Benefits of Sealcoating a Driveway or Parking Lot?

If you’ve just installed a brand new asphalt driveway then congratulations, you’ve made an excellent decision!

On the other hand if you’re currently in the process of deciding how to upgrade or replace your existing driveway, then you are probably considering either asphalt or concrete.

As with just about any decision in life there are good pros and cons to each surface. Asphalt, for example, is far quicker to install than a concrete driveway, with typical installation being completed over just a day or two of work – depending on the size of your driveway of course!

Another key consideration is price and here asphalt is also the clear winner. An asphalt drive will typically cost around 30 to 40% less than the price to concrete over an exact same sized driveway.

Time and price then are both in asphalts corner, so you may wonder why this debate is happening at all – why do people even bother going with concrete drives if asphalt is so clearly superior? Well the great pro of concrete, and the con of asphalt is, supposedly at least, in durability.

It is often assumed that concrete driveways – though more expensive and far more time consuming to install will reap benefits over asphalt driveways in the long run by providing a high level of durability. That, I’m happy to say is a myth.

For one thing, concrete installation is far more difficult than asphalt. Any mistakes during the preparation or laying of the concrete is going to result in cracking and subsidence later down the line. These problems are difficult – often impossible – to rectify after the concrete is laid down.

Asphalt driveways can have a reputation for lacking durability compared to concrete however this is more due to a lack of simple care and maintenance, rather than to any inherent defects in asphalt as a material.

Just spending a little time and effort now and then will add decades to the life of your asphalt drive. For example, should you notice cracking on your drive, nip this problem in the bud early. Cracks in asphalt, unlike concrete, can be repaired incredibly easily and cheaply with simple crack sealant solutions sold at any home improvement store.

In addition, a process called sealcoating is a must if you want to extend the life of your driveway. Sealcoating, if you’re unaware, is a chemical preparation that is simply sprayed all across the top of the asphalt surface where it is allowed to dry. It then forms a protective barrier over the asphalt surface protecting the asphalt from hazards such as weather extremes, and vehicle oil spillages. If you’d like to find out more about the steps an asphalt company would take to seal a driveway or a parking lot, visit http://www.asphaltpaversvirginiabeach.com – sealcoating.

It is also the equivalent of varnishing a fence to protect it from the weather. Asphalt, because of its nature as a petroleum product, is particularity prone to damage from the weather – especially sun and water damage. If you’ve ever seen an asphalt driveway that is cracked and grey looking, this is the result of a process called oxidation.

Oxidation occurs when natural oils that exist in Asphalt react to exposure to the sun and to water. This reaction will make the asphalt brittle over time, making it prone to cracking, as well as losing that deep, black finish that is a desired hallmark of asphalt application.

Sealcoating, in conjunction with other equally cheap and easy maintenance regimes can extend the life span of an asphalt driveway in excess of 20 years. Sealcoating is therefore a key process in ensuring the long life of your beautiful new driveway.