A Look At How Sealcoating Protects Your Asphalt Driveway

If your property has an old asphalt driveway, it may be looking its age. Asphalt wears down over time due to weather changes, the weight of vehicles, and sun exposure. One common problem with asphalt is that it bleaches out and loses its attractive dark color. A more serious problem is the development of cracks and potholes. Ideally, you'll repair damage before it gets so bad you have to resurface or replace the asphalt. One way to protect your driveway is by sealcoating it. Here's a look at how it works.

Sealcoating Is Different From Resurfacing

Resurfacing is also done to asphalt driveways but this process involves putting down a new layer of asphalt on top of the driveway to extend its life and fill in cracks. Sealcoating is much different. It does not put down new asphalt. Instead a thin top coating is applied that's more like a protective shield for the existing asphalt.

Sealcoating Slows Deterioration Of The Asphalt

Sealcoating prolongs the life of your driveway by slowing down the process of wear and tear. The coating resists water so the driveway is protected from water damage that might seep into the base. The coating also protects against UV damage that can damage the asphalt and lead to fading. Sealcoating protects your driveway against stains and scraps. Rather than the asphalt being damaged, the top coat takes the damage while the asphalt is protected. The sealcoating eventually wears down, but replacing it is much less expensive and less labor intensive than resurfacing the asphalt.

The Sealcoating Process Also Involves Repairs

Repairing asphalt damage is part of the sealcoating process. If there are cracks in the asphalt, they must be filled in before the coating is applied. In this way, sealcoating is also a good way of maintaining your driveway and keeping cracks repaired. First, the contractor cleans the driveway thoroughly and then fills in cracks. After that, one or two layers of coating are applied and allowed to dry. When the sealcoat is dry, your driveway will look good as new since crack repairs will be invisible and the driveway will be black again.

A few factors affect how often you should have your driveway sealcoated. The weather and amount of traffic on the asphalt come into play, but generally it should be reapplied every one to three years. The coating will keep your driveway in good shape so the curb appeal of your property is maintained. Contact a service, like AAA Asphalt Paving, for more help.