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Advantages of Sealcoating and Crack Filling

Sealcoating and crack filling are critical to the durability of your asphalt driveway. These preventive maintenance measures also improve your property’s curb appeal.

Sealing asphalt protects it from water damage, spills, weather elements, and traffic wear. Before applying the sealer, the contractor will first repair surface cracks using a crack sealer.

Experts recommend seal coating new asphalt within the first year of application. However, it is not advisable to seal coat within 90 days of the first application.
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The consequences of ignoring sealcoating and crack filling are alligator cracking and potholes, leading to the need for major repairs such as asphalt patching and resurfacing.

Why is Sealcoating important?

​Sealcoating is a process where a protective top coating is applied to asphalt paving. As asphalt ages, the binder (bitumen) that keeps the sand and gravel degrades. The leading cause of this degradation is oxidation from the sun rays. However, rain, snow, and chemicals such as car oil also compromise the binder.

The seal coat acts as a barrier preventing the rapid degradation of the binder. It is a liquid compound applied on the surface of asphalt using a brush, sprayer, or squeegee. Typically, seal coating is a service provided by professional asphalt paving maintenance professionals.
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If performed correctly and regularly by an experienced contractor, seal coating will extend the life and enhance the appearance of asphalt paving.

What are the main benefits of seal coating?

• Sealcoating promotes the durability of asphalt by protecting it from the sun, moisture, and chemical spills.
• Sealcoating saves you money. With regular sealcoating, your asphalt stays in good shape for longer. Your driveway will stay for longer without requiring replacement or expensive repairs such as resurfacing and patching.
• Sealcoating enhances the appearance of asphalt paving. Asphalt fades with time. After some years, it can be hard to differentiate it from worn-out concrete. The seal coat restores and highlights the attractive dark color of asphalt.
• Sealcoating gives your driveway or parking lot a smooth surface that’s ideal for cleaning

What are the benefits of crack filling?

It starts as a minor crack, maybe a few centimeters wide. You ignore it, and soon your driveway has alligator cracks and potholes.
Erosion, wear and tear, heat, and weathering are some of the causes of asphalt cracking. Regardless of the cause, one thing is for sure, cracking leads to more cracking. The cracks trap moisture and water, which expands when it freezes, causing more erosion of the asphalt.
Some of the benefits of crack filling include:

• Preventing extensive damage in the future: By sealing small cracks, you prevent more severe damage such as potholes and alligator cracking.
• Saving on repair costs: By preventing more severe damage, which requires more expensive repairs, crack filling saves you money.
• Improving the appearance of your premises or home: Cracks are un-attractive. Crack fillers conceal the cracks, thereby improving the appearance.
• Protecting asphalt from water damage: When water seeps through the cracks, it causes more cracking. Water also causes degradation of the sub grade (foundation) of the asphalt paving.
• Enhancing the safety of asphalt paving: Cracks are potential slip hazards, especially for pedestrians. In your place of business or commercial property, a fall by a customer or employee is a lawsuit risk.

Crack filling is the first part of the sealcoating process. However, most contractors offer it as a separate service. 

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(817) 799-6368