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Sealcoating |
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"We use STAR-SEAL ASPHALT SEALANT, which meets or exceeds: Federal Specification
RP-355E" |
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SEALCOAT YOUR DRIVEWAY/PARKING LOT |
Sealcoating is the method of protecting your asphalt pavement by applying a coating
to the pavement surface. Oftentimes homeowners try to do this themselves, but hiring
a pavement maintenance professional will give you better results. The professional
contractor understands pavement, knows how the sealer works, and is trained to help
stop small problems before they become big, expensive problems.
He knows the proper techniques to prepare the pavement and apply sealer, he owns
and knows how to use the necessary tools, and he also uses a top-quality professional
sealing product. He can also include aggregate in his sealcoat, which will make
the sealer last longer and assure an abrasive surface for car and foot traffic.
Without aggregate, a sealed asphalt surface can be slick. |
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HOW SEALCOAT PROTECTS YOUR PAVEMENT |
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Preceded by effective crack repair, sealcoating applied every two or three years
can significantly extend the life of your driveway/parking lot for minimal cost. |
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PREVENTS OXIDATION: |
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Asphalt pavement begins to deteriorate almost as soon as it's placed. As the pavement
is exposed to oxygen, the asphalt binder (tar) hardens. This hardening results in
a brittle surface that will eventually crack. The cracks enable oxygen and rainwater
to penetrate the pavement, often into the subbase, weakening it and reducing pavement
strength. Sealcoating protects the surface and fills surface voids, reducing the
pavement's exposure to oxygen and water, and extending pavement life. |
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RESISTS ULTRAVIOLET RAYS: |
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These rays from the sun also cause the pavement to deteriorate. They break down
the links between carbon bonds in the asphalt, causing the pavement to crumble.
Regularly applied sealcoats prevent ulraviolet rays from penetrating the pavement. |
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RESISTS OIL AND GAS SPILLS: |
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This is especially important on driveways/parking lots where cars are often parked
or worked on. Gasoline or oil will soften asphalt concrete. Coal tar sealers aren't
soluble in gas or oil so they prevent damage caused by leaks or spills. Asphalt
sealers, which normally would be soluble in gas or water, usually include additives
that enable them to resist such leaks. By filling surface voids, sealcoating also
reduces the depth to which oil or gas can penetrate the pavement.
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SEALCOAT ENHANCES PAVEMENT APPEARANCE AND EASES MAINTENANCE: |
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Sealcoating brings back the dark black color of the original pavement, making it
look and wear like new. Sealcoated pavements also are easier to clean and maintain.
Because sealcoats fill the surface voids, they make the surface much smoother. A
smoother surface is easier to sweep, shovel and wash. |
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SEALCOAT NEW ASPHALT WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION: |
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But wait at least 90 days. Asphalt concrete needs between 60 to 90 days to fully
cure, and contractors should wait that long before sealcoating. If sealer is applied
before the pavement is cured, the oils in the asphalt will work their way to the
surface and the sealer won't adhere properly. Two coats of sealer are recommended-the
added cost is minimal compared to the extra protection. |
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SEALCOAT YOUR DRIVEWAY/PARKING LOT EVERY 2 OR 3 YEARS: |
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Sealcoating is a protective film that will wear away, probably in some high-wear
areas such as wheel paths, over time. A good rule of thumb is to have the contractor
sealcoat your driveway/parking lot every two or three years. This provides a consistently
high level of protection for the pavement, ensuring that it will last longer. Sealcoating
is like "WATER-PROOFING" your pavement. |
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Sealing Crew at Work |
Broom Application |
Spray Application |
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SELECTING YOUR SEALER |
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Rely on your pavement maintenance contractors to make this decision. They know what
type of sealer is best for your pavement condition and region of the country. Most
likely they will recommend one of two types of sealer. |
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ASPHALT EMULSION |
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The main ingredient in this sealer is a by-product of the oil-refining process.
It is naturally compatible with the asphalt concrete, but by nature it is less resistant
to oil and gasoline spills. Manufacturers of asphalt sealers modify the asphalt
emulsion with special additives that make it more resistant to gasoline and oil
spills. |
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REFINED COAL TAR EMULSION |
Coal tar is a by-product of the steel manufacturing process.
After it has been refined,
it is used as a sealer for both pavements and roofs. Coal tar emulsion is naturally
resistant to oil and gasoline spills. THIS PRODUCT IS THE MOST RECOMMENDED FOR THIS
REGION.
Many sealcoating materials sold in hardware stores and other do-it-yourself outlets
are not as high of a quality as that used by professional pavement maintenance contractors.
Contractors are trained professionals whose livelihood depends on the quality of
their work. Therefore, they are closely tied to reputable manufacturers who make
a consistently high-quality sealer designed for professional use. |
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Sealers used by professional contractors often: |
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Are thicker |
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Have a higher solids content (which is important when filling in surface voids.) |
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Contains additives that will speed drying, reduce tracking, improve adhesion to
the pavement surface, gives sealer elasticity, |
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suspends sand for uniform distribution on pavement, and generally extends the wearability
and life of the sealcoat. |
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Will have the proper aggregate (sand) content to provide an abrasive surface for
slip resistance and surface glare. |
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RELY ON YOUR PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE PROFESSIONAL |
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Your driveway/parking lot is a significant investment in your property. Proper maintenance
by a skilled professional can help make your investment last more than twice as
long as unmaintained pavement, thereby extending the life of the pavement and saving
your money over the long run. Your pavement maintenance contractor is trained in
detection and repairing pavement defects ranging from base failure to crack repair
and sealcoating. He has the right tools, the knowledge, and the know-how to do the
job right. Rely on him to help you to maintain a long-lasting, quality pavement.
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We accept
Visa, Master, Discover, and American Express |
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© Copyright 2011 Belson Asphalt Paving
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5651 Bankers Rd. Reading, MI 49274 | Call us at (517) 283-3584 or
Email us at |
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