be noted is fading of the color. Then, cracks, crumbles, and potholes may gradually appear. One way to slow down the deterioration of asphalt is to have a sealcoating applied. When asphalt sealcoating is done every few years as needed, the asphalt is protected and has a longer life. Here's how a sealcoating works. 

A Sealcoat Is A Thin Surface Layer

Asphalt sealcoating might be asphalt-based, tar-based, or petroleum-based material that's spread over the surface of the area being treated. Asphalt sealcoating contractors often use machines with squeegee attachments that spray out the coating and then level it as the machine moves. This makes work go quicker on roads and large parking lots. When sealcoating a driveway, the material might be sprayed on by hand or applied and squeegeed manually. When finished, the new layer provides a thin coating that covers the asphalt in a continuous layer for the best protection.

Asphalt Sealcoating Makes Asphalt Look Dark

While a new coating may not make your driveway or parking lot look brand new, it can restore the color to its original dark shade. Since a faded lot is a sign of a neglected lot, keeping your parking lot dark with regular application of sealcoating makes your property look like it is maintained well. Plus, the dark color can hide stains and imperfections better. However, cracks should be repaired first as best possible as these will show under the sealcoating if they are very large.

Sealcoating Is A Sacrificial Barrier

Sealcoating doesn't have a very long life. It wears away as it protects the asphalt. Exposure to UV rays, weather extremes, and the weight of vehicles wears down the coating in a few years. A contractor can help you determine how often to have a new coating applied depending on how much traffic is on the asphalt. While the coating is in place and protecting the parking lot, road, or driveway, the coating provides a barrier against rain and UV deterioration. Protection from rain is important so that rain doesn't leak down through cracks and wash out the base underneath. This can lead to the development of potholes.

Applying sealcoating is a fairly quick job, and much quicker and easier than applying a new layer of asphalt. Part of your lot or driveway needs to be blocked off while the coating is being applied, but depending on weather conditions, your asphalt will be ready for traffic again in just a few days.