Understanding Asphalt Maintenance: Repairs and Sealcoating for Long-Lasting Surfaces

Asphalt

Asphalt is amongst the most commonly used materials for paving driveways, parking lots, and roads. Since it is a long-lived material, it is possible to wear out through the operation due to natural conditions, intense use, and aging. Sometimes cracks, potholes and other surface defects may occur making it necessary to make the necessary repairs and maintenance. 

Asphalt maintenance involves both repairing various areas that are damaged and applying a seal coat on the surface to prevent further wearing. In this article, you will learn the need for asphalt repairs and why residential asphalt sealcoating is essential to maintaining your paved surfaces. To learn more, keep reading.

The Importance of Asphalt Repairing

First of all, asphalt repairing is an important aspect that is needed for the strength and safety of the driveways, parking lots, and any other paved parking area. Defects such as cracking, raveling, and formation of potholes, dip, and depression could occur as a result of freezing, thawing, infiltration of water, and rutting from heavy vehicle loads. 

Such damage may be of little significance initially but they may ferment into worse ones that would be costly to fix later. Daily maintenance of these roads is important to ensure a longer life of the asphalt and to avoid the deterioration of more areas since small problems need instantaneous repair. 

Asphalt repair means fixing cracks and the use of specific materials to cover up any holes that may be in the surface. If the affected area is relatively large it will be necessary to resurface the area. Through timely repairs, property owners can preserve the beauty of the asphalt surfaces as well as avoid the possibility of causing harm to individuals on foot or in cars.

Types of Asphalt Repairs for Common Issues

There are several methods for repairing damaged asphalt, and the right one depends on the extent of the damage: 

  • Crack Sealing: This process entails the use of sealants that are specially designed to seal small to medium cracks and subsequently seal water from penetrating the crack thus worsening the situation. It is pocket-friendly, especially when used to address small problems that may develop into major ones in the future.
  • Pothole Repair: Some of the common repair methods for potholes include the one where the affected area is covered with hot or cold mix asphalt and afterward, is compacted to fit the surrounding potholes.
  • Resurfacing: If the surface damage is significant but the base remains strong, resurfacing (overlaying) extends a new, durable layer of asphalt over the existing pavements without removal of the pavement.

Benefits of Residential Asphalt Sealcoating Services

It is crucial to note that the target market for residential asphalt sealcoating services is both commercial and individual homeowners. Asphalt seals are applied on layers over the asphalt surfaces of driveways, parking lots, and other paved areas to protect the surfaces against damage from water and oils. UV rays, moisture, and oil or grease damage in the long run. 

If a seal coat is applied periodically for between two to three years, the homeowner will preserve the asphalt and at the same time improve its aesthetic appeal. In addition to this, seal coating brings the appeal of black lanes as opposed to the brown or gray-colored pavement which improves the overall street view. For homeowners, it is necessary to take care of the residential aspect of the driveway which is particularly important in wet or cold climates.