Does Your Asphalt Drive Need A New Seal Coat? 3 Signs That The Answer Is Yes

A good seal coat on your asphalt driveway will help to protect it from damage and extend its lifespan. Unfortunately, this seal coat will wear off over time and need to be replaced. While some contractors recommend asphalt seal coating every few years, the truth is that there is no set amount of time that it takes for this top coat to wear down. This is because things such as heavy traffic and local weather conditions can impact how often your driveway needs to be resealed. That is why it is important to know what signs to look for when determining whether or not your driveway needs to be sealed. You can learn more about some of these signs below.

Alligator Cracks

There are actually many different types of cracks that can develop in your asphalt. However, when checking for signs of a compromised top coat, you will want to look for a specific type of crack known as alligator cracking. As you may already suspect, this type of cracking gets its name from the fact that it creates patterns that look like alligator skin. Alligator cracks are most frequently caused by the need for a fresh seal coat. 

Fading Color

One of the roles that asphalt seal coating plays is protecting your driveway from UV rays. If your driveway is not properly protected, you will notice that the color of your driveway begins to fade. If not addressed promptly, you will be left with a driveway that is more of an ash gray than jet black. If you notice that your driveway is beginning to fade in color, you will want to reach out to a paving contractor before your driveway suffers more serious damage. 

Your Neighbors 

Normally, watching your neighbors and copying their actions is not really a great idea. However, there is an exception to this rule when it comes to asphalt seal coating. This is because many of the factors that influence how often your driveway needs to be sealed will be the same for all of the houses in your area. For example, most of the houses on your street were likely built around the same time and were exposed to the same weather conditions. Consequently, if you notice that several of your neighbors have gotten their driveway sealed this year, there is a good chance that your driveway is due for a fresh top coat as well.   

For more information about seal coating, contact a local company.