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Why Driveway Owners Should Consider Regular Seal Coating Of Pavements

By Tanisha Berg


Driveways and parking lots constructed using asphaltic hot mix need to be protected from manmade and environmental factors. While asphaltic pavements can last for many years, they need to be treated on the surfaces to prevent premature damages. With seal coating contractors, they assist in applying a layer of sealant products to preserve the look and quality of driveways. Once you have laid down pavements, the blacktop begins to age, and with time, it will show defects.

Initially, the cracks are small appearing as tiny hairline cracks. However, as time goes, the minute cracks will widen and deepen. The moment you notice a change in color of driveway blacktop from the black hue to a faded grey shade, you should realize that it is time to sealcoat it. A sealant is meant to preserve the quality as well as flexibility of blacktop.

When you use a sealant product, you restore the beautiful black color of pavements. You also improve the flexibility of driveways and they can expand as well as constrict due to changes in temperature. To prevent cracking, asphalt pavements should be able to expand when they are exposed to heat and constrict when it is cold.

In the freeze thaw cycles, the frozen water will melt down and leave voids within the sub base. The blacktop collapses and fills the empty spaces. One way in which you can prevent water from entering sub base of asphaltic pavements is to apply sealants. Snow is also damaging to pavements. It may cause the binders to weaken and after the winter, you may experience problems like cracks and potholes.

There are many factors that will determine when you need to sealcoat the pavements. If the old coat is wearing out fast, then it may only take a few years before you apply another coating. The sealants can be washed away by water or snow. They are also peeled off due to the action of vehicles tires and the road surfaces.

Your blacktop is likely to collapse as the material fills the empty cracks. By using sealants, it helps protect water from penetrating inside pavements. The sealants provide a membrane cover, which is weatherproof. With timely application of sealcoats, it will extend the time life of your asphaltic pavements. Before you apply any sealant product, ensure the surfaces are in good condition.

You need to ensure the coat is applied at the right time. Initially, when you have installed new pavements, you will have to allow them cure properly. The light hydrocarbons should be allowed to dry and it may take a couple of months or even a year. During this time, you may not need to apply sealcoats.

Besides, sealcoats ought to be put when oils from a newly installed pavement have dried. When you have installed new driveways, the blacktop has light hydrocarbons. This is not the right time to apply sealants. You should wait until those oils have dried completely. It may take about 6 months to one year for such oils to dry. The first coating will be done once the pavements have cured properly. Asphaltic driveways should be sealcoated using sealants after every 3 to 5 years after the first coating.




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