Three Myths Surrounding Sealcoating And The Truth Surrounding Those Myths
If you are the owner of an asphalt surface, such as an asphalt driveway or parking lot, sealcoating may be a term that you have heard about. Sealcoating is a product that can be sprayed on to asphalt surfaces to help prevent water from seeping through the otherwise porous asphalt. Unfortunately, there are many myths out there about sealcoating. Here are a few of those myths and the truth surrounding those myths.
Sealcoating Protects Cracks
One of the biggest myths out there is that sealcoating is designed to protect cracks or that, when applied, it will help to protect cracks. This is not the case at all. A sealcoating product fills in the pores within the asphalt to prevent water from seeping in. This helps to prevent cracking from occurring. But if cracking is already present, sealcoating will not fill in the crack or protect it against further cracking. In this case, the crack will need to be filled in before the sealcoat can be applied. If you fail to seal the crack and simply have a sealcoat applied, the crack will continue to grow. This can turn into a pothole or your asphalt surface can collapse in spots.
Sealcoating Should Be Done at a Specified Time Frame
Another myth about sealcoating is that it should be done at a specified time frame. For example, you may think that sealcoating has to be applied yearly or every three years. As a general rule of thumb, sealcoating does not last for longer than three years. But this does not mean that you should wait three years to have your surface recoated. Weather elements, including the amount of rain, snow, ice, sunlight and the temperature your surface is exposed to can all affect how long the sealcoat lasts. And since some years have more rain or more cold temperatures than others, the length the sealcoat lasts varies. Pour some water on your asphalt surface. If the surface absorbs the water, sealcoating is needed. If the water pools on the surface, your sealcoating is still good.
Sealcoating is Not Beneficial For Older Asphalt
The last myth out there is that sealcoating in not beneficial for older asphalt. This is not true. When water seeps through your asphalt surface, it can lead to cracking and crumbling. Older surfaces are more susceptible to cracking and crumbling, so sealcoating is just as important at this stage of life as it is when it is new. Sealcoating is needed for all asphalt surfaces, regardless of their age.
If your asphalt surface is able to absorb drops of water that you pour on the surface, it is time to have the surface resealed. If you have cracks on the surface, have those sealed before you have your surface re-sealcoated. Contact your preferred asphalt contractor today to schedule an appointment today to help protect your surface.