While homeowners with asphalt driveways want to protect their investments, there is debate even among paving professionals about whether or not to seal your asphalt driveway with an asphalt sealcoating. Residential property owners looking to prolong the life of their driveway news to understand the factors that influence pavement longevity.

How to Best Protect Your Asphalt Driveway

Asphalt is made up of sand and gravel aggregates suspended in a mixture of petroleum products, which makes it perfect to bear the weight of vehicles but can also cause problems when aggregates are exposed. Moisture is also the enemy of asphalt paving when it soaks in and freezes, causing cracks and deterioration. While some argue that exposed aggregates aren’t a problem for asphalt pavement, professionals recommend applying an asphalt sealcoating. But homeowners may wonder, is an asphalt sealcoat worth it?

Benefits of Asphalt Sealcoating

• A sealcoat covers the top surface of an asphalt driveway or parking lot and seals out moisture so that cracks don’t form, but it also can fill in hairline cracks to keep them from getting larger.
• Exposed aggregates are still very durable, as they’re made from hard rocks, but they can still get damaged from the passage and weight of vehicles. A sealcoat provides a new, flexible surface.
• Oils from vehicles, UV rays, and severe weather can cause deterioration in asphalt binders, and a sealcoating protects against this type of damage.

Your Local Asphalt Sealcoating Experts

Ryan’s Asphalt & Concrete are the paving experts for the greater Detroit area and surrounding communities like Tayor, Michigan, and we have experience with all types of pavement maintenance, including sealcoating. Contact us today for a consultation about your pavement.