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“When can I sealcoat my new pavement?”

We hear this question a lot from our customers. And we get it: Now that you’ve installed your brand-new driveway or parking lot, you’re eager to do everything you can to preserve it. Understandably, you’re wondering how soon you can lay down a fresh coat of sealant to ensure long-lasting protection. However, this is not something you want to rush.

In fact, when it comes to sealing new pavement, patience is key.

Here’s what you need to know.

You Must Wait for Asphalt to Cure

Applying sealcoat too soon after new asphalt has been installed will lead to the retention of excessive oil. Instead, you must wait for the asphalt to oxidize and cure before sealing it. So, how long does that take?

It depends.

While it can take several months—even up to a year—for asphalt to completely cure, you don’t need to wait that long. It just needs to be cured enough that a sufficient amount of the asphalt’s oil has been released. This usually takes about 30 days. You’ll know it’s ready when the surface has gone from black to dark gray, and it’s no longer soft. 

Here in Texas, you’re lucky. The power of the sun down here means your asphalt will cure more quickly. However, if we encounter a humid spell, the process might slow down a bit. Since there are so many external variables, we advise waiting a minimum of 30 days before sealcoating. Other paving contractors even recommend waiting up to 90 days! 

As long as your asphalt appears to have cured, though, you should be okay. 

But if you have any questions or want our expert advice about sealcoating new asphalt, don’t hesitate to call United Asphalt Paving!

How do you get your driveway to last as long as possible?

One of the best thing you can do for the health of your driveway is to keep erosion at a minimum. Thankfully, United Asphalt Paving is here to help you with that.

So, here’s what we recommend doing to keep your asphalt driveway from eroding. 

1. Direct Water Away From Your Driveway

When you have gutters that are consistently driving water onto your driveway—whether it’s because your gutters are clogged and overflowing, or because your downspouts aren’t doing a sufficient job at controlling waterflow—the paved surface will gradually erode.

So, first things first: Keep your gutters clean. They should be cleaned at least once a year, but twice a year is optimal. This will prevent overflow.

Next: Install a downspout system that directs gutter runoff to other parts of your property (ideally parts that are sloping away from your driveway).

2. Block Water From Entering Your Driveway

If water tends to stream downwards from your lawn onto your driveway, you may need to install a physical barrier of some kind to keep the water away.

You can do this yourself without hiring a contractor by arranging natural stones or pavers along the edges of your driveway.

However, for the most effective runoff control, you may want to invest a professionally installed border and drainage system. 

3. Sealcoat Your Driveway

Finally, sealcoating is a foolproof way to prevent water intrusion and subsequent erosion. This should be done every three to five years for optimal protection. 

The lifespan of your asphalt driveway is influenced by a lot of factors.

Going by averages, you can expect yours to last for about 20 years—however, the lifespan can be longer or shorter depending on things like what kind of environment you’re in, how well you maintain it, and how tolerant you are of visual disrepair. 

Keep reading for more details!

Factors That Affect Asphalt’s Longevity

• Periodic maintenance: To keep erosion at bay, cracks and holes should be repaired promptly and the surface should be sealcoated every few years. If not, the asphalt will wear out prematurely.
• Quality of installation: Your asphalt is only as durable as its original installation. If the foundation and sublayers weren’t properly laid, or drainage wasn’t accounted for, you’ll run into problems sooner than later.
• Surrounding vegetation: You could do everything right in terms of maintenance, yet if there are tree roots growing under your asphalt, there’s little you can do to prevent serious structural damage. 
• Harsh climate: Extreme weather—from ice and snow to blazing sun and heat—can have a damaging effect on your asphalt. Water erosion and oxidation are no friends to blacktop!
• Your aesthetic standards: Over time, your asphalt driveway will naturally begin to crack and fade. For many homeowners, how long their driveway lasts depends on how many unsightly cracks they can tolerate before they decide to repave.

We hope this helps you understand what to expect from your asphalt! If you need help with asphalt repairs, maintenance, sealing, or anything else to extend the longevity of your driveway, don’t hesitate to call United Asphalt Paving.

Is your parking lot in a sad state of disrepair?

Don’t worry. United Asphalt Paving can completely revitalize it for you!

In this blog post, we’re going to outline a handful of ways in which we can transform the way your parking lot looks and feels. No matter which option(s) you choose, you won’t believe the final results!

So, here are a few things you should consider doing to revamp your parking lot.

1. Overdue Asphalt Repairs

If your parking lot is relatively new but has endured some surface damage, you’ll be well served by some smart, targeted asphalt repairs. You can call us for services like:

• Asphalt patching
• Crack filling
• Pothole repairs
• Saw cuts
• And more

2. Asphalt Replacement or Repaving

For parking lots that are aging and worse for the wear, asphalt repairs won’t be enough. In such cases, full replacement or repaving is necessary. 

You can either bite the bullet and do a complete tear-up and replacement, or you can slightly reduce costs by doing an asphalt overlay instead. Regardless of which path you take, United Asphalt Paving can handle it.

3. Total Facelift

Maybe you don’t have any major repairs to do, and your parking lot isn’t crumbling or cracking. There’s still room for improvement!

Blacktop fades, parking lines peel, and curbs erode, contributing to an overall worn-out appearance. We can help you fight back by implementing any of the following:

• Sealcoating
• Painting
• Line striping
• Curb installation
• Parking bollard installation
• Speed bump installation
• And more

Need other ideas for how you can give your parking lot a brand-new look? We’re happy to collaborate with you and help you come up with the perfect solution for your company’s needs and budget. Call United Asphalt Paving in Fort Worth, Houston, or anywhere in between!

When installing new pavement, you typically have two options for materials: asphalt or chip seal. 

Often, property owners default to asphalt because that’s the most common type of pavement around. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice in every case. In fact, there are many scenarios where chip seal is the superior option…

When Should You Choose Chip Sealing?

These are the four main circumstances in which chip seal pavement is a better choice than asphalt pavement:

• When you’re on a tight budget. With chip sealing, both the material and labor costs are much lower than traditional asphalt paving. 
• When you’re paving a roadway with less traffic. Chip seal isn’t quite as durable as asphalt, so it’s better suited for surfaces that won’t get as much heavy traffic as a busy street or commercial parking lot.
• When you’re located in a hot, sunny climate. Because chip seal is a much lighter color and less dense than jet-black asphalt, it will absorb less solar heat. 
• When you want more aesthetic options. Since chip seal materials consist of crushed stone and aggregate, they’re available in a wide variety of colors and textures. This makes chip seal a good choice for property owners who want their pavement to stand out. 

Of course, if you’re still uncertain about which option is most appropriate and cost-effective for your property’s needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to United Asphalt Paving. We specialize in both asphalt and chip seal, and we’d be happy to give you our professional opinion after evaluating your property. 

Whether you’re in Fort Worth, Houston, or anywhere else in between, give us a call to find out more about the benefits of chip seal paving!