Frequently Asked Questions
Assuming that the initial asphalt pavement was designed and constructed properly, the primary cause of failure is the penetration of water into the asphalt base. Asphalt failure often begins with the oxidation of an untreated pavement surface which causes the asphalt to become dry and brittle. The top layer of fine particles erodes, exposing the larger aggregate and leading to small cracks on the surface. These cracks will grow if left untreated, allowing water to penetrate to the base of the pavement. When water enters the base of the pavement, the base material shifts and settles leading to further cracking and a depression in the surface. As water pools in the depressed area, the asphalt further deteriorates and becomes unstable. When the pavement reaches this stage, removal and replacement of the old asphalt is often the only remedy.
Periodic and preventative maintenance is the key. Budget money for crack filling on a yearly basis. Typically a few hundred dollars a year in crack filling will save you thousands in patching when resurfacing is required. If deteriorated pavement is caused by poor sub-base conditions, periodic patching may be required to keep those areas from spreading.
Typically not. Pavements are only designed for a 15 year life cycle and random fatigue cracking and slight deteriorations are to be expected. Simply adding a new 2″ surface (Perma-Flex paving overlay) over the existing paving will seal the cracks and deteriorated areas and solve the problem.
Asphalt pavement is usually 95% aggregate, which could be stone, sand, or gravel, and 5% asphalt cement as a binder. The binder is a product of oil refining and acts to glue the aggregates together. The aggregate and asphalt are heated, combined with the recycled material and mixed together. Then we load the hot pavement material into trucks and take it out to the site.
- It costs less to construct and maintain asphalt than alternative pavements.
- Asphalt construction projects can be completed more quickly than alternative pavements.
- Asphalt pavements are the smoothest pavements.
- Asphalt pavements generate less noise than alternative pavements.
- The contrast of the black pavement and white lines make it easier for motorists to understand driving and parking regulations – making asphalt a safer pavement.
- Properly designed, constructed and maintained asphalt pavements last significantly longer than alternative pavements.
- Asphalt is recyclable.
There are a number of steps that you can take to prolong the life of your asphalt and maximize your investment.
- Sealcoat within six months after installing new asphalt.
- Sealcoat every two to three years thereafter.
- Regularly check for longitudinal or transverse cracking and have cracks sealed.
- Patch low areas before cracking develops.
- Minimize irrigation run-off onto your asphalt.
- Work with a quality asphalt maintenance company like Aguilar Blacktop Sealcoating. to develop an asphalt maintenance plan that specifically meets your needs and budget.
Here in New York, our sealcoating season runs from April until the first week in November. Ideally, we recommend that you sealcoat during the months of May – September, when pavement temperature is ideal, as well as the amount of UV rays that can be exposed to the new sealer on the pavement, which is critical for the proper drying and curing of the sealer.
In order to follow manufacturers’ specifications and from our decades of experience in applying sealer, we only apply sealer from the last week of March to the first week in November. Many times some of our competitors apply sealer in December, even in January and February. Unfortunately these contractors are being less than honest and are doing their customers a disservice. Applying sealer during winter months will produce a sealant that will not cure properly and will prematurely wear within a matter of months. Sealer should NOT be applied unless the pavement temperature is at least 50 degrees F and RISING, along with the air temperature being 50 degrees F and RISING. The fusion of the binder particles in the sealant to form a uniform and continuous film depends on their ability to soften under the ideal air temperatures and pavement temperatures. The process of fusion is GREATLY reduced at temperatures below 50 degrees, and even higher temperatures when there is lack of ultra violet light. Also, when sealer is applied below the ideal temperatures, refined tar particles do not soften and form a continuous film, so they leave clay and filler particles (key ingredients in sealer) uncoated. This leaves the sealer a grey and blotchy color. The lack of ultra violet light also plays a huge factor in the proper curing of the sealant. Of course in winter months, the sun in very low in the sky, thus the ultra violet sun rays cannot help in the curing process of sealer. If you are still considering sealcoating your property, please consider performing this work before the last week of October, or else put if off until spring. If you have a contractor who insists on sealcoating during winter months, please re-consider having them do the work. Better yet, give us a call, and we would be more than happy to perform the work under ideal weather conditions, as per manufacturers’ specifications.
From the moment your driveway is installed it begins to be deteriorated by the suns UV rays, water, ice, gasoline and oil. Asphalt pavements are made up of various sizes stones, sand and asphalt cement. The suns UV rays weaken the asphalt cement that hold the stones and sand together, leading to brittle, gray, cracked pavement. Petroleum products such as gasoline and oil break down the asphalt cement as it too is a petroleum product, causing stones to become loose and pot holes to form. Water works its way into the pours asphalt pavement, freezes and cracks begin to form.
Periodic sealcoating will block the UV rays of the sun, resist gas and oil spills, seal out water and ice and beautify your pavement.
Sealcoating doubles the life of asphalt pavements reducing the need for costly repairs and replacement.
It is recommended to reseal asphalt pavements every two years. About half of our clients prefer to reseal every year to take advantage of the beautification portion of the sealcoating process.
Aguilar Blacktop Sealcoating does offer residential crack filling services. However, For cracks over ½” wide we recommend the homeowner to perform so path work to prevent further damage.
If your driveway has oil stains they may show through the sealer. If the stains are fresh to the touch we suggest pre-cleaning them yourself with a degreaser prior to our arrival to seal the driveway. This is the most cost effective way to deal with a few spots on the driveway. If you prefer for an additional cost we will pre-treat the oil stains either with a degreaser or special oil spot primer. And most of the time with fire.
During the summer months of May through August we recommend staying off the driveway with vehicles for 48 hours. After September 1st allow 72 hours or more depending on the temperature. Driveway sealer will dry like paint from the top down. It may feel dry on the surface but may still be wet underneath. You can walk on the driveway as soon as it feels dry to the touch, usually just a few hours in sunny areas. Allow additional time for shady areas at all times.
Yes. You cannot afford to ignore the cracks in pavement. Cracks can be a result of pavement not being properly maintained, poor installation, or simply due to aging. Regardless, cracks allow moisture to seep down into the structure of the pavement and cause serious damage to its structure and the underlying base layers. As cracks grow and get larger, potholes begin to form. Left unrepaired the surrounding areas begin to disintegrate and require major asphalt repairs including a complete resurfacing. This is why crack sealing is so important.
Aguilar Blacktop Sealcoating are Long Island’s crack sealing expert. We’ve saved property owners and businesses many thousands of dollars in costly repairs with this simple procedure.
Is Crack Sealing Expensive?
No. Crack sealing is a very inexpensive procedure. In fact, no single asphalt maintenance procedure is as critical — and cost effective — as asphalt crack sealing. This simple procedure will stop water in its tracks and allow pavement to expand and contract all while creating a barrier against moisture, dirt and chemicals.
To accomplish this, we first clean the cracks from all debris using wire brushes and compressed air. We then fill each crack using a high quality hot pour rubberized material. These materials withstand the changing of the seasons and are best at keeping cracks sealed and moisture free.
If you see large or even the smallest crack in your asphalt pavement, don’t delay. Give us a call for a free estimate
Leaving a parking lot’s asphalt to the whims of nature and vehicles can be a very expensive proposition. Not only will you need to repave the parking lot sooner than necessary if no maintenance is done, your lot can create all sorts of hazards that damage vehicles and injure pedestrians.
Defects on your lot are the responsibility of the owner, and lawsuits filed by people who trip and fall in parking lots can put your business at risk. It is mandatory that your pavement not only look great, but that it remains structurally sound and free of defects such as cracks, depressions and potholes.
Aguilar Blacktop Sealcoating specializes in parking lot maintenance in Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, Bronx, and Brooklyn, New York. We can save your business thousands of dollars in pavement repairs.
Routine parking lot maintenance can ensure that both vehicles and pedestrians will flow through and around your lot without a problem. Aguilar Blacktop and Sealcoating can also keep your pavement looking its best, increasing your businesses curb appeal and attracting new customers.
Once maintenance is complete Aguilar Blacktop Sealcoating can ensure you comply with all ADA regulations. Our parking lot striping and pavement marking professionals are up-to-date on all required markings, Maintenance Experts
Your parking lot’s asphalt has many enemies: water, dirt, oil and other chemitraffic signs and directives.