Why bother sealing asphalt driveways? As water permeates cracks in the material and settles down at the base, the strength of the base is compromised, resulting in the formation of potholes. Cracks filled with water are also an open invitation in the North to damage from freezing.

Even in warm climates, grass can begin to grow up through cracks on the edges of the surface. Damage from ultraviolet rays and oil/gas spills are other good reasons for sealing asphalt driveways.

Here’s How:

1. When planning for sealing asphalt driveways (sometimes misspelled as “ashphalt” and also known as “hot top” or “blacktop”), wait till the ground temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit or greater and no rain is expected for 3 days.
2. Much of the work in sealing asphalt driveways is preparation. That includes preparing your body for the job. Asphalt driveway sealers are rather unpleasant products, so avoid skin contact with them. Also avoid inhaling the vapors given off by asphalt driveway sealers (sealants).
3. Grass overhanging the edges of the surface should be removed. With a stiff-bristled brush clean any oil/gas stains using a detergent specially made for this purpose, which can be found at auto supply stores. Sweep the surface clean with a push broom. Patching compounds are available at home improvement centers to fill in large cracks or depressions; if your surface is plagued with either, fill them in before continuing with Step 4. Follow label directions for drying time for these compounds.
4. With the garden hose, hose down the surface with a vigorous spray to remove dirt missed in the sweeping process. A pressure washer would make this job easier and more effective, but is optional. Allow the surface to dry.
5. Well before prying off the lid of the tub of asphalt driveway sealer, turn it upside down. This will pre-mix the contents. Once the tub is opened, continue to stir periodically so that the asphalt driveway sealer remains well mixed.
6. Beginning in one corner, pour some of the asphalt driveway sealer on the surface. You’ll probably find it easiest to work on one small square section at a time (a section, say, 10-20 feet square), rather than doing long narrow strips. Apply your asphalt driveway sealer in thin, overlapping coats with a long-handled application brush or squeegee.
7. Drying time is a minimum of 24 hours, during which time you should not allow traffic of any kind on the surface, but especially automobile traffic. Place barrels at the entrance to your yard to prohibit vehicular access, or simply use the empty sealer tubs. For greater visibility, drive a post on either side of the entrance and string some yellow construction tape between the posts.

Tips:

1. Putting on a thicker layer of asphalt driveway sealer will not provide additional protection. Avoid the “more is better” pitfall and follow the asphalt driveway sealer manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Asphalt driveway sealer should be applied within 6 months of installation and every one to three years thereafter. However, asphalt driveway sealer should not be applied immediately after installation, as the hot top must cure for 30 days. In areas with harsh winters, sealing asphalt driveways once per year may be desirable, but beware the slick surface that will result.

What You Need

• push broom, stiff-bristled brush
• optional: pressure washer
• hose with spray nozzle
• application brush
• asphalt driveway sealer
• gloves
• patching compounds, if needed
• detergent to remove oil/gas stains, if needed

Source: About

Roads fulfil a crucial function in modern society, providing increased mobility for people, goods and services. The have played a key role in European progress and continue to drive socio- economic growth,

Asphalt road surfaces offer many benefits, including cost efficiency, reduction in noise pollution, improved safety and comfort, durability and recyclability. Using asphalt materials in road  construction and maintenance can improve conditions for all road users and new technologies are making asphalt the only sustainable road material of choice.

Noise reduction

Use of asphalt road surfaces can significantly reduce noise both inside and outside the car, helping to prevent accidents by alleviating a source of stress that contributes to driver fatigue. Standard asphalt roads have the lowest noise levels of all traditional road surfaces and the more recent development of porous and silent asphalts have reduced noise levels even further. A standard asphalt surface produces half the noise generated by a standard concrete surface, and porous asphalt reduces this by a further 50%.

Surface water dispersal

New asphalt technology ensures rapid dispersal and drainage of surface water, reducing water spray and therefore, improving visibility for the driver in wet conditions. The newer porous asphalt materials dramatically reduce blinding spray, and by dispersing surface water they also reduce the risk of aquaplaning and increase the visibility of road markings.

Skid resistance

Drainage and texture of the road surface are the two crucial elements that aid skid resistance. Much research has been dedicated to the removal of water and provision of vehicle tyre grip.

The drainage capability of porous asphalts and precision in aggregate mix play a vital role in skid resistance. Asphalt surfaces that provide higher levels of skid resistance can be used where safety is paramount, for example, outside schools or where there are extreme road gradients or bends.

Easy maintenance reduces traffic disruption

The properties of asphalt roads means that they can be easily opened and quickly reinstated almost immediately. This is very important for general road maintenance in order to reduce the occurance of pot holes and to extend the lifetime of the road structure, providing a properly maintained, safe, smooth road surface for vehicles.

Asphalt roads are fast to construct, and because asphalt effectively needs no “cure” time, motorists can use roadways as soon as the last roller leaves the construction zone. This means fewer delays and safer roads for the traveling public. The speed and ease of access is also important to allow the installation or replacement of ducting and cabling for utility services, such as communication, water, gas and electricity, which is crucial in minimising the associated congestion and driver frustration.

Clearer lane marking with coloured asphalts

Another recent asphalt advance has been the development of coloured or textured surfaces. These are increasingly used as a safety mechanism to make it easier for drivers to identify lanes set aside for special uses, such as bus lanes, bus stops and cycle paths.

Coloured asphalt is also used to alert driver attention to dangerous areas, such as hidden junctions or sharp bends, as well as areas requiring special safety precautions, such as outside schools.

Totally recyclable

Asphalt is 100% recyclable and is routinely milled and re-laid along with fresh materials, saving money and preserving non-renewable natural resources. Recycling also reduces the use of virgin quality gravel, preserves landfill and saves transport.

Versatile and flexible

Asphalt surfaces can be ‘tailor-made’ – appropriately formulated and designed to support the traffic load and climatic conditions of a specific road.

There are asphalt solutions for motorways, urban, suburban and rural roads and its flexibility is particularly useful in coping with the stresses of large traffic loads on bridges. In areas where roads have to cope with frequent freezing and thawing, thanks to the elasticity of bitumen, asphalt surfaces can be designed to tolerate extreme temperature cycles.

Source: eurobitume