As a homeowner, you most likely understand the importance of maintenance. From washing the exterior siding and mowing the lawn to replacing broken light bulbs and missing roofing shingles, these tasks protect and enhance the look and value of your home.

Your driveway is also an important part of the home and requires ample care and maintenance to protect its durability and look. Unfortunately, the driveway experiences a great deal of abuse over time, which can lead to discoloration, cracks, and even large potholes.

Thankfully, seal coating is an option for homeowners who want to restore their driveway back to a more appealing and functional state. This guide will help you understand the benefits of seal coating asphalt driveways.

1. Improved Curb Appeal

Think of your driveway as a pathway to the front of your home. As people come to visit or pass by your home, their eyes will be drawn up the driveway to the front of your home. If your driveway is stained or damaged in any way, your home’s curb appeal will suffer.

Cleaning your driveway may remove surface debris and some light stains. However, severe stains, cracks, and holes will require a more involved treatment to restore your driveway back to a more appealing state.

Seal coating covers discoloration and stains on your driveway while filling in minor cracks and damage. The emulsion product can fill in cracks as wide as 1/8 inch.

The process improves curb appeal by enhancing your driveway’s color and surface quality, ensuring that your home’s first impression is a great one.

2. Increased Protection

The driveway’s appearance is not the only thing you need to worry about. Over time, your driveway is exposed to different elements that affect its underlying construction.

For example, water can destroy asphalt over time. Rain, sleet, snow, and ice will build up and seep into minor cracks and holes in the driveway. Over time, the moisture will cause the cracks and holes to expand, destroying the driveway’s surface while eroding the underlying soil.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can fade your driveway as well. In addition, the sun’s UV rays and heat can cause oxidation, which can deteriorate the asphalt surface.

Finally, different chemicals can destroy your asphalt driveway. Oil, gas, paints, stains, and other chemicals that leak from your vehicles or lawn-care equipment will stain and eat through your driveway’s surface.

Not only will seal coating your driveway repair surface discoloration and damage, but it can also add a layer of protection between the asphalt and the various elements. Asphalt driveways typically have a lifespan of around 12 to 20 years. The extra layer of protection from seal coating will extend this lifespan.

3. Financial Savings

Since seal coating seals in small cracks and holes, moisture and other environmental factors cannot seep into the asphalt. Therefore, seal coating reduces the risk of further damage that would normally require costly repairs.

The protective barrier created by seal coating your asphalt also reduces the amount of maintenance your driveway will require. While a periodic cleaning is helpful for removing light dirt, dust, and debris, your seal-coated asphalt driveway will not require time or money for numerous cleaning and caulking products.

Although costs are based on the level of damage and the size of your driveway, seal coating is less expensive than repairing or replacing your entire asphalt driveway. If you want to update the look and prevent further damage without spending a fortune, seal coating will most likely be your best option.

Most experts recommend seal coating asphalt driveways once every year. To get started improving your driveway, contact JR Paving Co Inc today.