No other form of paving matches the beauty of a freshly paved asphalt pavement, parking lot, or driveway. However, asphalt is prone to incurring various types of damage when exposed to the elements. Thus, the beauty of your asphalt parking lot or driveway will not last forever.
However, you can protect your asphalt from the elements by seal-coating it. Asphalt seal coating involves applying a protective membrane on the surface of the asphalt to protect it from the elements. Ideally, an asphalt seal coating should get installed as soon as the freshly paved asphalt dries up. Nonetheless, this isn't always possible.
Hence, you must familiarize yourself with the early signs that indicate your asphalt needs seal coating. So, here are three warning signs that warrant scheduling an asphalt seal coating service.
1. Alligator Cracks
As the name suggests, alligator cracks are minute cracks on the asphalt surface that resemble the skin of an alligator.
Alligator cracks usually form due to the daily expansion and contraction of the asphalt surface. Typically, the asphalt surface heats up and expands during the day when it gets exposed to sunlight. But when the sun sets and temperatures drop, the asphalt surface cools down and contracts. Thus the frequent expansion and contraction weaken the asphalt surface causing alligator cracks to develop.
Nonetheless, you should note that alligator cracks allow moisture to penetrate the asphalt surface. Hence, neglecting alligator cracks can cause moisture penetration to damage your asphalt further.
Thus, when alligator cracks develop, it is high time to schedule an asphalt seal coating service. Asphalt seal coating will help fill the alligator cracks and prevent moisture from penetrating the asphalt surface.
2. Color Fading
Besides causing alligator cracks, exposure to sunlight also causes the asphalt's color to fade. Asphalt fades when ultraviolet radiation breaks down the bitumen bonds in the asphalt. Hence, the breakdown of bitumen bonds is why asphalt changes from deep black to grayish.
Thus, if your asphalt starts to fade, schedule an asphalt seal coating service. Applying a seal coat on the asphalt helps block UV radiation from the sun, thus protecting your asphalt from fading.
So if you want your asphalt to retain its rich dark color, consider seal-coating it as soon as possible.
3. Staining
Though asphalt is dark black, it is not impervious to staining. For instance, when petroleum products such as oil or gasoline spill on your asphalt, they react with the bitumen. However, the chemical reaction leaves behind a stain that deteriorates the aesthetic appeal of your asphalt.
When you notice stains forming on your asphalt, you should seek asphalt seal coating services. The seal coating on asphalt prevents spills from seeping into the asphalt and covers up any previously formed stains.
Hence, asphalt seal coating services can help prevent your asphalt from staining and conceal previous stains.
To learn more, contact a company like Pana Paving.