Asphalt is one of the most popular materials used for driveways in Maryland for good reason. They are tough, able to withstand the four distinct seasons we experience here. They also look great and add a lot of curb appeal to properties when they are properly maintained. This maintenance comes in two forms – sealcoating and resurfacing. If you’ve noticed that your asphalt driveway doesn’t look quite as new as used to, you may need either of these two services. But which one should you choose, and how often will you need these services in the future? Here are some tips to help you make sense of your options.
Sealcoating Your Asphalt Driveway
Cracks in your asphalt driveway will lead to damage in the sublayers over time, accelerating the process of degradation. Sealcoating acts as a way to delay this process. It involves applying a liquid sealant on top of your pavement. This sealant fills in the cracks and seals the surface from the elements. Dry weather conditions and a temperature between 50-90 degrees are necessary for the sealcoating process – this ensures that the sealant affixes to the surface properly. On average, driveways will need to be sealcoated every 3 to 5 years to prolong its lifespan.
Resurfacing Your Asphalt Driveway
After some time, you’ll notice that your driveway has several cracks and shallow patches that can’t be fixed with sealcoating. Resurfacing is usually the answer to help freshen the look of your driveway and prolong its lifespan by about 8 to 15 years.
Inspect your driveway and look for these factors to determine if you should plan to resurface:
- The foundation is still solid
- The driveway is 20 years old or less
- Cracks are smaller than 1/4 inch in width and less than 2 inches deep
- Overall, 30% or less of the driveway needs repairs
There’s no surefire measurement of when in the asphalt’s lifespan that you’ll need to plan a resurfacing project. Most of it will depend on the climate conditions during its lifespan, as well as how well you have maintained the driveway since it was created.
All of Your Landscaping and Asphalt Needs from Atlantic Maintenance Group
Atlantic Maintenance Group is a full-service landscaping company providing maintenance, design, and construction, as well as snow removal and asphalt and concrete services. We are your source for complete landscape and facility maintenance for commercial and residential properties throughout Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. We are a self-performing landscaping company, meaning we don’t hire subcontractors, and senior management is involved with every project. Our highly trained team of professionals receives constant, ongoing education on the latest industry trends, updates, and safety measures. This ensures we can deliver outstanding customer service and results to our clients, regardless of the size of your job.