What is Sealcoating and Why Should I Do It?

Sealcoating is one of the most effective ways to keep your asphalt driveway in the best possible condition for many years.

So what exactly is sealcoating?

Essentially, sealcoating provides an extra layer or membrane on top of your asphalt driveway. This layer prevents the asphalt from being damaged by oxidization and the elements, as well as any fuel spillages that will inevitably occur from time to time.

Aside from being able to effectively protect your driveway from wear and tear, sealcoating will provide a beautiful finish to keep your surface looking as good as new over the years. This is a must for property managers who need to keep their car dealership or mobile home park looking as attractive as possible for customers and tenants!

Let’s take a look at the top 5 reasons why sealcoating is an absolute must for your asphalt driveway.

1. Slows down oxidization.
   Oxidization is a natural process caused by the sun’s rays that can dry out bitumen, leaving your driveway brittle and much more susceptible to cracks and damage. If that wasn’t enough, oxidization will also turn your driveway a worn-out grey color that you want to avoid at all costs!
   
   
2. Prevents water from entering cracks.
   Sealcoating fills in any newly emerging or larger cracks in your asphalt driveway, preventing water from entering these and wreaking havoc from below the surface. This is particularly problematic in winter when water may freeze and expand within those cracks, forcing them to become much larger.
   
   
3. Protects your driveway from fuel spillages.
   The similar chemical make-up of asphalt and gasoline ultimately means that fuel spillages can soften and weaken your driveway. Sealcoating forms a protective barrier to prevent fuel from binding with the asphalt surface.
   
   
4. Prevents the asphalt from cracking under pressure.
   One of the greatest features of asphalt is its flexible nature. When vehicles drive over an asphalt driveway, the surface will bend slightly to accommodate the weight without cracking. Unfortunately, pavement that is not regularly sealcoated and has become brittle due to oxidization will not retain this useful property, again leaving the driveway more open to damage.
   
   
5. Saves you time and money.
   A great new asphalt driveway is without a doubt an investment, and it only makes sense to keep it well maintained and in the best condition possible. Carrying out essential sealcoating can extend its life indefinitely, leaving you with an undamaged and attractive driveway for potentially decades to come.

If these incredible benefits weren’t enough to convince you, sealcoating is a fairly straightforward task when done right, and does not need to be carried out often.

All you need to dedicate is one weekend every 3 years or so to maintaining the driveway you paid for well into the future – it really is a no-brainer!