All of the Benefits of Sealcoating Asphalt Pavement

Here's why that driveway sealer project shouldn't be at the bottom of your to-do list.

For new homeowners who aren't familiar, sealcoat (or pavement sealer) is a liquid coating mixture that's usually applied to asphalt-based pavement. When moving into your new house, fixing the driveway might not be high on your list of priorities. In fact, you might even be asking yourself: Is sealcoating really necessary for my home?

If you’ve made an investment by purchasing a house, you want to take great care of it, right? You spend hours picking the perfect colors to match your sheets, and every Sunday you bring out the vacuum to suck dirt and debris. You might even spend money trimming your trees and bushes to keep them looking lovely.

When you think about it, your driveway takes up much of your front yard. A cracked, dirty, and faded driveway just doesn’t match with clean, polished cars. Here are some reasons why you should invest in a sealcoat for your driveway.

1. Maintain its Appearance
Your driveway takes up space. It’s where cars are parked and where children play during the sweltering summer months. If it isn’t well-maintained, it can have a detrimental effect on your house’s appearance. Asphalt driveways are prone to cracking, fading, and other signs of distress. It doesn’t look good to anyone! Cracks in the asphalt can even lead to accidents.

A sealcoat sits on top of a driveway and acts as a barrier for it. Its deep black color looks regal and strong. The coat prevents water, car fluids, water, the sun, salt, and other chemicals from warping the color or eating away at the driveway. And a sealcoat will prevent weeds from growing in the asphalt. That means no more getting down on hands and knees just to clean those irritating weeds!

New sealcoat, when applied, looks bold and dark. It improves the appearance of both new and old asphalt, adding a pop of vibrancy to your house that you may not have expected.

2. Prevent Cracks
Sometimes, your new home comes with cracks in the pavement. You might be inclined to think, “Well, the previous owner seemed just fine with these cracks. The driveway looks good enough.” Don’t settle for mediocrity—you deserve the best!

Water that seeps into the base material can cause small cracks to widen. Sealcoating your driveway properly will prevent that. Any minor cracks and rough patches can be smoothed over, and if there's any dirt on your driveway, the rain can easily wash it away. That's because sealcoat is a non-porous, smooth surface.

3. Protect the Asphalt
The sun can burn our skin, but did you know it can also harm your driveway? Surface voids on asphalt can absorb oxygen and UV rays. The radiation from the sun can warp the asphalt and cause the color to fade quickly. On top of that, pockets of surface void allow oil or gas to penetrate.

Chemical spills can also worsen your driveway's condition. With a thick layer of sealcoat, you'll be able to prevent (or at the very least, minimize) the harmful effects of spills and the sun. By lowering the rate of water absorption (the water will run right off), sealcoating minimizes the risks of damage due to water, snow, and freezing. There are many things that can destroy your driveway: gas, diesel fuel, salt, chemicals, oil, and ice. It's better to prevent these from attacking your driveway so that you won't have to risk costly damage control.

4. It's Strong
Sealcoat helps attract heat from sunlight and becomes more pliable when hot. Instead of the asphalt cracking at high temperatures, the sealcoat will mold to shape. If you have guests over, the asphalt won’t waver under the combined weight of the cars. That’s because the sealcoat will be there to protect it.

5. It Saves Money
Sealcoating can be done as a weekend DIY project, or you can hire someone to do it for you. A DIY sealcoat project should cost about $50 to $200. It all depends on the size of your driveway. On the other hand, hiring a professional is probably safer. It would cost about $200 to $500. If you choose to hire a company or a person, you can be assured that they'll be more familiar with good products. Different products work better in certain areas (because of the temperature and climate), and a professional will know which sealants are best avoided.

Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire someone else, sealcoating your driveway is far cheaper than spending hundreds of dollars trying to repair or even replace your driveway's asphalt!

If you allow moisture to seep into the driveway, you might not notice at first. But after weeks, the quickened deterioration will begin to show as your asphalt becomes more and more distressed. It’s much easier to prevent the issues instead of scrambling to find someone who can quickly fix the asphalt! Just make sure that you wait 90 days after setting a new asphalt driveway to apply the sealcoat.

Article Source: https://housetipster.com/housetips/1151/5-benefits-of-sealcoating-asphalt-pavement

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEALCOATING A DRIVEWAY

What is the importance of sealcoating a driveway? Sealcoating prolongs the life expectancy of your pavement assets by providing a protective layer to protect it from the weather, traffic, and fuel spillage. The low cost of regular sealcoating can save you money in the long run and a properly maintained and sealed asphalt driveway has an extended lifetime and reduces long-term repair costs.

Your property’s asphalt driveway or pavement is likely one of the biggest investments you have made, and you will naturally want to keep it looking as good as new for as long as possible. Sealcoating is one of the most effective ways to keep your asphalt driveway in the best possible condition for many years.

Your driveway is one of the first things people see when they arrive at your house. Increase your home's curb appeal by taking excellent care of your asphalt driveway.

The World's Most Recycled Material

Of all the ubiquitous things in our environment, roads are probably one of the least noticed. Our roads see tremendous volumes of traffic and withstand considerable variations in weather and climate, and they do it on a pretty tight budget. That’s really only possible because of all the scientists, engineers, contractors, and public works crews keeping up with this simple but incredible material called asphalt.

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Happy Father's Day from Vaca Vet Striping

 

Your Driveway - The Stages and Solutions

Your driveway will go through a lot of changes from the time it’s new to the day you have to replace it. Each stage requires a different plan of action and the list below will help steer you in the right direction.

Stage 1: Preventative Maintenance

For the first few years, your driveway will only need preventative maintenance, sealcoating and crack filling every other year. Your driveway will stay in Stage 1 for as long as the cracks are not interconnected (alligatoring) and are not accompanied by settlement. Find a good local Sealcoater that will provide a written estimate.

Stage 2: Surface or Base Defects 

Your driveway has entered Stage 2 when sealcoating and crack filling alone will not take care of the problem areas. The driveway may have settled at the garage or curb (very common) or developed spider/alligator cracking or potholes. At this point, you’ll need an asphalt repair to get your surface back in shape. Call an asphalt repair company that can either perform infrared repair or saw cut and remove repairs. Then every other year sealcoating and crack filling regimen mentioned in stage 1 should continue throughout stage 2.

Stage 3: Replacement or Resurfacing 

When 20% or more of your driveway is in poor condition, it’s probably time for a new surface. At this point, repairs are no longer a cost-effective alternative. If you find yourself saying my driveway has potholes, cracking or settlement all over, it’s time to start over with a new driveway. Call a paving contractor and ask them whether you need complete removal and replacement or if resurfacing over your existing surface may be an option. There are certain circumstances that can make a case for repairing a driveway that’s in very bad shape. You may not have budgeted for a new driveway, but have some areas that can’t wait. In that case, just repair the very worst areas to get you by until a new driveway is in the budget.

A typical driveway will last 10-15 years, but this can vary due to the quality of the initial installation, poor drainage, ground movement, and proper maintenance. The key is to find quality contractors that will recommend the right process for your driveway’s condition, regardless of whether they provide that service or not.

Article Source: http://www.asphaltadvisor.com/2013/10/your-driveway-stages-and-solutions.html

Crack Sealing and Pavement Repair

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Pavement cracks need to be filled and/or sealed to prevent water from entering sub-grade layers. Special rubberized materials are applied to the cracks, which seals the pavement and helps to prolong its life.

Application of pavement crack treatments consist of three basic steps:

• Cleaning the cracks
• Cutting the reservoir if needed
• Installing the material

Sealing treatments are used for pavements that primarly have working cracks greater than 1/8 inch. Sealing treatments consist of creating a widened reservoir to provide proper geometry and placement of flexible material that can accommodate the expected movements.

- Sealcoating, crack sealing, striping and pavement repair. We do it all.

- Filling Asphalt Cracks in your asphalt driveway or parking lot surface will be a very important part of extending the life of your asphalt surface.

- The forces of nature do their best to break down the surface, creating cracks and potholes, which decreases the life of your driveway or parking lot. We specialize in maintenance and repair to help you extend the life of your asphalt.

Call Vaca Vet Striping at 707-592-8331 for an estimate

Asphalt or Concrete?

Asphalt or Concrete? This is a segment that was aired on the HomeWoRx television show with Gary Sullivan on network TV in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hear the pros and cons of installing an asphalt or concrete driveway.

Vaca Vet Striping has got you covered. We have over 30 years experience doing business as ACE Paving Company, with a General Engineering Class A Contractor’s License #389714. We strive to provide quality work and great service at an affordable cost. Vaca Vet Striping service area is Solano, Napa, Yolo, and Sacramento counties.

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More Than Just Price - Choosing a Paving Contractor to Install Your Driveway

Paving an asphalt driveway may seem like a simple task to some people. Basically, you just get a couple of companies out of the phone book to give you an estimate and then pick the cheapest one right? Well, not if you're concerned about the craftsmanship or making sure you get what you pay for. This is the number one mistake people make when choosing a contractor. Before you call any company do some research first. Information is readily available 24 hours a day on the web. Stay away from people that knock on your door. You will never ever get a good job from someone telling you he has an extra load of asphalt from a job up the street. These people are called travelers and never deliver on what they promise. There is plenty of info on the web regarding these types of people.

Try to zero in on companies that specialize in residential asphalt drives. Commercial contractors excel in putting down lots of asphalt really fast, but usually, fall short of a homeowner's expectations when it comes to details. Review a company's website, check them against the BBB or other reporting agencies, and compare your notes about your research. When you look at their website, be sure to pay really close attention to the details you find both in the content and in the pictures on the site. You want to see what kind of work they are capable of, and you want to be confident they fully know what they are doing. You'll also be able to make sure they have adequate equipment if they have good pictures. Once you have 1-3 good companies with a clean history and a good reputation now is the time to talk to them and request a bid. Always get a written proposal. This makes sure both parties' expectations are clear and known. It also helps protect you if a legal matter ensues.

When reviewing the bids pay close attention to the entire proposal; including the letterhead that it's composed on. Sloppiness or inadequacies on paper now may be what you'll get on your asphalt driveway too. Be sure that everything you expect from your paving project is included in the scope. Make sure you understand everything that is taking place. Be sure you understand how the job will be scheduled, how thick the driveway will be after the asphalt is compacted, how much rock will be installed prior to paving, and the dimensions or square footage. Signing a contract means you have accepted what is in writing. If something is left out, make sure you get an amended contract.

Before you sign a contract you should take some time and use good judgment to compare the estimates. Price should never be your number one concern. We'll discuss price in a moment. Take an opportunity to ask a contractor for referrals that best match the design of your job. Some companies keep a cheat sheet of their best referrals, but you should insist they provide you with 1-2 jobs nearby that best match your own asphalt driveway. You want this because you should be inclined to physically investigate what kind of work they do. Ask about jobs they might be doing in the area so you can personally witness them while in action.

How do you know what to look for when looking at a referral driveway that a company has already completed? Here are a few great tips that will bring you up to an educated level.

· Check all the transitional areas such as sidewalks, garage floors, and streets. These should all be flush, with no bump, and should have the proper thickness. Without these details, you will see water problems, or unraveling of the asphalt. These symptoms only get worse as time goes on.

· Streaking or pockmarks are a good indicator of a thin surface. This happens when there is not enough material to encapsulate the larger stones while paving. The larger stones will tumble and cause imperfections in the surface, or "mat".

· Seams and joints should be flush with each other, and barely visible (if at all) to an untrained eye. Seams and joints that are severely visible or are not evenly matched will fail prematurely.

· Exposed edges of the perimeter should be properly constructed. This is where most companies sink or swim. You should pay most of your attention here. Stand back and carefully look at the edges from a distant point of view. You should observe several aspects: The edges should be either in a perfectly straight line or consistently "flowing" with the turns. The edges should be properly shaped, beveled, or tamped in a consistent looking 60-degree angle. The edges should be compacted properly without looking "squashed" from the top. Without these characteristics, you will have problems later and it just doesn't look as good as it should.

· If you look at the job after a rainstorm, be sure there is no considerable ponding or puddling of water. If you do see water spots you can quickly deduce if they are too deep by measuring them with a coin placed flat in the water. The water should not be deeper than the coin.

· Last but not least, if the driveway was paved recently look for trash or debris left behind. This will indicate the level of cleanliness the crew is at.

You should really focus on the importance of inspecting past jobs by the company before spending your own money on having your asphalt driveway paved. By printing out this guide you can take it with you to create a checklist to write notes and comparisons on. Once you have done this, talk to the homeowner and ask how their experience was with the firm. If you are diligent about researching your contractors prior to hiring them, you nearly eliminate the chance of getting a bad asphalt driveway. It's your money, be sure it's well spent.

Certainly, ask your contractor about asphalt prices. Since early 2008 prices have gone up and down every month (typically up). Most paving contractors will not absorb a price increase. You and your contractor need to be in agreement with what will happen in the case of rising material costs.

Since we are on the topic of price now, let's explore a few matters. There are a few ways of eliminating contractors before price. Be sure they are completely aware of your expectations. Have they presented you with a solution that gives you the absolute best return on investment? Does their reputation meet what you are looking for? If you have done your homework and still are lucky enough to have several contractors to choose from, price now becomes an important focus. Ask about available discounts. Typically, discounts are usually for cash payment, multiple jobs are done at once (i.e. neighbor also needs a driveway), senior citizen, or repeat work. Also, inquire about getting free or discounted maintenance packages once they have completed your driveway. Ask about including other options such as crack barrier or curbing at a lesser amount. Before asking a contractor to directly drop his price, be aware of several things. If you have found a very good contractor, chances are they are very passionate about their work and may feel a bit insulted if asked to match another company's price. If you ask them to match a price and they feel as though their competition is as good as they are, a price reduction might be made to try to satisfy you. Be very considerate when asking for a direct reduction. These days it's very expensive and stressful to operate a successful paving operation. The last thing you want to do is cause your contractor stress that may influence how your driveway is constructed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Dinkela_II

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How Often and Why Should You Sealcoat & Crackfill Your Pavement?

The short answer: About 2-3 years depending on some factors.

The 2 most important factors are: Weather & Use.

A lot of homeowners & business owners wait way too long before even considering resealing their lots and driveways. You know you’re in this situation if your lot or driveway looks gray and worn out along with some cracks.

But don’t worry!

An old worn out driveway doesn’t mean you will have to spend thousands to make it look good again. Depending on your expectations!

Sealing too much and too often can cause peeling, flaking or cracking if it builds up.

Some companies may try to convince you to seal every year. We always get customers that say they were told by their previous sealcoat company that they should do it every year, we consider that the worst thing you can do.

For example, sealing every year might sound like a good idea, but in the long run, you’re most likely going to cause irreparable “damage“.

Very often what happens is you start to sandwich layers on top of each other, after about 5 years of doing this you will end up having areas of the sealcoat start to chip off and flake. Once this begins to happen its pretty much impossible to stop it from spreading across areas that are NOT under constant use.

Sealcoating and Crackfilling helps the asphalt on your driveway or parking lot in quite a few ways.

1. It extends your pavements life.
2. Sealing protects the tiniest cracks on the pavement from water.
3. Crackfilling also prevents water from washing out the base layer under the asphalt and from ice forming in between the cracks.
4. Helps prevent the sun from drying out the asphalt.
5. Keeps the pavement looking fresh and new.
6. Prevents high repair costs in the future.

Article Source: https://birminghamsealcoat.com/blog/how-often-and-why-should-you-sealcoat-amp-crackfill-your-pavement