Some ideas sound better than they work. Using a safety pin to repair a broken fan belt on your car may sound like a good idea until you actually try it. Adding liquid laundry soap to the dishwasher when you run out of dishwashing detergent sounds all right until you find your kitchen flooded. Filling cracks in your asphalt with sealant is another idea that sounds good in theory but does not work out as you would like.
Consider the role that sealcoating plays in protecting your asphalt pavement. It forms a hard shell that must withstand the weight of vehicles traveling across the pavement and is durable enough to help eliminate marks on the asphalt from cars turning or braking suddenly. It seals out automotive fluids, such as gasoline, oil and power steering fluid, that cause asphalt to deteriorate. Sealcoating is formulated to provide the best protection for your asphalt; it performs best as an inflexible, hard covering.
Think of the stresses placed on your asphalt pavement. It expands during the heat of summer and contracts when winter weather turns cold. It supports the weight of traffic without breaking. Therefore, it must be flexible to perform properly.
You are probably beginning to see why sealer is a poor substitute for hot-pour asphalt when it comes to filling cracks. The sealant will be too brittle, and it will not follow the expand-and-contract cycle of the asphalt surrounding the crack. The sealcoating will deteriorate quickly, leaving you with an open crack that can allow water to reach the foundation and erode it. If this happens, you could be facing repairs that will cost you much more than having cracks professionally filled.
Winter temperatures can exacerbate cracks in asphalt pavement, so it is important to have them repaired before cold weather arrives. The professionals at MH Greeson Paving can help. We are an asphalt maintenance company offering a wide range of services to customer in most locations in North Georgia, including Atlanta. We are committed to providing the best results at reasonable prices. Whether you need to have your parking lot sealed, cracks repaired, pavement marked or any other asphalt-related maintenance service, you can count on us to give you the personal attention and quality work that you need. Submit our online form to ask for a free estimate, or call our office at 770-335-2983 to discuss your project with one of our friendly, professional staff members.
