Rochester NY Sealcoating is a service that helps prevent the cracking and deterioration of asphalt pavement. It is a bituminous based liquid formulation that replenishes asphalt oils and forms a protective surfactant layer.
Weather conditions have a huge impact on how well the sealcoat material adheres to pavement and how quickly it dries or “cures.” The temperature, humidity, sunlight and precipitation must all be taken into consideration when sealcoating.
Asphalt is prone to water damage, particularly when it’s been subjected to continuous sunlight or standing water. When this happens, it can cause the material to crack and break down, leaving you with costly repairs. Sealcoating creates a protective layer that prevents water from entering your pavement, keeping it intact and safe to drive on.
In addition to protecting your asphalt from water damage, sealcoating also enhances its strength and flexibility. This is a crucial element to consider when thinking about parking lot maintenance, as it helps your parking lot withstand the pressure of cars and trucks driving on it. Without regular seal coating, asphalt can become soft and brittle due to oxidization, making it more vulnerable to cracking and other damages. By sealing your asphalt every couple of years, you can prevent this from happening and keep your parking lot in good condition.
Sealcoating isn’t just a preventative measure, it can make your parking lot look like new again. Asphalt pavement that is faded, stained, and damaged doesn’t look appealing to customers or potential tenants. Sealcoating can help prevent this from occurring, preserving the original black color of your parking lot and making it look brand-new again.
Aside from being an excellent way to enhance your curb appeal, maintaining a well-sealed asphalt parking lot can actually save you money in the long run. As a result of regularly sealcoating your asphalt, the life of the material will be extended by up to double, saving you money on costly repairs down the road.
Prevents Damage from UV Rays
Asphalt can withstand a lot, but the sun’s harsh UV rays are the pavement’s worst enemy. Over time, the ultraviolet rays break down the carbon bonds that keep your pavement strong and in good condition. This is a problem that can’t be avoided, but sealcoating slows the deterioration process down significantly. A seal coat with an anti-oxidation additive protects the asphalt from UV rays and other damaging substances like oil and chemical spills.
Keeping your driveway or parking lot sealed is the best way to ensure that it stays in good condition for as long as possible. It’s also a great way to boost your curb appeal and give your business or residence a well-maintained appearance that gives a positive first impression to visitors or tenants.
An unsealed parking lot or driveway can be vulnerable to water damage all year round, especially in the winter. Water can seep into small cracks and freeze, causing them to expand as it melts. This can lead to large cracks that weaken the asphalt, making it more susceptible to damage. Fortunately, seal coating fills in these small cracks to prevent water from seeping in and causing damage.
A regular coat of sealcoating will not only protect your pavement from oxidation, but it will also add a fresh look that can make it appear newer for longer. This is a crucial step in maintaining the value of your property.
If you’re not sure how often to have your asphalt sealed, you can ask an expert for advice. A professional will assess the type of usage and traffic volume that your parking lot or driveway experiences. High-traffic areas will need to be sealed more frequently than low-traffic residential areas. Generally, you can expect to need your asphalt sealcoated every 2-3 years, but this will vary depending on the use and weather conditions in your area.
The key to ensuring that your asphalt sealcoating lasts as long as possible is proper preparation before the application. This includes sweeping away any dirt, leaves or debris from the surface and repairing any cracks or potholes. It’s also essential to only perform the process when temperatures are above 50 degrees during both the day and night, with low humidity and no chance of rain for 24 hours afterward.
Prevents Cracks from Forming
A lot of property owners want a catch-all treatment that protects asphalt from the elements. But there’s no such thing as a magic solution that will prevent and repair all kinds of damage. Instead, maintenance requires a balancing act of addressing specific problems as they occur. One of the most effective treatments is sealcoating.
A professional pavement contractor will thoroughly clean the asphalt surface before applying the sealant. This process involves power washing and using industrial sweepers to get rid of dirt and other substances that could interfere with the adhesion of the coating. It’s also important to ensure that the asphalt is dry before the application of the sealant. Otherwise, the coating might not stick to it, causing the surface to flake and peel later on.
Pavement cracks are a common problem that can plague asphalt surfaces. But they can be addressed with specialized crack filling and other maintenance methods. Sealcoating, on the other hand, is a preventive measure that keeps the pavement from being damaged in the first place. Think of it like sunscreen for your skin – it shields it from the sun’s harsh UV rays and other environmental factors that can cause it to deteriorate over time.
The ingredients in the sealant are able to penetrate and bind to the asphalt, preventing it from softening and becoming brittle under pressure from traffic and temperature changes. It also provides a barrier against oil, fuel, and chemical spills, preventing them from penetrating and damaging the paved surface.
The dark color of the sealant makes your asphalt look fresh and new, so it improves the curb appeal of your property. It also gives your business a positive image and shows that you care about how people perceive your parking lot.
Prevents Dirt from Seeping into the Asphalt
Asphalt is a rock and stone mixture with a binding agent created from the distillation process of certain crude oils. The asphalt binder is what makes the pavement able to withstand heavy traffic and other forces that degrade it. The sun’s UV rays, rain, and chemicals slowly wear down the binder over time. The end result is that the pavement becomes dry and brittle. If left unprotected, it is not uncommon for the pavement to develop small cracks and holes. Sealcoating prevents this damage by sealing in the cracks and filling them with a dark and durable layer of protection.
A sealcoat is similar to asphalt paving in that it is a thick coating that protects the surface of your driveway or parking lot. The primary difference is that whereas asphalt paving involves placing new material on the surface, sealcoating only applies a thin coat of protective materials to the existing pavement.
There are several different types of sealcoat, but they all provide the same basic benefits. A slurry seal, for example, is a thicker version of asphalt emulsion. This type of sealcoat is more expensive, but it offers added durability. Another type of sealcoat is acrylic, which uses a resin that can be oil- or water-based. It is more expensive, but it provides excellent UV and weather protection.
Sealcoating also helps to hide minor cracks and patches. A fresh coat of sealant can turn a haggard-looking driveway or parking lot into a clean-looking and well-maintained surface that raises the perceived value of your property.
Whether you are looking to have your parking lot or driveway sealcoated, it is important to hire professionals to ensure that the job is done right. This includes cleaning the surface using powerful equipment like blowers, rotary brooms, and sweepers. The area should be completely dry before the sealant is applied. If there is any chance of rain within 24 hours after the application, it’s important to post signs and barricades to keep vehicles and pedestrians away from the area. A professional will also use a special asphalt primer to help the sealant adhere better to the surface.