Regularly sealing your driveway is one of the simplest methods to ensure it lasts for many years. An asphalt driveway is a great option for any house because of its durability and low maintenance requirements. However, they also need some extra care to ensure they continue to appear and work well.
Asphalt driveways need regular sealing to prevent cracking and degradation; therefore, it’s crucial to know how frequently to do it and how often to seal it. If you have an asphalt driveway, here is some information on how frequently you should seal it.
Why Asphalt Driveway Needs Sealing
Seeing a freshly paved driveway is one of life’s greatest gratifications. Cracks and oil leaks may form after years of exposure to the sun’s UV rays, rain, snow, subfreezing temperatures, road salts, and many drivers.
Maintaining the advantages of asphalt in your driveway requires regular asphalt sealing. A sealant is applied to your driveway to fill up any gaps in the surface. This maintenance procedure is essential to prevent the base and sublayers of asphalt pavement from being damaged by weather or wear and tear.
How Often Does Asphalt Need Sealing?
Putting a sealant on asphalt every three to five years is recommended by paving specialists. However, it would be best to wait ninety days to a year after laying a new asphalt driveway before sealing it. A danger of sealing damage to the asphalt exists if it is applied prematurely. When the sealant is used on asphalt too soon, it may trap dirt and oil inside the pavement. As a result, the asphalt may become pliable and easily damaged.
Other, more significant criteria determine how frequently you should seal asphalt, which is another reality. The two most crucial factors are weather and traffic.
Climate
How frequently your asphalt will need to be sealed depends greatly on the local climate. It is unlikely that your asphalt will require a fresh layer of sealant for at least three years if you live in a region that does not experience extremes of heat and cold. Asphalt sealing should be done every year or two, at the absolute least, in areas with extreme seasonal temperature swings.
It would be best to realize that the outside temperature must be between 10 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Sealing asphalt should only be done after there has been no rain for at least two days. Dry conditions are crucial for the optimal adherence of the seal on your asphalt pavement.
Traffic
The volume of vehicle traffic in each driveway varies. Asphalt may take a lot of punishment over the years, especially if you’re fond of utilizing it as a foundation for mechanic work. Even riding bikes, skating, or performing other recreational activities on it may add to the wear and strain of your asphalt.
That’s why it’s vital to examine the surface periodically. If you find cracks, they might likely benefit from a good seal. Noticing these deterioration indicators at an early stage, when resealing is simple and fast, is crucial. The longer you go without evaluating or correcting damage, the more you risk developing huge cracks and potholes that are more difficult to repair.
The frequency with which you should seal coat your asphalt is influenced by many elements, not only weather and traffic patterns. They include the quality of pavement sealer, the mix design of the sealer, the number of coats, and the number of materials used.
That’s why it’s recommended to have your driveway resealed every three to five years. While some homeowners may be tempted to seal their driveway annually, doing so might lead to increased cracking and peeling of the seal coat in the long run.
There are many outwardly visible indicators that it is time to seal your driveway. Multiple tiny cracks or a worn, gray appearance in the asphalt are signs that it needs to be resealed. The seal coat will fill any little gaps and restore the driveway’s original glossy sheen. However, bigger fractures should be repaired before resealing is attempted.
How Long Does It Take to Seal a Driveway
Two or three days to a week will likely be needed to properly seal your driveway. The preparation work, which includes a thorough cleaning of the driveway, clipping of tall grass along the road’s margins, filling cracks, and mixing the sealant, takes approximately a day by itself.
If you want the best possible pavement maintenance plan for your asphalt driveway, consult the experts in the paving industry. It is advised to seal coat the driveway or parking lot of your business or house every three years to keep the pavement in good condition and improve the appearance of the outside. Contact A-Rock Asphalt Services now to learn more.