Asphalt pavements are fast and economical to install, but it is not something that most people want to undertake any more often than is absolutely necessary. A routine maintenance program can help your pavement have the longest life possible, look its best, and need fewer major repairs. When you create your pavement maintenance plan, asphalt sealcoating services should be at the top of your list.
What Is Asphalt Sealcoating?
Sealcoating, also known as asphalt sealer or sealant, is a coating that is applied periodically over an asphalt pavement for both protection and aesthetics. Asphalt sealcoating companies that manufacture the products used by sealcoating contractors typically ship their sealants as a powdered concentrate. Houston asphalt sealcoating companies then prepare a mix containing the concentrate, water, and sand to create a liquid for application. As the liquid asphalt sealcoating cures, it adheres to the pavement, creating a strong, tough shell over it.What Are the Benefits of Asphalt Sealcoating in Houston?
Houston asphalt sealcoating provides a number of benefits that can affect the health, aesthetics, and safety of your pavement.- Routine applications by an experienced, trustworthy asphalt sealcoating company can help you reduce the lifetime cost of your pavement. Houston asphalt sealcoating blocks UV rays that turn asphalt pavements dry, brittle, and more vulnerable to damage. Asphalt sealcoating in Houston also helps prevent vehicle fluids from interacting with and deteriorating the binder holding your pavement together. Your pavement will need fewer repairs, and any repairs needed will typically be less expensive.
- Asphalt sealer can also enhance the appearance of your pavement. In addition to drying out asphalt pavements, UV rays also rob them of their luxurious color. Pavements fade from black to gray or brown, giving it an unsightly appearance. Asphalt sealcoating in Houston can also improve a pavement’s aesthetics by concealing minor flaws, making the surface appear smoother and more even.
- Trustworthy Houston asphalt sealcoating companies always include the right amount of sand in their sealcoating mixes. Sand helps improve the pavement’s traction, thereby enhancing its safety.
How Often Should I Apply Asphalt Sealcoating in Houston?
Asphalt sealcoating companies evaluate a number of factors before recommending a schedule. Some factors that an asphalt sealcoating company will consider include the pavement’s age, current condition, usage, and maintenance history.- Typically, asphalt sealcoating companies recommend waiting until a new pavement has eliminated its excess oil. Depending on the weather at the time of installation, you could be waiting from two to eight months for your initial application. However, you should never wait longer than one year for your first Houston asphalt sealcoating application.
- An asphalt sealcoating company will normally recommend a fresh application of asphalt sealer every two years for parking lots receiving average traffic. However, some lightly used parking lots may only require Houston asphalt sealcoating every three to four years. On the other hand, parking lots that receive a high volume of traffic may need asphalt sealcoating in Houston every 18 months. If only specific areas of pavement are subjected to heavy traffic, most Houston asphalt sealcoating companies can apply asphalt sealer to just those areas.
