Why is asphalt sealcoating important?
Have you started to notice cracks or breaks within the asphalt? Maybe some are bigger then others, but all cracks eventually end up continuing to grow and expand. Its always better to take care of the problem sooner than later. Waiting to solve the problem will only increase the amount of work needed for repair as well as the cost goes up. Asphalt maintaince is an inexpensive method to not only maintain but to protect your driveway for many years to come.
Our Asphalt maintenance service offers the most important maintenance to your driveway. From filling in any size cracks up to 1 inch thick with the best cold and or hot crack filler on the market depending on your budget. Anything over an inch thick we fill cracks with a very durable cold asphalt application, followed by the crack filler to insure the best possible adhesion between the asphalt. That way we can help reduce any cracks from reappear. After crack fill application is complete we finish off the driveway with some of the best sealer for residential/ commercial driveways there is. Leaving your driveway looking just as well as when it was first laid down. The sealer will protect your driveway from erosion, oil stains, mother nature and much more giving you results for years to come.
Oxidation of the asphalt
Asphalt just like anything else ages over time and begins to fade and break down. From the moment that your driveway is being laid, the oxidation process has already started the moment that oxygen became in contact. Eventually leading to discoloration, deterioration of the asphalt. The Pavement loses it elastic properties as well as becomes stiff and brittle.
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Cold and Hot Pour Crack Filler:
Thin or hair line cracks as we call them are easy to fill, We can resolve the issue before they have time expand and grow. We use a commercial grade hot pour crack filler, or residential cold pour crack filler as a more cost effective method. We highly recommend the commercial grade for a better adhesion between the crack filler and asphalt. Cold Crack filler is only intended for cracks up to half an inch or smaller. On the other hand Hot pour crack filler is intended for cracks up to an inch. These types of cracks are easily repairable and very cost effective.
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Cold Asphalt Patch:
Cracks that are greater than an inch generally need another product to fill in the void within the cracks. Common products used to repair this include cold asphalt patch, which is similar to the Hot asphalt used to make your driveway. Another method included using Joint filler strips. Joint filler strips are sealant strip that require being heated with a torch to a temperature allowing the strip to melt and flow into the crack, as it dries and hardens filling in any space below the asphalt giving a better base for use of hot pour crack filler combining both products for a better and more protected sealant. Overall these products will have a great impact in helping your driveway last longer.
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Alligator and Spider web cracks
Alligator crack ( known for the similar look to the scales on the back of an alligator ) Spider web cracks ( know for the web like features ) are both side of failure within the foundation or the base of the asphalt which consist of gravel. Once water starts to make its way down a hair line crack that has been left untreated it will start to break down and erode the base gravel. The layer of asphalt over top begins to sink causing the asphalt to start breaking down creating alligator and spider web cracks which eventually lead to it becoming a pot hole once both the asphalt and gravel have disintegrated. Potential signs to look for are depressions within the driveway, and lose gravel. Product to help with these situation are not permanent but a temporary fix. Thus allowing you to find time and money to correct the solution by repaving the driveway if most has begone to break down, and or to patch that particular spot if only a section was damaged.
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So why should you sealcoating and crackfill your driveway?
Just by adding crack filler and maintaining your driveway roughly every other year can help hold your driveway together avoiding cracks, alligator patches, potholes, and depressions on your driveway from reoccurring.
Once the cracks along your driveway have been dealt with your next step is to apply a protective layer over your driveway with a product call Asphalt sealer. Sealcoating provides a barrier against all element, wear and tear, freezing temperatures and rain. Vehicle leaks such as oil, gas, anti freeze that can seriously damage and deteriorate your asphalt. When an old driveway that is worn down and oxidized gets sealcoating the original black color comes back to life. You will no longer have a faded grey driveway but a new black coat of asphalt that looks as if the driveway itself was repaved. It is recommend to sealcoat your drive way every 2 years or as needed. Always allow a minimum of 24 hours after sealcoating to allow the product to completely dry for best results.
Some jobs with a general amount of crack filler needed and sealer will be completed during a 2 day process. The first day for crack filling, allowing all material to sink so that on the second day before any sealer is added. All unfilled cracks can be refilled and topped off for the best guaranteed results.