How Can You Tell If Your Private Road Needs To Be Sealcoated This Summer?

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Sealcoating your asphalt roadway closes its pores, which prevents water from penetrating the asphalt. Water penetration beneath the asphalt can cause the base beneath the roadway to become destabilized, which can lead to the early deterioration of the road. Asphalt that needs to be sealcoated will crack and crumble more quickly. 

How can you tell if your private road needs to be sealcoated this summer?

An asphalt road that needs to be sealcoated will have turned a light gray color. In addition, asphalt that needs to be sealcoated will absorb water droplets whereas water droplets on properly sealcoated asphalt will bead up and roll off. 

Is it possible to sealcoat your own private road?

Yes, it is possible. Depending on how long your private road is, sealcoating could take a very long time. However, the products you need to sealcoat asphalt are available for purchase in home improvement centers and hardware stores, so you can do it on your own.

What's the procedure for sealcoating?

If you wish to sealcoat your own roadway, follow these steps:

1. Clear out all the debris. Remove rocks, twigs, weeds and other bits of debris caught in the cracks of the roadway. Some weeds may need to be yanked, rocks can be swept out with a broom.
2. Make any small repairs. Use crack filler to fill the cracks in your roadway. Once a bead of crack filler is laid down over a crack, use a long-handled squeegee to flatten it out over the asphalt. Crack filler is sold in hardware stores and home improvement centers. Different types of crack filler are used for cracks of different widths. Be sure to match your crack filler to the width of the cracks being filled.
3. Patch any small holes. Purchase asphalt patch for small potholes in your road, and follow all instructions for pothole patching and repair. The instructions for using asphalt patch may vary from one manufacturer to the next. Wait for the patch and crack repair to cure before proceeding to the next step.
4. Pour sealcoat over the roadway and spread it around with a long-handled squeegee. Spread the sealcoat over the roadway, starting at one end and moving to the other. Wear old clothes for this, because you will probably ruin them. Continue this process until the roadway has been totally sealcoated.

What are the benefits of paying for professional sealcoating services?

If your private road is long enough, you'll be able to save yourself a lot of time by paying for a paving contractor. In addition, paving contractors may have access to better quality sealcoating materials than what is sold commercially at hardware stores. Finally, of your roadway is in an advanced state of disrepair, your paving contractor may be able to make recommendations for more dramatic repairs that will better extend the life of the roadway. For more information, or for a quote for service, talk to an asphalt paving contractor (such as LSC Construction Services, Inc.) in your area.  

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26 May 2016