Just like UV rays cause sunburn, they can also weaken the chemical bonds in your asphalt driveway. The best way to prevent cracks and potholes is to invest in asphalt driveway sealcoating.
Sealcoating protects your driveway from the elements, as well as automobile fluids. Our driveway pavers recommend sealcoating to help your driveway last up to 20 years.
Asphalt sealcoating protects your driveway by:
- Retaining moisture so asphalt doesn’t deteriorate
- Blocking UV rays that fade asphalt
- Blocking automobile fluids that soften asphalt
- Restoring the rich black color of asphalt
- Filling small voids to help pavement look even
High Temperatures
Asphalt can reach temperatures up to 143 degrees Fahrenheit when the air temperature is 87 degrees. At 131 degrees you can literally fry an egg on your asphalt driveway.
Asphalt retains heat, which only gets worse as temperature and sun exposure increases. Fortunately, we provide services for asphalt sealcoating to protect your driveway from the summer heat.
Just like you wear sunscreen to avoid being burned, your asphalt driveway also needs a protective layer against the sun—sealcoating. As your local asphalt contractor, we can do sealcoating as long as weather conditions permit.
Even the best driveway sealer will fail if installed in temperatures below 50 degrees, which is why it’s important to get sealcoating done during the summer.
Related:When’s the Earliest I Can Start Driveway Sealcoating?
Cracks and Potholes
Asphalt expands and contracts with fluctuating temperatures. When it’s hot outside, the asphalt expands. This can be an issue if you haven’t repaired cracks and potholes. As the sun scorches your , the pavement weakens and becomes more vulnerable to damage. UV rays can be just as harmful as snow and ice when underestimated.
We recommend scheduling asphalt driveway repair before the weather cools. Once we get into fall, we won’t be able to repair driveways with hot-mix asphalt. By then, the freeze-thaw cycles could be enough to let water seep into the foundation to cause permanent damage.
Faded Color
restores that rich black color your driveway had when it was new. Just like UV rays can fade the paint on your car or house, it can also fade your driveway. Faded asphalt affects more than just curb appeal. It can also be a sign that your driveway is starting to weaken and deteriorate. Fortunately, we offer sealcoating to help your pavement last as long as possible.
Oxidation
Imagine a peeled apple sitting on your kitchen counter. Over time, the apple turns brown the longer it’s exposed to oxygen. This process is called oxidation. Just like how an apple starts to break down once exposed to the air, so does your asphalt driveway.
The older your driveway, the more stiff and brittle the pavement. But you can help slow the damaging effects of oxidation through sealcoating.
Request a Free Estimate With Us
As your local asphalt company serving Grand Rapids, MI, we work hard to earn your business. Whether you’re interested in driveway crack repair or asphalt sealcoating, you can count on our expertise. To request a free estimate for any of our services, call A-1 Asphalt, Inc. at (800) 871-4401.
This blog post has been updated.