Whether it is in front of your home or surrounding your business, your asphalt surfaces are an investment. They can last years and even decades with the proper maintenance. This is especially true in the winter when the freeze-thaw cycle can turn hairline fractures into huge cracks and potholes. If you have any pavement around your home or business that hasn’t been sealcoated in the last two or three years, now is the time to think about doing it.
What Is Sealcoating?
Sealcoating is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a coating that seals the surface of the pavement. When it is applied correctly, it can help keep the pavement from cracking. It can even help to hide small cracks and seal them against water in the winter. This is important because water that gets down into small cracks in the winter can freeze and expand. When it does, it expands and can push the crack open wider. Adding sealcoating is an important preventative measure, like painting or staining the wood of your home.
When Should You Do It?
Generally, sealcoating should be applied to new pavement and then reapplied as needed. Applying it to already damaged pavement won’t be as effective in prolonging the life of the surface. If your paved surfaces are already damaged, you will need to repair them first. Aside from that, sealcoating is usually applied in the late spring, summer, or early fall. It needs to be applied in temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It absolutely cannot be applied if temperatures will drop below 40 degrees overnight. Since sealcoating is especially important in protecting against the harshness of winter, fall is the most popular time to sealcoat. This also means that companies tend to be very busy during that time of year. If you think your pavement is going to need sealcoating this year, consider beating the rush and getting it done this spring. If the wither weather has already done some damage, the spring is also a great time to get that damage repaired.
What Are The Options?
There are two major types of sealcoating: coal tar emulsion and asphalt emulsion. Coal tar emulsion is very durable for high-traffic areas. It only needs to be reapplied about every three years. Asphalt emulsion is more environmentally friendly, but it may need to be applied every two years or so. If you’re applying sealcoat in the late fall, coal tar emulsion may be the better bet, since temperatures may be lower.
Contact M&D Paving Today!
Are you ready to start your next paving project? If you want professionals you can trust for high-quality concrete or asphalt paving, look no further than M&D Paving, Inc. We are a third-generation, family-owned and operated asphalt paving company serving the Maryland area. With over 35 years of experience, we are a licensed, bonded, and insured MHIC member. Contact us online or give us a call at (443)-820-3057 to get a free estimate today.
