Any homeowner who has an asphalt driveway may not be aware of the fact that a good sealcoating can have immense value in protecting and preserving your driveway. You might also think that fall is too late to have sealcoating applied, so you might be tempted to just put it off until spring or summer. There may be a few challenges associated with sealcoating your driveway in autumn, but it’s still a much better option than having to cope with asphalt repair, or a complete driveway replacement at a later date. If you’re not sure which way to go on your sealcoating, here are some reasons why you should consider having the job done sooner rather than later.
Protection from winter weather
One of the most pressing reasons for sealcoating your driveway is to give it a protective barrier against the extreme cold that you might run into during winter. The alternating freeze and thaw patterns of wintertime can wreak all kinds of havoc on driveways which are not protected. It’s very possible for an asphalt driveway to crack because of this cycle of contraction and expansion. Sealcoating will go a long way toward preventing these cracks from forming in the first place, and it will also prevent water from entering any cracks which already exist. That can stop any further damage from occurring, and help to preserve the life of your asphalt.
Cost-efficient
There is no question that sealcoating your driveway is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make regarding your household. It might very well prevent some extremely costly repairs or even a total replacement later on down the road. When asphalt goes untreated, it is much more likely to need a total replacement in the future, and that can be a major expense. Sealcoating takes far less time than a total replacement would, and obviously it will save you a great deal of money.
Ideal time of year
It can actually be better to have sealcoating done on your driveway in the fall or in the spring, when temperatures tend to be more moderate than they would be in the summertime. In order for sealcoating to be applied, it’s only necessary for the outside temperature to be above 50°F, and there should be no heavy rains in the forecast for 24 hours before or after application. When autumn time rolls around, this can be the perfect time to apply sealcoating to your driveway, because you may hit optimal weather conditions. In addition to that, you will be protecting your asphalt right before the harsh winter conditions move in.
Prolonging pavement life
Your driveway will last for a much longer period of time when you apply a good sealcoating, because it staves off the harsh effects of ultraviolet damage, and of weather-related problems which can occur in winter. Sealcoating will promote a crack-free driveway, and will allow your asphalt to remain smoother, which can extend its useful functioning life by between 10% and 25%.
That means you won’t have to worry about repairs or replacement for a much longer period of time than you would have otherwise. Whether you plan to remain in your home indefinitely, or whether you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, any time that you can extend the life of your driveway, it will be a huge benefit to you. When you have a smooth, attractive-looking driveway, it will add to the resale value of your home, and it will be aesthetically appealing so that you and your neighbors can both appreciate it.
