Is Sealcoating The Solution for Grey Asphalt Oxidation In Vegas?

Is Sealcoating The Solution for Grey Asphalt Oxidation In Vegas?

Have you ever wondered why beautiful black becomes a faded, dull mess over time? It’s a natural phenomenon called asphalt oxidation, a problem affecting paved surfaces everywhere. Asphalt oxidation in Vegas can turn parking lots, roads and more into discolored surfaces full of cracks. What’s worse, oxidation makes pavement more susceptible to damage!

In this blog, we’ll explore the cause of asphalt oxidation and how seal coating can help.

Why Does Asphalt Oxidation in Vegas Occur?

Oxidation is a chemical process. We won’t get too deep into the scientific weeds, but oxidation happens when an atom, molecule or ion interacts with oxygen. When something like asphalt oxidizes, its atoms lose electrons. Many materials can oxidize. The one you’re most used to seeing is rust on metal.

In asphalt, oxidation starts after contractors lay your new pavement. Of course, it’s a slow and gradual process. However, the signs can creep up faster than you think! Once the asphalt interacts with oxygen in the atmosphere, it triggers a molecular process to create binding sites. Clumps of asphalt material bind together to stabilize. When that happens, the bitumen in your asphalt starts to lose its color. Then, cracks form, and the material will become brittle.

UV exposure from a lack of sealcoating can hasten the process, causing the asphalt’s color to fade.

What Are Some Signs?

The most obvious sign of asphalt oxidation is discoloration. As the bitumen oxidizes, the color will slowly shift from deep black to grey. Additionally, you may notice hairline cracks developing due to the material’s brittleness. The cracks start small, but failing to take action with seal coating can cause them to widen over time.

Raveling can also occur. Raveling happens when the binders of your asphalt break down, causing the aggregates to fall apart. The result is loose sand and gravel on your paved surface.

How Can Sealcoating Restore Pavement?

Oxidation can and will occur on any asphalt surface. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there’s an easy solution to addressing the grey discoloration. Sealcoating is an important maintenance service that can instantly restore asphalt’s color.

Contractors recommend sealcoating parking lots and other surfaces once every three to five years, depending on your asphalt’s condition and age. The seal coating process involves spreading thin layers of asphalt emulsion sealer over the entire surface. Once cured, it restores the color to a rich black!

Parking lot sealcoating won’t “fix” oxidation. Once oxidation ravages pavement, it won’t magically correct lost elasticity. However, it can improve the look of your paving. More importantly, asphalt sealcoating can protect against future oxidation.

Can Parking Lot Sealcoating Prevent Asphalt Oxidation in Vegas?

A sealcoating parking lot and other paved surfaces should be a top priority. Contractors will recommend seal coating the first time roughly three months after laying the asphalt. That timeline gives the material ample time to cure fully.

After that, you must regularly be vigilant about seal coating throughout your pavement’s life. Asphalt sealcoating significantly reduces the oxidation rate by minimizing exposure to oxygen and UV rays. It also prevents water penetration and protects against corrosive vehicle fluids.

Regularly sealcoating parking lots is the ticket to long-lasting pavement. It can minimize the risk of cracking, potholes and other issues caused by oxidization-related brittleness.

Oxidation doesn’t have to cause issues. With pavement and parking lot sealcoating from Affordable Striping & Sealing, you can keep your asphalt in great shape for decades! Affordable Striping & Sealing is a premier asphalt maintenance company that proudly serves property owners and municipalities in the Las Vegas area. We understand the importance of sealcoating and work hard to provide a service you can trust.

Whatever your asphalt maintenance needs, we’ve got you covered. In addition to sealcoating, we offer a comprehensive range of services, including asphalt crack repairs, parking lot layout design, line striping, road markings and more.

Get a free quote and schedule your sealcoating appointment today by calling Affordable Striping & Sealing at (702)222-9009. You can also use our online contact form or email us at vegas@affordablestriping.com.