APOLLO ASPHALT: Sealcoat All asphalt deteriorates from exposure to air, sun, rain, freezing weather and snow; from wear of traffic and hardening of the asphalt surface. If not maintained, cracks and breaks allow moisture to seep in, the gravel base becomes soft, potholes appear and expensive replacement is necessary. Name a product that is conducive to oxidation and you most likely will find a protective coating on it. This also is true with asphalt. Over the last twenty years, we have seen the price of asphalt pavement go from $4.00 a ton to nearly $30.00 a ton. Not only has asphalt pavement become an economic factor, but the quality has been drastically reduced. When the oil crunch came along public agencies and oil companies decided to change the specifications of liquid asphalt. This allowed the refiners to squeeze more products out of the crude oil and helped reduce the prices of asphalt residual. The result was an inferior product. Sealcoating helps to: SUNBLOCK Premium Sealers prevent asphalt surface oxidation by forming a tough, protective skin. WEATHERPROOF Sealcoating shuts out water by sealing away the naturally porous surface of asphalt. RESTORE APPEARANCE Sealers provide the jet black finish and fresh, new appearance to asphalt. Well-maintained asphalt makes any business or home look more attractive. RESIST GAS AND OIL Premium sealers protect asphalt from the deteriorating effects of gasoline, oil, de-icers and other harsh chemicals. SAVE MONEY Replacing asphalt can be expensive. Spending a few cents per square foot for premium sealcoat protection makes good economic sense. When asphalt is left unsealed to bake in the sun, ultraviolet rays destroy the strength and flexibility of the asphalt, leaving it brittle and cracked. These cracks, even hairline cracks, absorb water from rain and melting snow. When this water freezes, it expands and widens the cracks. Unsealed asphalt is also vulnerable to gas and oil leaks, which soften and pit the surface. 1-First Stage Sunlight and oxidation weaken the asphalt binder that holds the blacktop surface together. 2-Second Stage The surface becomes brittle, tiny hairline cracks appear. Aggregate raveling creates rough patches on the surface. 3-Third Stage Cracks deepen into the subsurface, further damaging the integrity of the asphalt. Water penetration and the freeze/thaw cycle widen cracks. Quality Seal coatings will seal up the surface voids, replace fines (aggregates) and minimize water penetration and surface erosion. All Armor Seal sealers significantly reduce the damaging effect of spilled fuel and oil because of their resistance to petroleum. Another benefit of Armor Seal is the cosmetic improvement it will make to the pavement. Armor Seal coatings have a natural flat black color not unlike that of a new asphalt pavement, and have become increasingly popular in unifying the color of renovated parking lots. Asphalt pavements begin to age from the minute they are laid in place. Volatile oils or cut back thinners that give the pavement it's flexibility are baked out by the sun and evaporate. From this point on asphalt continues to dry out to the point of becoming brittle. At some point in time the asphalt becomes too brittle and cracks begin to form as the pavement is no longer flexible. These cracks allow moisture to penetrate beneath the asphalt which in turn causes the base underneath the asphalt to fail or erode. This cycle of cracking followed by moisture penetration leads to more cracking and more base failure, and ultimately ends in total pavement failure. Armor Seal coatings applied to pavement will seal off the surface and prevent these asphaltic oils from escaping, thus delaying the aging process and locking in the all-important flexibility. |
