What does sealcoating do to blacktop? Is it for color only or will your driveway be ruined without it?
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Answers:
Pavement will flex as cars drive on it. This flexing creates small cracks which allow water to seep beneath the surface. During winter, the water will freeze causing the cracks to get larger, letting in more water. The seal coating will fill the cracks, helping to prevent this freeze cycle and prolonging the life of the pavement.
It does sort of seal it and makes it look great. Personally I have a driveway for forty-five years and have not had any problems. If it is a thin coat then it might be advisable.
If you are in a snow area of the country then you should seal it for a longer life span. The aggregate gets revealed more and allow water to get around the stones and freezing of this water can start to deteriorate the surface. I think for the beauty alone and it is not that hard to do it is worth the time and money invested.
Don't make the mistake of over sealing it, wait till it starts to turn a little gray color before sealing it and yes it really does seal it
Some good answers so far. I have to ask WHY seal blacktop?
There is no need certainly.
Consider Highways. NO construction organization on the planet is going back over miles of 4 lane with sealer.
It is called SEALcoating for a reason, and yes you should seal your drive periodically.
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