Asphalt can be an excellent paving material for your driveway. It can be easy to install and repair if something goes wrong with it. You do need to ensure that you maintain the driveway regularly, and one of the things you need to do is ensure that your driveway gets routinely sealed. There are a lot of benefits to having your driveway periodically resealed. What are some of those benefits?
Stops Break Down
Asphalt is made up of aggregate and bitumen. Aggregate is little bits of gravel or other similar kinds of material that get held together by the bitumen, which is a petroleum product. Gas and oil, also petroleum products, can break down the bitumen after some time. Sealing the asphalt ensures that the bitumen isn't exposed to the oil, gas, and other fluids that could damage the driveway. The sealant is a thin layer on top of the driveway, and it helps to fill in all the nooks and crannies. It doesn't change how the driveway looks because it will dry clear, but it will add another level of protection.
Flexibility
Asphalt has some flexibility that other paving materials don't have. As it gets older, it starts to lose that flexibility. That causes the driveway to start to break down. Sealing your driveway can help with that flexibility and can make your driveway last longer. It can also make the ride a little smoother, which you might not notice on a short driveway, but if you have a long driveway, you may feel it.
Cleanup
When you mow your lawn or are trying to handle leaves in the middle of the fall, you must deal with the grass and leaves on your driveway. The easiest way to deal with them on your asphalt driveway is to grab a push broom and sweep them off into the street or a pile so that you can pick them up and put them in a bag or a compost heap. The sealant makes the driveway nice and smooth, meaning nothing will catch in the driveway as you sweep it off.
If you have an asphalt driveway, you need to make sure that you maintain it. The easiest way to do that is to get your driveway sealed regularly. Talk to an asphalt contractor to find out how often you should seal it, and make an appointment for them to seal your driveway.
For more info about asphalt sealcoating, contact a local company.
