Three Asphalt Driveway Sealcoating Benefits
You probably understand the importance of regular maintenance if you are a homeowner. From replacing HVAC filters and missing shingles to mowing your lawn and pressure washing your siding, maintenance practices protect and enhance your property's functionality, appeal, and value. For example, your driveway is an essential part of your home that requires adequate maintenance and care to protect its look and durability. Unfortunately, your driveway is exposed to plenty of abuse over time, leading to potholes, cracks, and discoloration. Luckily, sealcoating is an excellent option for homeowners that want to protect and restore their driveway's functionality and aesthetic appeal. These are just a few of the benefits of regular sealcoating maintenance:
Enhanced curb appeal
Picture your driveway as the red carpet to the front of your home. As people pass by or come to visit your house, their gaze will be guided up your driveway to the entrance of your home. If your drive is damaged or stained at all, it will harm your property's curb appeal. Cleaning it will remove light stains and surface debris, but severe holes, cracks, and stains require further maintenance to restore your pavement to a better condition. Sealcoating covers stains and discoloration on your driveway surface and fills in minor damages and cracks under 1/8 of an inch. It also boosts your home's curb appeal by enhancing your driveway's surface quality and color.
Improved protection
Your driveway's appearance is not the only thing to be concerned about. Your driveway is exposed to many dangerous elements that compromise its structural integrity over time. For example, over time, water can destroy asphalt paving. Ice, snow, sleet, and rain will accumulate and intrude into holes and cracks in your pavement. The moisture will cause holes and cracks to expand over time and destroy the surface of your pavement and erode the underlying subgrade. In addition, UV rays from the sun will fade the surface of your pavement and cause oxidation that deteriorates it. Finally, exposure to chemicals can destroy your pavement. Stains, paints, gas, oil, and other fluid leaks from lawn care equipment or vehicles will eat through the surface of your driveway.
Sealcoating will protect your driveway from damage and discoloration while adding additional protection from various hazardous elements. While asphalt driveways usually have a lifespan of between 12 and 20 years, you can extend the life of your pavement with regular sealcoating maintenance.
Financial savings
Sealcoating maintenance seals minute holes and cracks to prevent moisture and other environmental hazards from intruding into the pavement's inner layers. This protection decreases the damages that often lead to costly repairs over time. This protection also reduces the amount of maintenance your pavement will need in the future. Though sealcoating costs are based on the size of your pavement and the extent of damage it has, it is always less expensive than repairing or replacing the entire structure.