Asphalt pavement looks great immediately after it’s laid down, but anyone who’s ever had an asphalt lot or driveway on their property knows how quickly bad weather can make their pavement both visually and structurally unsound. To minimize this type of damage, many paving professionals recommend applying a layer of seal coat—usually, acrylic or petroleum byproducts mixed with water and other additives—overtop of any new asphalt surface and reapplying fresh layers every few years.
In addition to making your asphalt lot look like new, consistent seal coating will also protect your lot from many forms of damage that severe weather might otherwise cause. Here is a brief overview of the importance of seal coating in extreme weather conditions, especially the conditions we often experience here in Austin and across central Texas.
One of the primary reasons seal coating is so important to extend the useful lifespan of asphalt pavement is right up above our heads. In addition to visible light, the sun emits ultraviolet radiation that can damage the surface of asphalt lots, just like it can damage your skin. Without a seal coat effectively acting as “sunscreen,” your lot will be much more prone to losing color quickly and developing cracks and other structural weaknesses caused by the oxidation of the chemicals and other materials inside it.
Along similar lines, a fresh layer of properly dried and set seal coating is much more effective at repelling rain, sand, dirt, and other materials—including oil and gasoline from motor vehicles—so that it can’t get underneath the uppermost layer of an asphalt lot and degrade the foundational materials underneath. While protection from rain might not be at the top of your mind if you live in a hot and dry place like Austin, Texas, the occasional rainstorm can still cause serious structural damage to your lot in the long run if you aren’t prepared for it.
Another key benefit to regular seal coating as a means of preventing damage from extreme weather conditions is how much it simplifies regular maintenance. Asphalt with seal coating is much smoother than asphalt without seal coating, which makes the surface as a whole much easier to keep clear of debris and maintain in good condition for years at a time.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that asphalt with fresh seal coating looks as clean and bright as freshly laid asphalt in many cases. In other words, it’s a good way to both protect your lot from the worst of the natural world and get all the aesthetic benefits of a completely new lot without needing to spend all that time or money on repaving.
Seal coating is a cost-effective and long-lasting way to mitigate damage to your asphalt pavement caused by exposure to rain, ice, motor oil, and even the sun. However, it’s also a perfect example of something that isn’t half as effective if it’s not done properly by experienced professionals, especially if you’re trying to seal coat a large parking lot or an area that sees a lot of daily vehicle traffic.
No matter what type of lot you have or what help you need with maintaining, repairing, or replacing it, Integrity Paving & Coatings can give you dependable and affordable service while always prioritizing transparency, quality, and efficiency. Call today to discuss your options.
Schedule your free, on-site consultation and estimate today! Call Integrity Paving & Coatings at (512) 853-9009 or get your quote online.