What is Asphalt?
Asphalt is a strong durable product that can last for years if properly maintained. Asphalt is petroleum based and consists of rock or aggregate, rock dust or “fines”, all bound together by hot emulsified oils. These are the primary ingredients (there are a few others) this definition is overly simple.
Maintenance is Key
As the sun and heat will cause your asphalt to oxidize and become brittle, the asphalt binder breaks down. This process causes the asphalt to shrink and lose flexibility. The shrinkage results in cracks. Many times the cracks first show up in the low traffic areas. Water enters the base and sub-grade through these cracks. This causes the base and sub-grade to become weaker. Unless this process is slowed, base failure and failure of the asphalt surface will result. In many cases, damage in low traffic areas is caused because the asphalt dries out, not because it wears out.
There are other factors that cause deterioration, but these are the primary ones.
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Seal Coating
When it comes to protecting your asphalt pavements against deterioration. There is no greater value than a correctly applied or mixed coal tar emulsion. Sealcoating substantially reduces maintenance costs and at the same time extends the life of asphalt pavements by as much as 300%. The cost of sealcoating is truly a minor expense when compared to the cost of pavement replacement.
Benefits of sealcoating:
Stops Oxidation
Actinic rays in sunlight can oxidize the Asphalt oils in pavement, causing brittleness and resulting loss of aggregates which may rob up to 50% of the original asphalt thickness in just five years. A pavement sealcoated will resist oxidative degradation and retain its value.
Reduces Costs and Increases Value
The intrusion of moisture into asphalt pavement structure accelerates it deterioration and is strongly related to pavement distress. The sealing of well-cured asphalt prevents the seepage of moisture from snow and rain, thus preventing damage from freeze-thaw cycles.
Resists Fuel Penetration
Resists gas, oil, salt and chemical penetration. Asphalt is a petroleum derivative, soluble in distillates such as gas, jet fuel and oil drippings. Sealcoating prevents damage from distillates and chemicals.
Prevents Water Penetration
The intrusion of moisture into asphalt pavement structure accelerates its deterioration and is strongly related to pavement distress. The sealing of well-cured asphalt prevents the seepage of moisture from snow and rain, thus preventing damage from freeze-thaw cycles.
Protection
We only use the best refined coal tar sealer that is specifically designed to protect bituminous pavements. Composed of high temperature refined coal tar pitch, select mineral fillers and surfactants, it forms a tough, durable and flexible coating that protects asphalt pavements from the damaging elements of weather, water, salts, gas and other petro-chemicals.
Application
Asphalt sealer must be applied to structurally sound pavements by experienced applicators. Asphalt pavement should be protected by two coats; however, the quantities and coverage rates must conform to manufacturer's detailed specifications.