When taking care of your Asphalt driveway or pavement, it’s important to think about asphalt cracking prevention. Cracking occurs when asphalt is exposed to sunlight over a long period of time. UV radiation from the sun can cause asphalt aggregate to break apart, forming dangerous and unsightly cracks. Cold weather can make this process occur much faster and much more often. Tristate Paving, your Maryland paving professionals, is here with the importance of asphalt sealing, which can be used to prevent pavement cracking.
So How Does Asphalt Sealing Work?
An application of asphalt sealing product has the power to improve its appearance and extend its lifespan exponentially. Essentially, they provide a powerful protective layer against UV radiation, moisture damage, and extreme temperature changes. Asphalt sealing can be done with a wide variety of materials, so it’s important to know the difference between them before choosing.
What Asphalt Sealing Material Should I Use?
Traditional: Traditional asphalt sealing products are made with a mixed emulsifier, which typically resembles a soapy substance, and water. While they are undoubtedly the cheapest available solution for asphalt sealing, they have a very short lifespan and don’t offer much protection against ultraviolet rays.
Coal Tar: Coal tar asphalt sealant consists of an emulsifier mixed with tiny clay particles, which makes it very easy to apply. Coal tar asphalt sealing products are incredibly effective at preserving asphalt against repeat exposure to oil and gasoline, making them ideal for asphalt that will see a lot of traffic. Many coal tar asphalts are made with special polymers that offer UV protection.
Acrylic Polymer: Acrylic polymer sealants are entirely synthetic, made with chemical components deigned to offer the maximum amount of protection against UV radiation and the elements. These asphalt sealing products tend to offer more protection than any other kind of sealant although they do cost more.
How Often Should Sealant Be Applied?
If your asphalt has been recently laid you should think about having asphalt sealing done roughly one year after the initial asphalt paving. Because asphalt is made with oils it remains relatively flexible until these oils evaporate, which typically takes about a year. If your asphalt has already been sealed and is over a year old, you should make sure to have asphalt sealing done about once every three years. A good way to tell if it needs sealing is if it starts to look gray, rather than black. This is a sign of over-oxidation, which eventually causes asphalt cracking.
Interested in Professional Asphalt Sealing Services?
Then call Tristate Paving! We’re an experienced asphalt sealing and paving company with the knowledge and skills necessary to take care of your asphalt sealing project quickly and affordably. If you want to keep your asphalt looking and performing great, then consider calling us for professional asphalt sealing services.
Our area numbers are:
West Chester: 610.563.9456
Oxford: 610.932.3566
Delaware: 302.757.4100
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Tags: asphalt paving, asphalt repair, asphalt sealant, sealcoating, sealing
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