In this blog post, Tri-State Paving will discuss the best practices for sealing an asphalt driveway to create a smooth process.

If you desire to protect your asphalt driveway, you should consider sealing it. Sealing an asphalt driveway is a great way to maintain it looking fresh and new for many years. However, you must understand a couple of things before sealing your driveway. In this blog post, Tri-State Paving will discuss the best practices for sealing an asphalt driveway to create a smooth process.

Preparation Process

Before applying any sealer on your driveway, you must clean it well. Use a push broom to sweep away leaves, debris, and dirt. If you notice any oil stains, you will need to scrub them with a stiff-bristled brush and a special detergent you can purchase at your local auto supply store. You should also trim any grass overhanging the driveway’s edge.

Once your driveway is clean, you need to examine it for cracks. In addition, you can typically fill minor gaps with a sealant designed for asphalt driveways. An asphalt paving company might need to patch significant cracks before sealing them. Lastly, grab your pressure washer or a garden hose and rinse the entire driveway. This will help clear any loose debris or dirt left behind after sweeping. If you’re using a pressure washer, be cautious of using too much pressure because it can damage the asphalt. In addition, please leave it to dry before moving on to the next step.

Mix Before Fix

Before sealing an asphalt driveway, you must mix the driveway sealer. Make sure the lid is closed and turn the container upside down to mix it thoroughly. After you’ve opened the container, stir it periodically as you’re working to maintain an even consistency. Moreover, the ground temperature for sealing an asphalt driveway should be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If rain is coming the next day, wait for another dry day to complete the job because you don’t want any water entering the sealer before it can cure.

Time for Application!

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, pour some of the driveway sealers on a corner of the pavement. Use your gloves and a squeegee or an application brush to work in small square sections of about 10-20 square feet at a time. Also, apply the sealer instead of one thick coat in thin, overlapping coats. Additional thickness doesn’t equal more protection and can lead to an uneven surface. Lastly, allow the sealer to dry for at least a day and prevent any traffic or activity on the surface.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional asphalt paving company for your project?

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for the outdoor kitchen and dining area that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt, or hardscaping work.

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The post Best Practices for Sealing an Asphalt Driveway appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Sealcoating asphalt maintains your driveway’s integrity and boosts its appearance.

The repairs on an extensively destroyed asphalt driveway can be expensive. Luckily, seal coating asphalt is a simple and inexpensive maintenance solution that increases the life span of your driveway. Sealcoating asphalt also maintains your driveway’s integrity and boosts its appearance. Learn the five advantages of seal coating asphalt for driveways.

Saves You Time and Money

Your asphalt driveway is exposed to environmental elements such as potholes and cracks without the process of seal coating. Sealcoating asphalt avoids high repair costs and damage to your parking area in the long run. Also, the rain effortlessly washes away debris while making sweeping an easy task. If paving professionals typically clean your asphalt, seal coating lessens the cleaning frequency.

Extends the Asphalt’s Life

Moreover, a seal coat will block out all the harmful elements of nature and lessen wear and tear. Rain, snow, the sun’s ultraviolet rays, gas, and car fluids will eventually deteriorate the asphalt. As a result, seal coating will ultimately prolong the pavement’s life. In addition, chemicals will not leak below your asphalt driveway and cause damage since seal coating replenishes the tiny cracks. Seal coating asphalt will last many years if you consistently maintain it.

Sealcoating Asphalt Enhances Your Curb Appeal

A seal coat will also cover minor cracks and prevent them from forming more significant gaps. Sealcoating asphalt will provide your driveway with a glossy appearance. This is ideal for restoring a worn-down asphalt area after winter. However, you should know that asphalt coating will not seal significant cracks. So, you must repair large cracks before seal coating asphalt. The seal coating process only works for tiny cracks, uneven spots, and patches.

Lessens Safety Concerns and Protects Against Damage

Lastly, you can easily fall or trip if the asphalt pavement has cracks and chips, particularly when it rains or snows. Driving over large potholes will damage your vehicle’s tires and produce wheel alignment problems. Asphalt seal coating is also essential in regions that experience freezing climates. The water will flow into the small cracks and expand. This will provoke enlarged damages to become significant potholes on your driveway.

Keep your asphalt driveway functional and visually pleasing with routine seal coating. Contact Tri-State Paving today for our seal coating services.

Interested in Professional Asphalt Sealing Services?

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for the outdoor kitchen and dining area that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt, or hardscaping work.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

The post 4 Advantages of Sealcoating Asphalt in Pennsylvania appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Two coats of sealant are applied to the driveway or parking lot using a squeegee or sprayer.

Asphalt driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks are big investments! They are expensive and time-consuming to install, but with proper care and maintenance, they can last up to twelve years! Something you can do to prolong the life of your driveway is seal-coating your asphalt. Read on to find out more about the asphalt seal-coating process!

What is Seal-Coating?

Asphalt seal-coating acts as a barrier between your asphalt and the elements – water, ice, car fluids, the sun, salt and other chemicals, which might destroy the structural integrity of your driveway. The sealant is usually a coal tar emulsion, making it very resistant to water, gas, oil, salt, and UV radiation. Think of asphalt sealant like sunscreen for your driveway!

How Is It Applied?

Asphault seal-coating is best done by professionals, who will have the appropriate safety equipment and technique for handling the sealant.

First, the asphalt will be cleaned to remove all dirt and debris, using a combination of brooms, blowers, and pressure washers. The sealant will coat and remaining debris, and cause flaking, weak spots in the seal-coating. Once the pavement is clean, any remaining chemical spots – such as oil or anti-freeze – will be treated with a priming liquid to make sure that the seal-coating will stick.

Two coats of sealant are applied to the driveway or parking lot using a squeegee or sprayer, with some time allowed for it to dry between coats. It is very important to give the seal-coating enough time to dry and cure before using the asphalt. If used too soon, you could see unexpected early wear and tear or tire markings in the seal-coating. Try to give the asphalt at least 24 hours before seeing any traffic.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional paving company?

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for outdoor kitchen and dining area that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work.

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The post Asphalt Seal-Coating Prolongs the Life of Your Delaware Driveway appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

So How Does Asphalt Sealing Work?

An application of asphalt sealing product has the power to improve its appearance and extend its lifespan exponentially. Essentially, they provide a powerful protective layer against UV radiation, moisture damage, and extreme temperature changes. Asphalt sealing can be done with a wide variety of materials, so it’s important to know the difference between them before choosing.

What Asphalt Sealing Material Should I Use?

Traditional: Traditional asphalt sealing products are made with a mixed emulsifier, which typically resembles a soapy substance, and water. While they are undoubtedly the cheapest available solution for asphalt sealing, they have a very short lifespan and don’t offer much protection against ultraviolet rays.

Coal Tar: Coal tar asphalt sealant consists of an emulsifier mixed with tiny clay particles, which makes it very easy to apply. Coal tar asphalt sealing products are incredibly effective at preserving asphalt against repeat exposure to oil and gasoline, making them ideal for asphalt that will see a lot of traffic. Many coal tar asphalts are made with special polymers that offer UV protection.

Acrylic Polymer: Acrylic polymer sealants are entirely synthetic, made with chemical components deigned to offer the maximum amount of protection against UV radiation and the elements. These asphalt sealing products tend to offer more protection than any other kind of sealant although they do cost more.

How Often Should Sealant Be Applied?

If your asphalt has been recently laid you should think about having asphalt sealing done roughly one year after the initial asphalt paving. Because asphalt is made with oils it remains relatively flexible until these oils evaporate, which typically takes about a year. If your asphalt has already been sealed and is over a year old, you should make sure to have asphalt sealing done about once every three years. A good way to tell if it needs sealing is if it starts to look gray, rather than black. This is a sign of over-oxidation, which eventually causes asphalt cracking.

Interested in Professional Asphalt Sealing Services?

Then call Tristate Paving! We’re an experienced asphalt sealing and paving company with the knowledge and skills necessary to take care of your asphalt sealing project quickly and affordably. If you want to keep your asphalt looking and performing great, then consider calling us for professional asphalt sealing services.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+

The post The Importance of Asphalt Sealing in Maryland appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.