Frequently
Asked Questions
Why
do I need to sealcoat my lot or driveway?
What about asphalt cracks and why do they form?
When should I have my asphalt surface sealed?
How often should I seal my asphalt?
If I just had a driveway or lot sealed, how
long do I have to stay off it?
How much does it cost to seal or repair a lot
or driveway?
What is a custom mix design?
Q:
Why do I need to sealcoat my lot or driveway?
A: Sealer penetrates the asphalt
binder and creates a protective coating on the asphalt surface.
This prevents moisture penetration that causes the small stones
that are near the top of the surface to pop out when it freezes.
The new, dark surface helps to melt off the snow and ice faster.
The sealed surface will repel gas, oil, and antifreeze much better
than a non-sealed surface. Besides a newly sealed lot of drive
looks better.
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Q:
What about asphalt cracks and why do they form?
A: Asphalt as well as concrete
will do one thing that is guaranteed, it will crack. The severity
will depend on the maintenance you do. The most important point
for asphalt is crack maintenance. Asphalt and concrete expand
and contract, the severity that they do so will cause cracks to
develop. If you have surfaces maintained, you can prevent further
damage such as crack shifts and potholes. The advantage of asphalt
over concrete is that the cracks are usually cheaper and easier
to maintain.
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Q:
When should I have my asphalt surface sealed?
A: I recommend waiting two seasons
before sealing for the first time. This allows the asphalt to
full cure. Sealing too soon can cause the asphalt to remain soft
allowing tire dents, bike stand holes, etc. I also recommended
two coats for the seal.
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Q: How often should I seal my
asphalt?
A: I recommend waiting at
least two years between sealing. Sealing too often will cause
sealer buildup. Before long your asphalt would look more like
a dried riverbed. Many residential applications we have done have
lasted five years. Commercial lots vary from one year for fast
food restaurants to five years for a church lot.
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Q: If I just had a driveway or
lot sealed, how long do I have to stay off it?
A: Many times just 24 hours, however if you have a shadowed drive
48 hours would be better. If can also depend on the temperature
and time of year. Most customers would like to wait until fall
to seal, this is actually not the recommended time. The best time
to seal is in the mid summer while temperature is up day and night.
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Q: How much does it cost to seal or
repair a lot or driveway?
A: There are a lot of variables
to consider in each case, so the cost will vary also. It depends
on items such as size of lot, amount of cracks or repairs and
more. Please contact us for an estimate. It has been proven that
properly maintained asphalt will double the life of your pavement.
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Q: What is a custom mix design?
A: Many applications vary. We can
customize a mix for any need, from a shiny residential surface
to a rough, nonskid airport runway.
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