When Should You Sealcoat Your Asphalt Driveway?
Asphalt driveways should last for years. However, they do need to be recoated periodically. The easiest way to do this is to apply a layer of sealcoat on the surface. These coatings have some cosmetic and protective benefits.
When should you have your driveway sealcoated?
Your Driveway Has Cosmetic Problems
Your driveway will have looked great when you first had it installed. If you used traditional asphalt, then it would have had a deep and rich black hue. Colored products would have looked bright.
Over time, asphalt surfaces lose some of these good looks. Exposure to the sun allows harmful UV light to do some cosmetic damage to the surface. This damage can get worse as sealants wear off your driveway.
For example, a deep and rich black asphalt driveway might look grey and tired after a few years. Colored surfaces might fade and lose some of their initial color and brightness.
Plus, driveways are naturally cosmetically affected by the way you use them. Your cars will drip oil and grease on the surface. Your driveway might now also be marred by these stains.
A sealcoat restores your driveway. This new layer covers faded and dull surfaces. It deals with unsightly staining. So, your driveway will look like new again at a lower-than-replacement cost.
Your Driveway Has Some Damage
If you don't seal your driveway regularly, then it is more likely to get damaged. Wear and weathering can affect the top layers of the surface.
For example, unsealed asphalt can dry out in the sun. This makes the surface more brittle than it should be. Plus, UV light can also leach out some of the asphalt's natural flexibility making it harder than it was when it first went down.
Brittle and hard asphalt won't stay in good shape for long. You might start to notice signs of damage on your driveway such as cracks, tiny holes, and dents.
You can and should repair these problems; however, they are likely to return or worsen if they were caused by inadequate sealing. You need to take an extra sealcoating step to really fix your driveway.
If you sealcoat your driveway after these repairs, then you restore its natural flexibility and consistency. The sealcoat protects the surface from weathering problems. It gives your driveway a fresh start. As long as you coat the surface regularly from now on, it will stay in better condition.
Contact asphalt sealcoating services to find out more.
