|
Sealcoating can add years of life to asphalt. This is something that businesses and residents alike should consider, especially when looking to have a first-time driveway or parking lot laid down at home or for a small business. Because asphalt is a petroleum-based product, other forms of petroleum, such as gasoline or oil, will react with asphalt by breaking down the components at a biochemical level. This makes sealcoating one of the most important parts of having a properly paved driveway or parking place. Sealcoating will help prevent oil and petroleum from breaking down the asphalt, ultimately adding years of life to the pavement. Subsequently, annual sealcoating can only extend the longevity of the driveway or parking area. But vehicle traffic is not the only thing to consider when paving your driveway or parking lot. Weather is a big contributor to how asphalt breaks down over time. Oxidation, in particular, occurs when oxygen reacts with the asphalt. Because oxidation occurs as soon as the process of paving begins, oxidation is ultimately impossible to avoid. This is one of the reasons why proper protection is crucial for the concrete: proper sealing and annual upkeep will help slow the process of oxidation. The oxidation causes the molecules to shift, eventually making the pavement stiffer. When pavement stiffens, it then becomes brittle and is more likely to crack and fail. Introducing a proper sealcoat to the pavement will drastically reduce the oxidation process, allowing the pavement to retain its elasticity for a longer period. During the winter months, water will seep through the cracks during a heavy rain or snowfall. When this occurs, any change in temperature will cause the water in the pavement to freeze over and expand. This expansion will then cause the pavement to crack. A proper sealant applied over the driveway or parking lot can help to deter this problem. As for warmer climates, sunlight and heat will dry out the concrete, making it brittle. When asphalt is first laid down, it has a dense black color. When years of weather erodes the concrete, it becomes a lighter grey color, signifying that it has become more brittle. A dark-colored road is the sign of a well-kept, newly treated paving job. To conclude, areas that experience extreme cold during the winter followed by intense heat during the summer will experience a drastic deterioration of the roadways, driveways, and parking lots. Business owners who are looking to have a newly paved parking lot should consider what proper upkeep is essential for extending the life of the lots. The same is true for homeowners who wish to invest in the life and quality of their home. A proper sealcoating job will add many years to the life of the asphalt. When in need of quality paving, West Roxbury residents visit Bannon Paving. Learn more at http://www.bannonpaving.com/.
Related Articles -
paving, west, roxbury,
|
