Your driveway is meant to be durable, strong, and long-lasting. A constant rolling pressure of thousands of pounds is a challenging task. But thankfully, asphalt is a competent material.
But what if we told you that your asphalt driveway could be made even better in every aspect you can think of? What if you can increase its longevity, its capabilities and enhance your driveway’s look?
You can make all of these improvements with just one very affordable process of seal coating your driveway. If you are on the fence about seal coating your driveway, this article will convince you to get it done as soon as possible.
What is Sealcoating?
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Asphalt is a durable material made of bitumen and granular elements like rocks, gravel, etc. While it can manage heavy loads over it, the porous nature of the asphalt makes it an easy target of elemental degradation.
In seal coating, the sealant is an excellent compound made of refined coal tar, water, emulsifying agents, and other chemicals used to cover the asphalt, practically sealing all the minute pores.
Driveway sealcoating is a very simple process but with a plethora of benefits. It covers the exposed surface of your asphalt driveway and acts as a seal. The method is very cost-effective with a low labor cost.
Sealing the driveway is so easy that many homeowners do it themselves. This DIY (Do It Yourself) nature of sealing your driveway is one of the many reasons a sealed driveway is getting more preference.
Let’s look at all the benefits your driveway (and you) can get from getting an asphalt sealcoating.
Driveway Sealing Slows Down Oxidation
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Oxidation is a process that ruins everything. It leads to the deterioration of food, meat, our health, and even the hardy asphalt of your driveway. The ultraviolet rays from the sun react with the chemicals of the asphalt.
This reaction makes the driveway brittle and increases the pores’ size, reducing the driveway’s endurance. Oxidation causes your driveway to get damaged easily and wear out sooner.
Sealing the driveway does not stop oxidation but slows it down drastically. The result of this is a much more durable driveway. Who does not want that?
It Increases the Flexibility of the Driveway
Sealing your driveway increases its flexibility. By flexibility, we do not mean that seal coating would make your driveway bounce like trampolines. We are talking about flexibility at the microscopic level.
Things that bend do not easily break. The same idea is used here. When there is a microscopic layer of sealant over the asphalt that flexes and acts as a shock absorber, vehicles’ impact on the driveway’s wear is significantly reduced.
It is like how bubble wrap protects breakable objects like glass. Increased flexibility extends the driveway’s life, prevents the formation of cracks and holes, and saves you a lot of money in repair costs.
Drive Sealcoating Reduces Skidding
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Asphalt is known for its firm grip on tires. But the weather conditions and dust layer over it reduce the grip, making vehicles more likely to skid. Seal coating your driveway ensures that the grip remains solid and tight.
Since the sealant is like an adhesive on the asphalt (and it prevents the build-up of dirt, grime, etc., on the surface), you get reduced skidding.
Enhances the Look of the Driveway
This benefit is something that no one can deny; a seal-coated driveway looks way better than a plain asphalt driveway. The driveway stays cleaner and looks smoother and denser with a seal coating.
All of this is due to the covering of pores and a richer and darker look. Not only does the driveway look better, but it also maintains the new look for much longer than plain, asphalt driveways.
Reduces Dirt Deposit
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The benefits of sealcoating your driveway work interconnectedly to provide various benefits. As we mentioned before, sealing your driveway covers up the porous surface of the asphalt.
This sealant layer prevents oils, dirt, grime, and other particles from getting inside the pores and helps in protecting asphalt surfaces. The amount of dirt in the pores of asphalt driveways would shock you.
Reduced dirt deposit works in multiple ways to add more benefits; it enhances the driveway’s look, gives it a new look, and improves the asphalt grip to reduce skidding.
Prevents Minute Damages and Oil Stains
The pores of asphalt driveways are great at catching dirt and oil, but they also make the driveway brittle and prone to minute damages, holes, and cracks. But what harm can a small gap do?
A small crack in your driveway or even a tiny hole can act as a chink in the armor. Most of the potholes and driveway damage start as minor cracks and holes. One small opening can fasten up the process of deterioration.
Sealcoating prevents these small cracks and potholes and stops those dirty and stubborn oil stains that ruin the look of your driveway. Just use a pressure washer, and you’ll get a clean driveway.
Driveway Sealcoating Prevents Water Intrusion
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Apart from the sun’s damaging UV, water is also one of the most destructive elements for your driveway. Water can seep through the porous surface of asphalt and damage the entire driveway.
Weather and extreme climate can cause extra damage as the increase and decrease in temperature expands and contracts water. It is like something is trying to create a crack in the driveway underneath it.
Sealing the driveway reduces its porosity as the sealer prevents water from seeping inside.
Extends the Life of Your Driveway
The final point here works as a summary of all the benefits. Every other benefit mentioned above works to extend the life of your driveway. Fixing potholes and cracks and cleaning your driveway too often can cost you a lot.
Take the intelligent step and seal coat your driveway and save money while getting all the benefits simultaneously. It’sIt’s a win-win for you and your driveway.
