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Sealcoating is a routine type of maintenance that will be capable of substantially extending the life of the pavement. Despite being an extremely effective solution for protecting asphalt pavement, it is not always fully utilized by homeowners and business owners. This can lead to them being more likely to experience premature issues with the pavement sealcoating.

Can Sealcoat Repair Surface Cracks In The Pavement?

Cracks in the surface of the pavement are one of the most common types of wear that these surfaces can experience. While these cracks may seem fairly small, they can be more than enough to cause extensive damage to the pavement. Sealcoating is not capable of repairing these problems, but it can mitigate the risk of them forming. This is achieved through the ability of the sealcoat to prevent water from getting inside the asphalt.

Will Sealcoating Protect The Asphalt Against Deicing Chemicals?

Deicing chemicals are a necessity for many areas of the country as the winter months can bring large amounts of snow and ice to their property. While deicing chemicals are capable of removing the ice that could form on these surfaces, they can be very abrasive to the pavement. The use of asphalt sealant can help to mitigate this type of wear to the pavement. However, the sealcoat will degrade more quickly due to the exposure to these deicing chemicals. You can limit these effects by regularly rinsing the deicing chemicals from the surface when the icy conditions have passed.  When rinsing the pavement, a hose with a strong jet of water should be used as this will have enough force to remove the deicing chemicals that have fallen into small spaces on the asphalt's surface.

How Long Will You Have To Avoid The Asphalt Once The Sealcoat Is Applied?

A sealcoat will need to be given enough time to cure and bond to the pavement before it can be safely used. Failing to give the sealcoat enough time to fully cure can lead to there being weak spots in its coverage, which can cause some areas of the asphalt to be far more vulnerable to damage. For this reason, a homeowner that lives in areas that regularly require the use of deicing chemicals may want to be prepared to have new seal coats applied more frequently. While sealcoat may have a maximum lifespan of a decade or longer, these homes may require a fresh coat of sealant to be applied to the pavement every few years.

Contact a paving contractor for more information about asphalt sealcoating.