The Benefits of Sealcoating

The benefits of seal coating

No matter how high-quality your materials are nor how perfectly your surface was applied, the fact of the matter is: all surfaces—be they concrete or asphalt—have an expiration date. Fortunately, for asphalt, there is a way to extend this date for a very long time.

Over time, surfaces inevitably take quite a beating. The constant flow of heavy traffic, destructive vehicle leakages, and harsh climates will eventually take their toll and cause your surface to deteriorate. Fortunately, there are, indeed, measures you can take to protect the integrity of your surface and prolong its lifespan considerably. Most helpful among those measures is sealcoating.

What is Sealcoating?

Simply put, sealcoating is a process whereby a surface specialist will apply a protective coating on your asphalt or concrete surface to protect it from erosive factors. How often a sealcoat is applied is dependent on how much your surface endures each day, where it’s located and the materials of which it’s comprised.

For instance, an outdoor parking lot made of asphalt will be subjected to harsh weather conditions more often than one located indoors. The outdoor lot will require the preventative maintenance of sealcoating more frequently. Overall, concrete’s material composition tends to be stronger and longer-lasting than asphalt’s, so it doesn’t require sealcoating at all.

Benefits of Sealcoating

From making your surface more attractive to the naked eye to saving you buckets of money in the long run, make no mistake: the benefits of sealcoating are vast and plenty.

Sealcoating is a Waterproofing Agent

Believe it or not, water can be an incredibly erosive substance, especially when it comes to your asphalt surface. After a while, rain and runoff will weaken the overall surface, causing harmful cracks, dips, and dents to form. Those will quickly get worse over time. The regular application of a seal coat or waterproofing agent will work wonders to protect your surface from the extensive damage water can bring.

Sealcoating Protects Surfaces From Weather Conditions

Asphalt’s buoyant consistency causes it to swell and warp in hot weather. The rigid structure of concrete is more vulnerable to cracking and breaking in cold climates. Seal coating provides a solution to both of those problems by offering an additional layer of protection against these harsh weather conditions.

Sealcoating Prevents Dangerous Potholes

Potholes are more than mere eyesores; they’re also dangerous. Not only can they impact the safety and trajectory of vehicles, but they make your surface exponentially more vulnerable. Sealcoat’s ability to act as a waterproofing agent prevents potholes from happening. It stops moisture from infiltrating your surface, the primary cause of potholes.

Sealcoating Prevents Oxidation and Erosion

Oxidation and erosion of the top layer of your surface occurs when it is being exposed to the elements for too long. These processes can cause extensive (and expensive) damage. Sealcoating’s protection helps your surface to resist oil, gas, salt, oxygen and other chemicals that will eventually cause a surface to deteriorate.

Sealcoating Makes Your Surface More Attractive

In addition to all of seal coating’s protective benefits, it also makes surfaces more aesthetically pleasing. Once it’s applied, your surface will look darker and more uniform, which will help your striping stand out. It further conceals any impurities, like cracks and stains.

Sealcoating Saves You Money

This just might be the most important benefit of all: sealcoating can save you a ton of money in the long run. Failure to apply a sealcoat means your surface will have a much shorter lifespan and will need to be replaced relatively quickly which, of course, is very costly.  A surface with a regularly reapplied sealcoat will significantly expand its lifespan.

Contractor’s Tip

It’s important to keep in mind that while sealcoating provides a series of benefits, it’s not magic by any means. The truth is, no matter how well maintained your surface is, it won’t last forever. However, getting your concrete or asphalt surface on a regular sealcoating schedule will go a long way to extend the lifespan of your asphalt. Regularly applied sealcoats and keep your surface looking professional and inviting for years to come.

If you’re ready to prolong the life of your asphalt surface, give us a call today. One of our professional paving specialists will assess your situation and provide you with a free, comprehensive estimate as well as a custom sealcoating schedule so that you can save time and money, and have an attractive, professional-looking surface well into the future.