Jacksonville sealcoating prevents the adhesive qualities of asphalt’s binder from being broken down to the point of failure. In fact, the largest benefit of sealcoating is a cost effective means of preventing premature pavement wear for just a few cents per square foot.
Asphalt pavement is a mixture of aggregates (crushed stone) and binders that acts as a glue to hold the mixture together. Over time, the UV rays from the sun breakdown the binding materials holding together the aggregates, allowing moisture to fill the voids subjecting it to expanding and contacting impacting the integrity of the pavement. This breakdown of the binder can be seen as the color of the pavement turns from a rich black to grey. As this process continues the binding materials become weak to the point of releasing their bond to the aggregates, this is when cracks and potholes develop.
Acphalt sealcoating in Jacksonville stops the harmful effects on asphalt of weather including the damaging effects of oxidation, and the penetration of water and other elements. The sun’s ultraviolet rays harden and dry out the asphalt pavement surface. This accelerates raveling and erosion and can reduce asphalt thickness in just a few years. This important process greatly extends the service life of the pavement while enhancing its appearance.
Unsealed asphalt is subject to oxidation drying it out and deteriorating the asphaltic binder. When this happens, the pavement loses flexibility and small will begin to cracks develop. Water, chemicals, and other substances penetrate the surface of the pavement and deterioration rapidly progresses.