If you have an asphalt driveway or parking lot, you might be wondering if asphalt sealcoating is necessary or just an additional expense. Just like any other maintenance modification, sealcoating comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Here are a few facts about asphalt sealcoating to keep in mind when making your decision.
For more information, request a free estimate from one of our asphalt contractors in southeastern Michigan.
What Is Asphalt Sealcoating?
is the material of choice for many driveways and parking lots, but if it is not properly maintained, it can crumble and crack over time.
Sealcoating is the process of applying a protective black coating to an asphalt surface to block out water, oil, salt, and UV rays. The coating fills in small cracks in the pavement, repairing minor damage to prolong the life of the asphalt. It can also make an older, sun-bleached driveway or parking lot look just like new.
Pros of Asphalt Sealcoating
will save you money in the long run by protecting your asphalt driveway or parking lot from the wear and tear that inevitably occurs with age. Whether it’s an oil spill or a pothole, an unsealed asphalt driveway or parking lot is vulnerable to damage that can greatly reduce your curb appeal.
With sealcoating, you can repel oil stains and block out the moisture that eventually causes potholes. If left unprotected, water can seep down into the foundation of a parking lot or driveway, compromising the structural integrity of the asphalt. When this happens, it becomes a safety issue and the surface will need to be replaced.
One of the biggest pros of asphalt sealcoating, of course, is appearance. Even if you’ve managed to escape cracks, stains, and potholes, the sun’s rays will still bleach the asphalt to a faded gray color over time. Sealcoating your asphalt driveway or parking lot will restore it to like-new condition, complete with a shiny black finish.
Cons of Asphalt Sealcoating
There are a few cons to asphalt sealcoating. First, sealcoating is a process that must be maintained over time in order to see continued results. This means having your driveway or asphalt parking lot re-sealed every 2-3 years. However, if you hire our professional asphalt sealcoating contractor to perform the work, you’ll see much better and longer-lasting results than if you do it yourself.
Another con is that if you’ve waited too long to sealcoat your asphalt parking lot or driveway, sealcoating alone might not be enough to fix the damage. It’s possible that you will need to consider asphalt resurfacing or overlays instead.
Asphalt sealcoating is an investment, but it’s better to make this decision up front than to deal with asphalt resurfacing or replacement down the line. The appearance and protection that asphalt sealcoating can give to your driveway or parking lot are more than worth the cost.
Let’s Get Started
Whether you’re in need of asphalt sealcoating or driveway resurfacing, our at Allied Construction have you covered. Get started with a free estimate or give one of our Michigan locations a call today!
This blog post has been updated.