Did you know that asphalt begins to deteriorate the moment it is first laid? It’s true. But don’t worry. As long as you take good care of your asphalt pavement and perform regular preventative maintenance, like sealcoating, your parking lot or other asphalt surface should last 15 years or longer.
“Seal coats are the best tool for preventing or arresting pavement deterioration,” according to Lone Star Roads, the Texas Engineering Extension Service publication. “No different than putting a new roof on a house, the seal coat fills voids and cracks, keeping water out of the pavement structure.”
Other Benefits of Sealcoating
- Reduces Asphalt Hardening: When air is allowed to penetrate the interconnected void spaces in your asphalt, asphalt hardening occurs. It is an oxidation process that dramatically reduces the lifespan of your asphalt surface. Sealcoating is used to close the surface pores to lengthen the life of the asphalt pavement.
- Reduces Water Penetration: Similar to the above process, sealcoating also reduces the amount of water that penetrates your asphalt surface. This helps increase the lifespan of the asphalt.
- Protects Against Corrosion: Sealcoating helps protect your asphalt pavement from the corrosive effects of gasoline, diesel oil, motor oil, and grease that drip onto your asphalt surface.
- Improves Aesthetics: While not its primary purpose, sealcoating does greatly improve the look of your asphalt surface. Professionally installed sealcoating not only reduces fading, but also gives your parking lot an aesthetically appealing dark black color.
- And so much more!
“Studies show that preventive maintenance is six to ten times more cost-effective than a “do nothing” maintenance strategy,” according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT). “The goal of such a program is to extend pavement life and enhance system-wide performance in a cost-effective and efficient way.”
Preventative Asphalt Maintenance & Sealcoating from Reliable Contracting, your Baltimore Asphalt Contractor
Reliable Contracting Company is a full-service commercial and residential asphalt paving contractor in Baltimore, Maryland, offering the production and installation of hot and cold-mix asphalt, asphalt patching, milling, crack filling, and, of course, sealcoating. We are your single-source solution for Maryland asphalt paving projects!
If you have any questions about Asphalt Maintenance and Sealcoating or if you have a construction project that you need completed right the first time, please contact Reliable Contracting by calling 410-987-0313 or visit our website. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Source:
Benefits of Preventative Maintenance Pavement Sealers Pavemanpro.com