Welcome back to the Sunrise Asphalt blog! This month we’ve been talking about what you can do to help your asphalt surfaces stay in top condition this summer. One of those we mentioned was sealcoating. This time on the blog we are going to focus on answering that question filling up Google search boxes everywhere, ‘What is sealcoating a driveway?’
What Is Sealcoating a Driveway?
Let’s break this down a bit further, because sealcoating a driveway is simple enough to understand. Sealcoating a driveway is the act of applying a sealcoat to a driveway surface- bing, bang, boom. The real meat of this question is about sealcoats and why you would apply it to a driveway in the first place.
What is sealcoating?
Sealcoating is, essentially, applying a protective covering to asphalt pavement to protect it from water, the sun, and gasoline/oils. Sealcoats are made up of either tar, asphalt, or petroleum-based mixtures and each has their own individual advantages, and companies use whichever they personally prefer.
At Sunrise Asphalt we only use SealMaster sealcoating. We only use SealMaster not only because it is a well know and reputable company and product with locations all over the United States but also because they have a location in Phoenix and a sub-station in Tucson. Having the source of our sealcoat so close at hand ensures quality control, not to mention they also understand the weather conditions in which the sealer is being applied in the Arizona climate making it the best to use on all of our Tucson projects.
How to Sealcoat a Driveway?
Sealcoating is easy peasy, lemon squeezy! First thing first, you clean the area to be sealed. That mean trimming back plants, removing dirt and debris from the surface, and thoroughly cleaning the asphalt to remove any oil spots or spills. Anything that could sit between the surface the sealcoat will degrade the sealcoats ability to adhere to the surface.
Clear our and fill cracks where necessary. Just like debris on the surface, these weaknesses and imperfections in the asphalt surface will reduce the effectiveness of the sealcoating. Repair the asphalt and let it set then you can finally move on to that critical step.
When everything is prepared, repaired, and good to go you can start the application process. Apply the sealcoat using pressurized spraying equipment or by hand using squeegees Let it set and you’re good to go!
Why Sealcoat?
That might sound like a big of extra work and you may be wondering if its really worth all that hassle? Well, here are a few of the benefits to sealcoating a driveway. Sealcoats add a layer of protection from the elements, helping to prevent every day use and adverse weather conditions from loosening up and chipping away at the top layer of the asphalt (which will go on to cause potholes when left unchecked).
If the structural benefits aren’t enough for you, it also leaves a smooth jet black finish that makes that pavement look great.
Is it worth it? You be the judge!
Ready to get sealcoating a driveway? Give Sunrise Asphalt a call, we are the Tucson sealcoating experts! Together we can ensure that your driveway is the smoothest surface, the most structurally sound and stays that way for as long as possible!
