What You Need to Know About Sealcoating

If you want a long-lasting driveway that looks like new for years to come, sealcoating is your best friend. If you aren't already familiar with sealcoating, the experts at Roccie's Paving are here to provide you with everything you need to know...

What is sealcoating?

Sealcoating is the application of a specialized spray to a paved surface. As evident by its name, a sealcoat is literally a coat that acts as a sealant, helping to preserve the asphalt surface.

What are the benefits of sealcoating?

First and foremost, regularly sealcoating your asphalt surface can greatly extend it's lifespan. A sealcoat provides an extra layer of defense, helping to protect your driveway or parking lot against damage from water, oil, UV rays, and other elements that may cause premature deterioration. A fresh sealcoat can also restore the rich black color of an asphalt surface, patch up several small cracks at once, and provide extra traction in slippery conditions.

How often should I sealcoat my driveway?

As a general rule of thumb, you should sealcoat your driveway or parking lot once every 3-5 years. However, your surface could require more frequent sealcoating based on the type and size of your surface, as well environmental factors.

Is sealcoating expensive?

Not at all. Sealcoating can usually be applied for just pennies per square foot. When you take into account the cost of resurfacing or repaving a damaged driveway, sealcoating is a very smart investment.

Where can I find a qualified contractor to sealcoat my driveway or parking lot?

If you live in Fairfield County, CT or Westchester County, NY, look no further than Roccie's Paving for all of your asphalt installation and maintenance needs. With more than 50 years of experience and an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, we give you peace of mind knowing that your driveway is in good hands. Call us today for a free estimate at 888-88-ROCCIES.

3 Reasons to Sealcoat Your Driveway

Thinking about sealcoating your driveway, but not sure if it's worth your time and money? Here are three reasons why it's one of the best decisions you can make for your asphalt driveway.

Reason #1: Sealcoating provides an extra layer of defense.

Asphalt is durable, but it's not invincible. Water, gas and oil spills, and the sun's ultraviolet rays can all call cause asphalt to deteriorate. Luckily, a fresh sealcoat adds an extra layer of defense to help protect against these elements.

Reason #2: A fresh sealcoat makes your driveway look better.

Is your driveway faded or riddled with small cracks? Sealcoating can repair minor surface damage and restore the deep black finish of a freshly-paved driveway – proof that it is just as visually appealing as it is functional.

Reason #3: Sealcoating offers a good return on investment.

Sealcoating your driveway is a relatively cheap process, often costing just pennies per square foot. Resurfacing or repaving your driveway, on the other hand, is a much bigger investment, and can cost upwards of $4 per square foot. Take into account that a routine sealcoating can double the lifespan of your driveway, and its easy to see why it is a sound financial decision.

Sometimes, unfortunately, sealcoating isn't enough. While it is a good solution for minor surface damage, deep cracks and potholes may require resurfacing from a professional contractor. If you live in Fairfield County, CT or Westchester County, NY, look no further than Roccie's Asphalt for all of your paving needs. Visit our website to learn more, or give us a call at 888-88-ROCCIES.

What Sealcoating Will and Will Not Do

Sealcoating is essential for the longevity of any asphalt surface, and it offers many benefits when done correctly. While it is a staple of every asphalt maintenance routine, it has a specific purpose and is not a magical cure for all of your problems. Many paving contractors will oversell sealcoating just to get your money, avoid getting ripped off and read below to understand exactly what you will and will not get from sealcoating your asphalt surface.

A professionally-applied sealcoat WILL:

• Help extend the lifespan of your driveway or parking lot. Sealcoating adds a protective layer to the top of your pavement to help protect it from premature deterioration due to the sun, water, and oil spills.
• Waterproof the surface. This prevents water from penetrating your driveway and freezing underground – this is what causes cracks and potholes.
• Enhance the appearance. If your pavement has faded, a fresh sealcoat will restore the deep black finish of a new driveway. The darker color will also help snow and ice melt faster because it retains more of the sun's heat.
• Make cleaning easier. Sealcoating creates a smooth surface which allows dirt and other debris to be easily swept or hosed off.

Sealcoating WILL NOT:

• Reverse damage. If your asphalt surface is riddled with cracks and potholes, sealcoating will not restore it to a smooth condition – your only choice at this point is to repave.
• Level your driveway. If your driveway is sloped or uneven, sealcoating will not help.
• Fix drainage problems. In fact, it may make your existing drainage problems worse because it waterproofs the surface. If you are experiencing the pooling of water on your driveway, contact a professional paving contractor to explore your options.

Interested in learning the right way to solve your asphalt problems? Give the paving experts at Roccie's Asphalt a call; we will work with you to identify the root cause of your problems and offer a free estimate for the cost of fixing them. We serve Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY so give us a call today at 1-888-88-ROCCIES.

3 Benefits of Sealcoating Your Driveway

If your home has an asphalt driveway, you know that a paving isn't cheap. A brand new asphalt surface can cost up to $4 per square foot or more in some cases, so you will want to do everything you can to protect your investment. One of the best things you can do to preserve your driveway is to sealcoat it every 3 to 5 years. Sealcoating your driveways adds a protective layer to defend the asphalt surface against UV rays, water, and oil or gasoline spills.


Here are three reasons why you should sealcoat your asphalt driveway.

• Extend the life of your driveway. Without proper care, an asphalt driveway may only last 7-10 years, but that can be doubled with a good maintenance plan. Uncoated asphalt is susceptible to damage from water, UV rays, petroleum distillates (gas and oil) and other elements. A professional quality sealcoat will help keep these elements from penetrating the surface of your driveway and deteriorating its base.
  
• A fresh finish. Remember how your asphalt driveway looked when it was freshly paved? Chances are it doesn't look like that anymore – sunlight causes the color of asphalt to fade after only a year or two. A new sealcoat will restore your driveway to that beautiful, deep black finish that you remember.
  
• Winter weather defense. A sealcoat is the perfect defense against winter weather. The dark black color will attract more sunlight to your driveway, thus allowing ice and snow to melt faster. A new sealcoat with sand mixed in will also provide more traction in slippery conditions, making your driveway safer for all. Winter is also the season where your driveway is most vulnerable to developing potholes due to the constant freezing and thawing of water, so applying sealer will help keep the asphalt flexible for a longer period of time to help prevent premature cracking.
  

Sealcoating can be done as a DIY project, but to fully reap the benefits it is recommended that you hire a professional service. Homeowners in Connecticut and New York can count on Roccie's Asphalt to provide a high quality sealcoat at just pennies per square foot. Contact us for a free estimate today by calling 1-888-88ROCCIES.

4 Signs That It's Time To Sealcoat Your Driveway

A freshly-paved asphalt driveway is smooth, jet black, and pleasing to look at. Unfortunately, that won't be true forever – not without a little bit of maintenance anyhow. To keep your driveway beautiful and strong, you will need to take proper care of it. The first good step in any driveway maintenance routine is sealcoating, which adds a protective layer to the top of your driveway. Read below to learn when it could be time for you to sealcoat your driveway.

• Small Cracks: Small cracks are a warning sign that you should get your driveway sealcoated immediately, before they become too large. Small cracks can usually be filled with a sealcoat, however if they become too large, you will need to patch them with hot asphalt mix, or in extreme cases, pay to have your driveway completely repaved.
• Faded Color: Has your driveway began to lose its deep black finish over the years? If your asphalt has faded to a grayish-black color, a sealcoating can restore the surface to the rich black that you remember when it was first paved.
• Winter Is Coming: Homeowners in cold-weather climates should be especially proactive when it comes to sealcoating, as winter weather causes the most damage to asphalt. A fresh sealcoat helps prevent water from penetrating your asphalt surface and freezing, which is the main cause of cracks and potholes.
• It's Been 5 Years: If it has been more than five years since your last sealcoating, it is in your best interest to consider calling a local paving contractor. It is an industry best practice to apply a new sealcoat every 3-5 years in order to preserve the look and structural integrity of your driveway.

If you live in Connecticut or western New York, you can take advantage of a reasonably-priced, high-quality sealcoating from Roccie's Asphalt. Since 1956, we have provided homes and businesses with asphalt driveway and parking lot paving and maintenance services. To learn more about what we can do for you, call us for a free quote at 1-888-88ROCCIES.