Rochester NY Sealcoating is a great way to extend the life of your asphalt at a fraction of the cost of full pavement replacement. It protects asphalt from water and harmful chemicals like motor oil and gasoline. It also helps prevent oxidation and provides a smooth surface that reduces slippage and liability.

Asphalt pavement is a mixture of sand and gravel aggregate held together with a petroleum-based binder. Over time, the sun’s harsh UV rays break down these carbon bonds, causing asphalt surfaces to fade and degrade. However, a properly applied seal coat acts as a protective barrier against this degradation. This helps the paving material retain its flexibility, resist weather damage and create a slip-resistant surface for the safety of visitors and customers.

In addition, a seal coat’s ingredients erect an impenetrable rampart against water intrusion. This is the enemy that sparks the genesis of cracks and potholes. As it seeks to invade the paved surface, water can freeze and expand, inflicting substantial damage. Sealcoating obstructs this infiltration, prolonging the asphalt’s lifespan.

The ingredients of a sealcoat also enlist a slew of defensive weapons, such as fillers, oils and polymers. These ingredients amplify the coating’s robustness, allowing it to resist temperature fluctuations and the strains of traffic. Polymers, in particular, confer a remarkable degree of durability. Aside from bolstering the coating’s tensile strength, they also add to its resistance to oil and chemical penetration.

Coal tar is another vital ingredient that bolsters the coating’s abrasion-resistance and staves off UV degradation. This material is a byproduct of the distillation of bituminous coal. Other additives include surfactants and admixtures that help the sealcoat dry quickly, alter the sand’s suspension and increase its fluidity, and impart a slick texture to the coating.

Depending on your needs and location, you may also consider acrylic sealers. These non-petroleum-based coatings are favored for their swift drying properties and unmatched resistance to UV rays. They can also resist chemicals, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.

Aside from enhancing the aesthetics of your parking lot, a well-applied sealcoat can protect it against costly repair projects. Aside from addressing existing cracks and potholes, it helps reduce wear caused by rain, sunlight, snow and ice as well as the freezing temperatures of winter. Investing in this preventative measure saves you thousands of dollars in future repairs and maintenance costs. In addition, it preserves the value of your property and enhances the curb appeal of your business or residential driveway.

Durability

Sealcoating offers a layer of protection that blocks harmful UV rays, cold weather conditions and automotive fluids. These elements would otherwise damage and degrade asphalt pavement over time. By filling cracks and forming a protective barrier, sealcoating extends the life of blacktop pavement and protects your investment.

In addition to extending the lifespan of your parking lot or driveway, regular sealcoating also adds traction. This is accomplished by adding texture to the sealcoating that increases surface friction. Moreover, the cover aggregate helps to prevent the wear of fine material from the pavement surface, which is commonly referred to as raveling.

Using an additive to help the sealcoating dry uniformly is another way to improve its durability. This will help eliminate graying, which occurs when the sealcoating dries under less than ideal conditions. This can include shaded areas, cooler temperatures and high humidity. Often, this can be corrected by applying a second coat of sealcoating under optimal drying conditions.

While concrete surfaces typically outlive those made of asphalt, the attrition and environmental influences on both types of pavement require consistent upkeep, including periodic reapplication of seal coatings. If you are a property manager, facility director or homeowner on Long Island, it is advisable to schedule regular sealcoating services to maintain your asphalt pavement and extend its life.

Before a professional can apply the sealcoat, it is important to ensure the pavement surface is clean and free of any debris or dirt. This includes loose materials, grease and oil spots, and raised markings used to mark lane lines or designated parking spaces. If you are interested in doing this project yourself, a rotary broom works well for cleaning asphalt.

A common misconception is that a sealcoat will protect your driveway from cracking. However, if the cracks have already formed, a sealcoat will only make the cracks appear bigger and more noticeable. It is best to repair cracked asphalt pavement before applying a sealcoat, as this will save you money in the long run. In addition, if you do choose to apply the sealcoat yourself, it is important to read the label carefully and follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions for application.

Aesthetics

When it comes to protecting asphalt pavement, sealcoating is a powerful tool, but it also offers a number of aesthetic benefits. Its unmistakable jet-black appearance gives pavement a rich, new look that increases its curb appeal and contributes to the overall aesthetic of a property. When topped off with fresh pavement striping, the result is a well-maintained, professional look that reflects your commitment to property maintenance and care.

If you’re ready to start your own sealcoating business, the first step is to determine your target market. Your market may be residential, commercial or public customers, or a combination of all three. Once you know who your customer base is, you’ll need to establish what type of services to offer them and how much it will cost you to provide these services.

Once you have an idea of who your customers are, the next step is to register your business with the appropriate authorities. This will vary depending on your jurisdiction, but it’s important to register your business so that you can get a tax ID number and be considered a legitimate business entity.

In addition to registration, you’ll also need to acquire licenses and permits as required by your jurisdiction. These may include a business license, a spraying permit or both, and insurance coverage. Lastly, you’ll need to acquire the right equipment and supplies to perform your services. This will include a sprayer, buckets of hot water and/or cold water, cleaning tools, gloves and safety gear.

Before you begin applying the sealcoat, it’s important to block off the area to be sealed. This is to prevent the spread of sealcoat into areas where it’s not intended and to ensure that nothing gets in the way of the application process. For instance, if you’re sealing a parking lot, it’s best to have the sprinkler system turned off for the duration of the process.

There are a few different types of sealcoat available, each with its own unique set of properties and benefits. For example, refined coal tar is a highly effective option that provides superior resistance to UV sun rays, harsh weather elements and petroleum-based products. On the other hand, water-based acrylics are a more environmentally-friendly alternative to coal tar sealants, but they may not be as effective at filling cracks and voids.

Safety

Asphalt is a highly porous material that quickly deteriorates when left unprotected. Sealcoating stops the damaging effects of water, sun, oil and chemicals on asphalt surfaces. It also prevents cracking and fading. A well-applied asphalt sealcoat creates a tough, protective skin that keeps your parking lot looking new while protecting the underlying asphalt from damage.

The coal tar sealcoat used in many asphalt parking lots and driveways in North America contains carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). When workers apply this product on a regular basis, it can cause health problems including cancer, lung disease and other respiratory issues. Coal tar-based sealcoats can also pollute the environment, as they erode and wash off of surfaces into storm drains, where they are carried into lakes and streams. The PAHs then enter the aquatic food chain, harming fish and other wildlife. The city of Austin, Texas banned the use of coal tar sealcoats to protect its lakes and streams.

Another problem with the coal tar sealcoat is that it emits toxic fumes during application and can cause irritation to eyes, throat and lungs. Refined tar-based sealcoats contain fewer fumes and do not pose a significant threat to the health of applicators or the public.

Safety is a major concern for asphalt maintenance workers as they work on a large scale and handle hazardous materials. To avoid injury, workers must be properly trained and follow strict safety practices when working with sealcoats and crack fillers. They must wear proper attire, which includes long pants and closed-toe shoes as well as a face mask if necessary. They should also bring a portable eye flush kit in case of any accidental contact with liquid crack filler or sealcoat.

To get the best results from sealcoating, the surface must be free of any dirt or debris. If a worker encounters any of these, they must sweep the area and remove it before proceeding with the sealing process. Workers should also be aware that the ideal air temperatures for applying sealcoat are between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is too hot, the seal coat will dry too quickly and could peel or flake off.