Asphalt paving and sealcoating are two different products involving two very different procedures. Paving is the process of installing asphalt pavement over a compacted base to build driveways, roads or parking lots. Sealcoating is a protective coating that is applied to asphalt pavement.
Think about a fine wooden table. If left unprotected, the wood will begin to dry out. It can pick up water stains if glasses are placed on top of it. If exposed to sunlight, the wood can dry, crack or fade. To protect the wood, you might place a glass top over it, or you might use furniture wax to help it maintain its moisture.
The relationship between sealcoating and asphalt pavement is a similar one.
• When exposed to the sun’s rays, asphalt pavement can lose its moisture content and begin to crumble. Sealcoating helps to block the sun’s harmful radiation, which helps the asphalt retain its moisture.
• Because automotive fluids are petroleum-based products, if leaks reach the asphalt, these fluids will try to re-combine with the petroleum in the asphalt, damaging the pavement. Sealcoating can slow such penetration dramatically, giving you more time to clean leaks before they can damage your pavement.
• Just as polishing your wood furniture can restore its shine, sealcoating can make asphalt pavement more lustrous and deepen its color.
• With proper care, asphalt pavement can last for many years before it must be replaced. Sealcoating requires periodic reapplications. Depending on the use to which the pavement is subjected, applications may be needed annually, every two years or even every five years.
• Asphalt pavement is normally several inches deep. Sealcoating is a very thin layer that does not affect the height of the pavement.
• Asphalt paving may be considered a capital expenditure if the area is extensive or a normal expense if the job is to repair a portion of an existing surface. Sealcoating is virtually always considered a preventive maintenance expense.
MH Greeson Paving serves Atlanta and most of North Georgia, including the greater Atlanta area. We offer a wide range of asphalt-related services, including paving, asphalt sealcoating, parking lot markings and repairs. Our crews provide exceptional results at reasonable rates. If you would like to receive a free quote, you can either submit our online form or call 770-335-2983.
