Category Archives: Asphalt

Why Is Asphalt Temperature so Important?

There’s a reason you don’t see contractors paving asphalt surfaces in extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. Extreme temperatures can cause the asphalt mixture to improperly cool and harden, leaving:

• Weak spots
• Consistency issues
• Water infiltration
• Rough surfaces

This ultimately leads to having to replace asphalt much sooner than expected, which can add a serious financial strain on a new homeowner or business. That’s why it is so important to get the temperature right when mixing, pouring, and smoothing out asphalt surfaces. Read More →

Picking the right time of year to lay a new asphalt surface is important, especially in areas like Seattle that experience harsh winters. 

So, when is the best time of year to lay asphalt? Well, it all depends on the temperature – and not just outside.  There are three different temperatures that play a role in laying the perfect asphalt surface: Read More →

Should I Resurface or Replace Asphalt

Cracking in your asphalt driveway, parking lot, or walkways is inevitable. Most small cracks can be easily repaired with asphalt filler available from a home improvement store. However, asphalt owners must be diligent about patching damaged asphalt as soon as cracks appear to avoid more expensive repairs. Sealcoating asphalt regularly is also a very important, but often overlooked maintenance task. Read More →

Asphalt Sealcoating FAQs

What is sealcoating?

Asphalt sealcoating is the process of covering an asphalt surface with a protective sealant to prevent oxidation of the asphalt’s binding agent due to exposure to the elements. The sealant is typically made of bituminous based products or acrylics.

• What are the benefits of asphalt sealcoating?

  • Protection from the elements
  • Slip-resistant
  • Improved surface appearance
  • Extends asphalt life
  • Saves your money

Read More →

Benefits of Asphalt Paving

Asphalt remains the gold standard for paving in the United States, and for good reason. Asphalt paving provides benefits that you just can’t get with other paving materials, including:

• Durability

The durability of asphalt paving material is almost unmatched. Asphalt is laid down in layers, adding to its overall strength. If the top layer is damaged, it can simply be recycled and re-laid, leaving the bottom layers intact. Overlays can also be used on top of the surface of the asphalt to improve its durability. Read More →

How Summer Heat Affects My Parking Lot

The summer sun beats down on everything, including parking lots. The asphalt is just no match for the sun’s brutal rays, and without proper care, the summer heat will eventually destroy it. Just some of the problems you may experience during hotter months include:

• Cracks

One of the most common asphalt problems due to heat are cracks, which eventually turn into potholes. Cracking is more prominent on older surfaces, but even new asphalt can fall victim to cracking with prolonged heat exposure. Sealcoating on schedule is the best way to prevent cracks from forming. Once the crack starts and water begins to seep in, you’ve got an inevitable pothole on the way. Read More →

Why Seal Coating Asphalt is Essential

The rationale for seal coating your asphalt driveway, roadway, or parking lot is simple…it saves you money! Proper asphalt maintenance requires it to be resealed at least every 4-5 years and more often if needed. This ensures you will continue enjoying your asphalt’s many benefits for as long as possible. A few of the reasons for seal coating your asphalt surface on the recommended schedule is:

• Seal coating saves you money.

Asphalt is revered for its lower cost and long lifespan, but that lifespan can be shortened significantly without proper care. Seal coating provides moisture and UV protection along with filling in any small surface cracks that develop. In comparison with replacing broken or cracked chunks of asphalt, seal coating is a much less expensive option. Seal coating on the recommended schedule will make sure your asphalt surface stays in great shape as long as possible. Read More →

Best Time of Year to Sealcoat My Asphalt

Nothing improves a driveway or parking lot’s appearance more than a fresh, dark coat of asphalt. Just like a bright green lawn generates stronger curb appeal for a home, a well-maintained asphalt surface helps the home or building look more attractive and appealing. 

However, just like that green lawn, an asphalt surface cannot remain in perfect condition without a maintenance schedule. Sealcoating is one of the most essential maintenance components that should be provided to asphalt surfaces every few years. 

The Basics of Sealcoating

Since asphalt bears the brunt of everything, from torrential rain and oil spills to heavy traffic and intense sun exposure, it’s inevitable that it will deteriorate and fade with time. Sealcoating is the process of helping asphalt look brand new again by covering worn asphalt with a new asphalt emulsion spray.  Read More →

When Should I Repair My Asphalt?

Black asphalt is used on flat surfaces everywhere, from driveways to parking lots and roads. This paving material offers many important benefits like durability, aesthetic appeal, and ease of maintenance. 

However, that doesn’t mean that asphalt lasts forever in perfect condition. As the seasons change, it’s important for you to carefully evaluate it and identify which maintenance steps you need to take to help your driveway look like new. 

You Find Long, Straight Cracks

If your driveway contains one or two long, significant cracks running from one side to the other, your driveway is most likely trying to say, “Help me immediately!”  Read More →

Should You Resurface Your Asphalt Driveway or Replace It Entirely?

When it comes to most things, it is cheaper to repair something than to replace it. But when it comes to your asphalt driveway, that might not be the case. In fact, cutting corners when fixing your driveway can cause problems with your vehicle and cause a trip hazard for your family or guests. At the same time, you don’t want to spend more money than you need to. Here’s how to tell if you should resurface your driveway or have it replaced.

How pitted is your asphalt driveway?

If you never sealed your driveway and have had it for a few years, you’re probably noticing some pitting or small potholes in the surface. If you have a lot of pits in your driveway, you might need to have it replaced instead of repaired. If those pits become potholes or cover the majority of your driveway, you probably should replace it.

Read More →