Three Of Your Pavement Sealcoat Questions Answered
A driveway can suffer numerous forms of damage due to being exposed to the elements, and many homeowners overlook the simple step that they can take to protect the driveway against this type of wear and tear. To this end, applying a sealcoat can be an excellent way to protect your driveway against the damages that can be caused by prolonged moisture exposure. Once you have the answers to several frequently asked sealcoating questions, you should find yourself in a stronger position to care for your property.
What Happens To A Driveway That Does Not Have A Sealcoat?
Pavement has a porous surface, which can make it possible for moisture to get inside the pavement. As the temperature changes, the volume of the water will increase and decrease, which places pressure on the pavement. Eventually, the pavement will develop deep cracks that will let more water into it, and this will further exacerbate the problem. Sealcoats protect against this type of damage by creating a waterproof layer that will close these pores.
How Long Will The Sealcoat Need To Dry?
After a sealcoat has been applied to the pavement, you will want to avoid using it until it has ample time to dry. If you drive or walk on the pavement when the sealcoat is still wet, you may remove some of it, which will compromise the protection it provides your driveway. Avoiding this problem will require you to avoid using the driveway for at least two days after the sealcoat has been applied. While the sealcoat may seem like it is dry before this time, it may be slightly tacky, which will allow it to be removed by sticking to the tires of any cars that drive over it. While waiting for the sealcoat to fully dry may seem excessive, it will be a minor inconvenience for ensuring that your driveway is as protected as possible against the elements.
Will Vehicle Oil Damage The Sealcoat?
Oil and other fluids can be prone to leak out of cars, and while this might not seem like it would be a major issue for pavement, these fluids can actually cause rather serious damage to it. This occurs because these substances will gradually wear away the sealcoat and seep into the pavement. The acidic nature of these fluids can cause them to weaken the pavement. Preventing this type of damage from occurring will require you to rinse your driveway every few weeks. Luckily, this does not require any special steps as you can simply use a garden hose to spray down the pavement.
Contact a paving company like Premier Asphalt Paving CO for more information.