Nothing enhances your property’s curb appeal faster than a new stretch of asphalt pavement. Freshly installed asphalt has a rich, deep color that is not found in other pavements. However, as the years pass, asphalt pavement can begin to show signs of age and wear, leaving many property owners to question whether they need to repave or just have new sealcoating applied.
Question – Paving or Sealcoating?
When Sealcoating Can Help
If the primary problems with the pavement are straight-line cracks and faded color, you can probably extend the life of your pavement through sealcoating. Sealants restore the dark color that asphalt have when it is new and helps prevent fading in the future. Cracks, potholes or other damaged areas will need to be repaired prior to sealcoating. Sealcoating is unlikely to cover all evidence of a repair, however, so if appearance is of the utmost importance and your pavement has several areas of damage, you may not get the results you want from sealcoating.
Sealcoating is an essential part of prolonging the life of asphalt pavement. It helps prevent oxidation, slows the fading process and helps keep automotive fluids from penetrating to the asphalt and causing it to deteriorate. Depending on the volume and type of traffic that the pavement receives, fresh sealcoating should be applied about every two years or at the interval recommended by your contractor. If you find that you need to repave, remember to schedule your sealcoating so that you will obtain a greater return on your investment.
When You Need to Repave
If your asphalt pavement has become an eyesore as well as a safety hazard, you might think that you need to have it all torn out and rebuilt. In some cases, this may be your only option. However, many times, an asphalt overlay is a cost-effective solution, providing you with a pavement that will have virtually the same appearance and longevity as a newly built pavement. Overlays are an excellent choice for pavement that shows the signs of numerous repairs or that has severely discolored. However, if the pavement’s foundation has been seriously eroded, there may be low spots in numerous locations or extensive alligator cracking. Since base repairs require the removal of the existing pavement, if the damaged areas account for more than about 35 percent of the pavement’s total surface, it may be more cost-effective to rebuild the pavement than to perform patchwork repairs and install an overlay.
Obtain an Evaluation from a Reputable Contractor
At times, property owners think that their asphalt pavement is too damaged to repair. For example, they may mistake cracks in the sealcoating — which are often a sign that the sealcoating was applied incorrectly — for alligator cracking of the pavement. At other times, however, property owners may believe that their pavement is in better shape than the evidence shows. They might believe that the depressions are the result of normal wear from heavy vehicles or that alligator cracking can be remedied with an inexpensive patch. Reputable, experienced, asphalt contractors can conduct an inspection of your asphalt pavement if you want to make sure whether you should repave or sealcoat.
Trust Alpha Paving for Your Pavement Needs
Alpha Paving Industries is an asphalt paving contractor in Austin, TX. Alpha Paving offers an extensive range of asphalt and concrete services, including asphalt overlays, sealcoating, crack repairs, parking lot striping, pothole repairs, pavement markings, milling, asphalt maintenance, speed bumps, road construction and concrete paving. We are committed to providing exceptional work at competitive rates. Our customers include HOAs, airports, apartment complexes, schools, subdivisions, municipalities, churches, shopping malls, office parks, hospitals, hotels and industrial facilities. To request a free quote, simply submit the online form or call (512) 677-9001.
