Benefits of Sealing Asphalt Driveway
Sealing asphalt driveways is a very popular and efficient way of preserving asphalt pavement, allowing it to last longer and therefore be more cost-effective in the end. Protecting and prolonging the life of your asphalt saves you money in the long run, and ensures a durable surface for whatever your needs may be. But, how long does seal coating last and how often should it be re-applied? Let us take a look at what seal coating is and how it is used to create a longer-lasting and more durable surface for years to come.
Blacktop Sealing Nashville Pave Bids Nashville TN – Driveway Sealing
What Is Seal Coating?
Seal coating is a mixture of liquids specifically combined with the purpose of protecting and “sealing” asphalt pavement. Most commonly, sealing asphalt driveway coating is typically a combination of dissolved asphalt, mineral fillers, and water. Sometimes this mixture can also use a rubberized polymer epoxy latex that will add a bit more flexibility and a dark, rich black coloring once it dries. Additionally, some seal coatings use sand and silica to create more traction and increase durability depending on what types of vehicles will be used on the asphalt later.
What Is Seal Coating Used For?
The primary benefit of using seal coating on your asphalt pavement is that it will prolong the life of the asphalt, which in turn gives you a better return on your investment. Seal coating can be used for driveways, parking lots, and any other instance where you want to protect and extend the life of your asphalt surface. Sealing asphalt driveway protects asphalt pavement from a number of things including, but not limited to, water penetration, sun damage, vehicle fluids, and any other chemical or liquid that might otherwise pierce through the surface of the pavement.
How Long Does Seal Coating Last?
Typically, seal coating should last about three years before needing to be re-applied. Much of the life expectancy of your seal coating depends on the condition the asphalt pavement is in when it is sealed. If the asphalt is sealed when it is freshly paved before having vehicles or anything else on it, then you should be able to make it to three years before having to redo it. However, if the asphalt is already old or in poor shape when it is sealed, then you will need to re-apply more often, every year and a half or so. This is also dependent upon the environment, including weather such as high heat, intense cold, heavy rain, etc.
If you have any questions about whether or not seal coating is a good choice for your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us today! 615-640-3443
The winter in Nashville is always festive and the usual mild temperatures mean that you can enjoy outdoor activities most of the winter without fear of slippery streets. However, it is also important to prepare for the occasional extreme weather conditions. It only takes one dip in the temperature, especially after rain creates dangerously slippery ice on roads, stairways, driveways, and parking lots.
For these occasions in Nashville Tennessee, it is imperative for homeowners and businesses to clear parking lots of ice for the safety of people walking to and from their cars.
As a paving company in Nashville, we are often asked the question “what is the best way to remove ice from asphalt for both the safety of people and to prolong the life of newly paved driveways or parking lots?”
Calcium Magnesium Acetate is the safest product on the market to remove ice from driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots. This ice melt works at temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit and is completely safe to use around children and pets. While it may not be as effective as salt, it will work effectively for many different surfaces and is also eco-friendly. It is, however, more costly than salt products.
Sodium Chloride (otherwise known as rock salt). Salt-ice-melting agents come in pellets, flakes, and crystals. They’re fast-acting and effective in removing ice from asphalt surfaces. While these products are less expensive than calcium magnesium acetate, they’re not the safest option for use on pavement. They’re also not environmentally friendly and may be hazardous to workers, plants, and pets. Over time, salt can also damage asphalt and cause the need for costly maintenance and repairs. The best option is to avoid salt altogether.
Calcium Chloride is another common ice melt agent which can work at temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit and is considered the most effective ice melt agent for asphalt. Nevertheless, these chemicals aren’t environmentally friendly however, Calcium Chloride is somewhat less caustic on concrete than some of the other ice salts and melts ice faster.
Both Calcium Chloride and Calcium Magnesium Acetate are effective deicing agents that are less caustic than Sodium Chloride (rock salt). If you’re unsure about which product to use, read the label before you buy, follow directions, and use caution when using a salt substitute
So, when snow falls, be sure to take these precautions to prevent accidents. While it is more costly to use, calcium magnesium acetate is the highest-quality, effective, and safest ice-melting agent to help protect your asphalt against freezing and thawing.
No matter which product you choose, be prepared and be sure to have an ice-melting product readily available to prevent slip and fall accidents on your public parking lot areas and driveways.
As always, if you have any questions, or need seal coating, maintenance, parking lot line striping, or pothole repair services, A-Hole Paving is here to serve you in the Greater Nashville area.