Asphalt paving is a good option for areas with a lot of vehicle traffic because it is durable and cost-effective and installation does not require much curing time. However, as durable as the material is, there are some things you need to consider to ensure the asphalt stays in good shape. Asphalt sealcoating can have a significant impact on the condition of your asphalt and offers protection to the surface throughout the year. 

Weather And Asphalt

Asphalt is durable when installed correctly, but over time, the sun and harsh weather can begin to damage the surface. Protecting the surface requires some maintenance and starts with keeping it clean. Dirt, sand, and other trash are easy to remove from the asphalt, but chemicals like gas or oil can also be an issue and should be dealt with as soon as you notice them on the pavement. 

Asphalt can crack under the summer sun, allowing water and other materials to get under the surface and causing damage to the soil or base material. Preventing damage to the surface is not easy, but adding asphalt sealcoating over the existing surface once or twice a year can help. The sealcoating fills in gaps and cracks in the asphalt and seals water and chemicals out.

When To Sealcoat

Asphalt sealcoating is best applied before there is damage to the surface, so it is best to have a professional asphalt sealcoating service apply the sealer before the first winter after the asphalt installation. The asphalt sealcoating can be applied most times of the year. However, the spring and fall temperatures make the material easier to work with and allow installers to get a better application over the entire paved area. 

Each asphalt paving service has its own recommendations for sealcoating, but often once a year is fine for new pavement. If you are in a part of the country that has a lot of snow and ice, asphalt sealcoating may be necessary in the spring and again in the fall to ensure that the salt, sand, and other surface treatments used to deal with the snow and ice don't damage the asphalt surface. 

If the asphalt surface has any damage, repairs are necessary before applying sealcoating. Asphalt filler is used to fill cracks, and patch materials are available for pothole repair. 

Most professional asphalt sealcoating services can fill the cracks and make repairs for you and then apply the sealer over the top to protect the asphalt surface and the repairs made to it.  

Contact a company like Cornerstone Paving to learn more.