If you have an asphalt driveway, it is essential to sealcoat your driveway regularly. Sealcoating your asphalt driveway is a crucial maintenance task that will help keep your driveway in good shape. It is a great preventative measure that will allow you to get a few more years of usage out of your pavement and help save you from costly repairs.

Keep Water from Getting Below the Surface

One thing that can ruin your driveway faster than anything else is water falling below the surface. When water gets underneath the driveway, cracks can develop that gradually grow and expand over time, as more water can get in and damage the structure. It is vital to keep water from getting under your driveway.

By seal coating your driveway, you will seal up all the tiny cracks in it. You will also create a protective layer on the top that keeps moisture from getting inside of it. By keeping water out, your driveway will last longer.

Slow Down Oxidation Deterioration

The binding agents that hold your asphalt together will slowly deteriorate over time due to exposure to sunlight and air. This is a process known as oxidation deterioration. Oxidation deterioration causes the material to become brittle, which can lead to cracks and water damage.

Applying seal coating to the top of your driveway helps protect the top binders in the asphalt from decay. It helps to reduce the exposure to the air and sun that the structure experiences. Adding a sealant every two to three years will greatly slow down the rate of oxidation deterioration and allow you to get more usage from your pavement.

Increase Flexibility

You want your pavement to be flexible. Every time a vehicle drives over the pavement, it flexes a small amount. You want your driveway to be flexible and not brittle. Over time, asphalt becomes more brittle, which can lead to cracks. By adding a layer of seal coating, you increase the flexibility of the pavement and prevent it from becoming brittle, allowing it to handle the weight of vehicles without cracks developing.

If you have an asphalt driveway, you should get it seal coated every few years. Doing this will help extend the overall life of your driveway and save you from having to deal with more expensive maintenance issues. Sealcoating protects your pavement from water damage, slows down oxidation deterioration, and increases the flexibility of the material, all of which are critical steps that will extend the overall life of your pavement.

Keep these tips in mind when looking for a driveway sealcoating service near you.