Schell Sealcoating

While asphalt may be a highly recyclable material (more than 70 percent of the asphalt used in new highway construction is recycled asphalt) you want to get the most life out of your driveway. Sealing it is the best protection you can provide.

It’s important to remember that not all types of paving projects are suitable for the rugged DIY homeowner. Since the overall quality of your pavement seal relies on the type of product used and the expertise of the person applying it, it’s wise to leave this job to the professionals.

If you are thinking about having your driveway sealed, it is a good idea to make an appointment early. Due to the nature of sealants, they have to be applied above a certain temperature. Once things heat up, things start getting busy. Make sure you are at the front of the line.

The frequency of sealing your driveway or other pavement depends on the weather patterns, how much wear and tear the substrate is subjected to, and if it is made from asphalt or concrete.

Currently, it's estimated that asphalt covers about 94 percent of all paved roads in the country. Asphalt is the runaway choice for parking lots, runways at airports, tennis courts, driveways and anywhere in which a surface that is smooth and long-lasting is required.

Did you know that consistent pavement sealer applications will reduce the cost of pavement maintenance and replacement? Because sealed asphalt surfaces are less prone to crumbling and cracking, they last much longer than unprotected surfaces.

Pavement sealants are formulated to be flexible, not rigid. Because asphalt contracts and expands in response to cold and heat, sealants are designed to bond to the surface and flex along with the base material.

Do you consider yourself fairly handy around the house? Remember, sealing your own driveway is time-consuming and you won’t get the same level of guarantee from the product you use as you will from us.

Did you know that cracks in your pavement allow moisture, chemicals like gas and oil, and the sun’s ultraviolet rays to pe*****te your driveway? This can accelerate pavement breakdown if you fail to address the issue properly.

Pavement sealcoats act as waterproofing agents, thereby minimizing the rate at which water is able to enter the asphalt. This works to protect against the cracks that inevitably will develop due to freeze and thaw cycles.

With asphalt pavement, over time, the sun’s ultraviolet rays will cause the cement to break down, where the mixture of the asphalt, stone particles, and sand start to come apart. Pavement sealing works to prevent this phenomenon, thereby increasing the lifespan of the pavement.

One of the benefits of pavement sealing is that it improves the appearance of new and old pavement, making your surface look near brand new. The pavement will also look cleaner for longer, as rain washes dirt and debris easily from the smooth, nonporous sealed surface.

Were you aware that petroleum product, like oil and gas, causes damage to asphalt? The reason for its poor resistance is that asphalt itself is a petroleum product. With the right type of sealant, petroleum products won’t soften the structure.

After being exposed to sunlight for a long period of time, your asphalt driveway eventually begins to lose its flexibility as the aggregate starts to break apart. This leads to cracking, the loss of big chunks of asphalt, and overall deterioration of the surface.

If desired, color additives are available, so you can enhance or restore the color of the materials being sealed. If this is something that interests you, we can go over what would work best with your substrate.