How to Find the Best “Driveway Sealcoating Near Me”: What is Sealcoating, Anyway?
“Sealcoating” is in our name, so it’s no surprise it’s a lot of what we do here. But many homeowners—and even some businesses—aren’t quite sure how to answer “what is sealcoating,” or how it might improve the look, durability, and safety of their paved surfaces.
With that in mind, we’d like to provide a little information on exactly what sealcoating is, and why it might be just the solution you need to keep your driveway or parking lot looking (and functioning) its best for the foreseeable future.
What Is Sealcoating: How Asphalt Sealcoating Works
While many of us refer to driveways and parking lots as “concrete,” the vast majority of them—roughly 9 in 10—are actually made of asphalt. Asphalt is a catchall name given to bitumen, a viscous petroleum binding agent that’s in turn also called "liquid asphalt cement.”
Why are driveways and parking lots made of asphalt? The main reason is ease of installation. It’s far faster (and thus less costly) to pave a surface in asphalt than it is in concrete. While an asphalt surface is often ready for use in only a couple of days, concrete typically requires a week or more to set and cure before it’s safe to use.
Asphalt is also renewable. A driveway or parking lot contractor in Vancouver can grind up an old asphalt surface to be reused. Certain types of asphalt—often known as porous or permeable asphalt—also allows water to drain down into the soil below (a major concern here in the Pacific Northwest). On a concrete surface, by comparison, excess water has to be managed from the outset as part of the project plan.
Driveway Sealcoating Near Me: 7 Benefits of Asphalt Sealcoating
How can sealcoating benefit YOU? Let us count the ways!
Sealcoating Extends Your Property’s Lifespan
Left on their own, paved surfaces degrade under the constant assault of environmental factors. By providing a durable protective layer, sealcoating can dramatically extend the service life of a driveway or other paved surface.
Sealcoating Asphalt Saves You Money
Regular sealcoating is far less expensive (and far less impactful) than repairing or replacing a paved surface. (At present, replacing any paved surface in our service area is $1500 at the bare minimum.) By contracting with a quality material and sealcoat your property’s driveway or parking lot from time to time, you’ll ultimately save time, money, and effort.
Sealcoating Delivers Instant Curb Appeal
Are you selling, revamping, or just want to present your property at its very best? As soon as the driveway sealcoating is dry, you’ll instantly have a far more attractive surface that signals the pride, dedication, and care you put into maintaining your property.
Sealcoating Protects against Chemical Damage
Because asphalt is a petroleum-based product, it offers poor resistance to petroleum products and chemicals. Seeing that most of the compounds used in motor vehicles are petroleum-based, you can see how this makes for a challenging situation. Hiring a qualified sealcoating company to ensure your paved surface is at its best will significantly enhance its resistance to the inevitable leaks and spills.
Sealcoating Asphalt Helps Keep it Safe
Did you know that snow and ice melt faster on a properly sealcoated surface? Whether you’re safeguarding your own home or a commercial property where customer or resident safety are paramount, proper sealcoating helps!
Sealcoating Is “Sunscreen” For Your Driveway!
Even if you’re not aware of it, ultraviolet (UV) radiation is beating down and degrading your paved surfaces any time the sun’s out! By providing a durable protective layer, sealcoating helps protect your investment, buying you valuable time before your driveway becomes permeable, cracked, faded, and unsafe.
Sealcoating Saves You Time
If you’ve ever tried to clean a badly cracked or corroded asphalt surface, you know what an ordeal it can be. By comparison, a smooth, properly sealed, and structurally sound driveway is a breeze to maintain. Save yourself time, money, and effort by ensuring your paved surface is in tip-top shape!
How to Choose Among Sealcoating Companies: Your Best Asphalt Sealcoating Options
Does your asphalt driveway or parking area look faded, cracked, or in otherwise poor condition? We can help! As one of the region’s most trusted sealcoating companies, we’re the pros Vancouver and Portland residents and businesses call to get it done right the first time. We’ll bring your driveway or parking lot back to life with an attractive and durable sealcoating treatment that’s made to last for years.