Colorado’s extreme weather (and corresponding temperature fluctuations) unfortunately strongly impacts the structural integrity of our roads. With over four million miles of roadway across the United States, every foot, including your own asphalt driveway, is at risk.
Investing in seal coating is one of the most effective ways to ensure the longevity of your asphalt driveway. By applying a new layer above the existing asphalt, professional seal coating has preserved the safety of our roads and untold thousands of driveways. It gained popularity across the U.S. for its strength and ease of use, but how does it work, and how often should it be used? Read on to hear what our experts have to say.
Asphalt is especially susceptible to the elements.
Colorado, therefore, makes survival for asphalt roads particularly challenging. Depending on where you live across this beautiful state, temperatures can have more than 150°F worth of variance between its officially recorded hottest and coldest temperatures. And you only really need to live in Colorado for a year to experience all four seasons in a single week.
Our state makes asphalt longevity difficult enough; seal coating is our best choice to maintain them.
The benefits of seal coating asphalt driveways include the following:
It is usually recommended for a professional to undertake the seal coating service. It deals with harsh chemicals and fumes, requiring experience and skill to do it right. If you’re still determined to make it a DIY job, here are a few general guidelines before getting started:
Clean the driveway of dirt, dust, and debris. Clean stains, oil, and grease, and remove all weeds along the driveway’s border. The pressure washer works well for initial cleaning.
Patch cracks and holes well before treating a driveway with seal coating.
Mix sealant buckets one at a time and clean the surface again.
Begin sealing the driveway from top to bottom by pouring sealant and brushing it into place with a squeegee. Use a paintbrush along the edges to ensure precision. The squeegee should be held at a 45-degree angle to push the sealant accordingly so that, with its self-leveling properties, a flat surface is made.
Wait 24 hours, then apply a second coat. After the second coat, allow another 24 hours before walking on it and 72 hours before driving.
Sealer should be applied to a brand-new asphalt driveway three to six months after installation. Sealing coat your driveway every three to five years is generally recommended, depending on a few variables.
Seal coating might be needed more frequently on Colorado driveways due to the harsh Colorado climate, weather, and sunshine. Furthermore, should a driveway appear faded or damaged in isolated areas, it may indicate that another seal coat is required. Pay attention to the signs, but you can expect to seal asphalt driveways at least every few years. Consistent treatment is key to longevity and aesthetic quality.
If the driveway is over 20 years old, the foundation is unstable, or cracks run deeper than 2 inches, seal coating might not be as effective because it will combat an underlying weakness.
Seal coating is popular for a reason, but its use has some limitations. Seal coating should be considered a protective layer, not a magical solution to a damaged road. Seal coating will not, in fact, repair or restore asphalt in any way; it will simply protect it from further damage while making it appear renewed in color and texture. If the structural integrity of a road is compromised, it must be repaired before seal coating can be used.
Asphalt seal coating is a widespread solution to preserve the vitality of our roads and driveways. By applying a new layer of protection, your driveway is safe against the harsh Colorado climate and continues to look like the day it was installed.
Are you seeking protection for your asphalt driveway? Asphalt Doctors is Colorado’s top choice for seal coating and all things asphalt. Contact our team of experts with any questions or to get started with seal coating today!
Preparing an outdoor surface that can stand up to the harsh Colorado elements can be a challenging undertaking, but technology has offered us a number of innovative solutions to overcome this. Asphalt seal coating is one of the most common methods for protecting driveways, walkways, and parking lots, and it’s likely only going to continue growing in popularity.
But what is asphalt seal coating, and how does it benefit you? Here’s a deep dive into everything you need to know from the experts at Asphalt Doctors.
Asphalt seal coating is an inexpensive process that helps to extend the lifespan of underlying hard surface material such as concrete or asphalt. This liquid coating is rolled or painted over the area, and once allowed to cure, it effectively seals (hence the name) the material from potential exterior damage. It comes in two forms: Coal Tar Emulsion and Asphalt Emulsion.
Seal coating is the most common solution to small damage, such as cracks or holes caused by freezing temperatures and frequent traffic. It also helps protect the underlying surface from excessive oxidation, prevents damage from spreading to other areas in the underlying structure, and defends against air, water, oil, gas, salt, chemicals, and ultraviolet rays.
It is a thoroughly effective and highly efficient method that offers protection and resiliency to surfaces to remain in good condition, even in extreme weather conditions.
As previously discussed, asphalt seal coating comes in two primary forms: Coal Tar and Asphalt Emulsion.
Coal Tar seal coating comprises a thick black liquid, a byproduct of bituminous coal. It is made of thousands of chemicals and is different molecularly than asphalt. Coal Tar seal coating is then created by mixing the bituminous coal byproduct with inert fillers, water, and emulsifying agents.
Asphalt Emulsion seal coating is made of asphalt, water, and a small amount of emulsifying agents.
Coal Tar is the industry’s most commonly used asphalt seal coating.
Every asphalt company has a different asphalt seal coating process, but at Asphalt Doctors, our process includes the following:
Seal coating is completed during the spring, summer, and autumn – temperatures of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit are required.
Various other methods exist for installing asphalt or conducting an asphalt surface repair. One of the most common, alongside seal coating, is asphalt paving. This is a holistic renewal and new installation of asphalt, and it can be applied directly to materials such as concrete, gravel, or even existing asphalt.
Other methods for conducting an asphalt repair include:
Asphalt seal coating effectively and efficiently protects outdoor surfaces such as roads, walkways, and parking lots. This extremely quick process creates resistance to all types of liquids, chemicals, and even UV radiation so that your surfaces have longer lifetimes, even after incurring damage.
If you’re considering asphalt seal coating or any other type of asphalt solution for your project, be sure to contact the experts at Asphalt Doctors – we are committed to quality, ethics, service, and efficiency. Give our team a call today!
Driving surfaces, whether parking lots or roads, are often made of one of two types of material: concrete or asphalt. Concrete and asphalt have their respective advantages, but is one material better to use than the other? Read on for our neutral comparison, and gain deeper insight to help decision-making on your own project.
Need professional help for your road, parking lot, or driveway project? Contact the experts at the Asphalt Doctors right away.
Concrete is made from a mixture of sand, cement, and gravel. This mixture is then poured and left to cure for approximately one week, creating a strong, durable, and long-lasting concrete surface. It is often gray in color.
Asphalt, on the other hand, is made from a mixture of sand, stone, and petroleum products to create a durable adhesive that is rolled out and cooled. It is often black in color.
Overall, many factors contribute to whether concrete or asphalt is the best option for parking lots and roads. Ultimately, it comes down to your project’s particular situation and needs, but for most situations, our team of experts recommends asphalt parking lots and roads.
If you have a project that needs a short-term solution, asphalt is great because it has a lower average cost ($2-4 per square foot vs. concrete’s $4-6 per square foot). Repairs are also easy, quick, and inexpensive compared to the alternative.
Additionally, in climates like Colorado, it’s smart to choose a product that can withstand the frequent fluctuations in temperature. Concrete can easily erode and crack with constant freezing, thawing, and the application of antifreeze chemicals. Asphalt, on the other hand, does well against highly variable temperatures and can, again, be easily repaired in case of damage.
Some projects, like major highways, must withstand up to 40+ years of wear and tear, making concrete a more economically viable solution. Similarly, if a project requires as little greenhouse gas emissions as possible, concrete could be the right choice for you.
If you are considering a new road, parking lot, or driveway, it’s important to work with the experts in Colorado. Contact the professionals at the Asphalt Doctors today to get started!
It is important to have a pavement management plan in place to protect your asphalt and give it a longer life. As pavement ages, repairs will become necessary in order to keep it looking good and working well – infrared asphalt patching is an efficient, cost-effective method that is the best choice in pavement management for all your asphalt patching needs.
Infrared asphalt patching is a repair technique that utilizes infrared radiation to increase the malleability of your currently existing asphalt pavement surface. Asphalt is heated and reworked on site, then combined with new asphalt to resurface a damaged area. This is a perfect solution for a low-cost yet highly effective repair of roads, driveways, and walkways. It is easy, quick, and outperforms other methods of repair.
Infrared asphalt patching revolves around working with the existing, compromised asphalt that is in need of repair in tandem with new and compacted asphalt. The process includes:
There are many benefits to infrared asphalt patching, including:
Infrared asphalt patching uses infrared rays that allow deep penetration asphalt repair and reclaiming without causing burning, scaling, or separation of the asphalt from the aggregate.
Infrared asphalt patching outperforms other methods due to its simplicity and effectiveness. By recycling and reusing existing materials, the result is less expensive as well as more environmentally friendly by reducing waste. Furthermore, it reduces the cost and impact of increased fuel and labor required for manufacturing and transporting new asphalt in mass.
This method is also superior to complete road replacement as it is much less disruptive. It won’t disrupt underground infrastructure like electricity, water, and internet and will be completed in a short period of time, allowing traffic to resume after about 30 minutes.
While infrared asphalt patching is a fantastic, immediate solution for pavement failure, it is not permanent. This is specifically the case if the damage is not just surface level but structural. If there is a structural problem underlying the pavement, the repair will likely fail again as the platform continues to degrade.
One of the best aspects of infrared asphalt patching is that it can be done all year round — from the intense heat of summer to the freezing cold of winter — this method of pavement repair is consistently reliable and always viable.
Asphalt repair costs normally shoot up during the winter season due to the increased amount of machinery and equipment required to keep materials at the correct temperature. Fortunately, infrared asphalt patching negates this entirely and is there for you when you need it at no additional charge.
When it comes to pavement management, infrared asphalt patching is by far the best solution out there. This method will save you time, money, and stress, and the experts at the Asphalt Doctors are your team of specialists that will get the job done. Check out our customer testimonials and contact us today for questions, advice, and support for all your asphalt needs.
