Absolute Asphalt Co applies a fresh slurry coat to leave your driveway looking dark, rich, and brand new. Slurry coating is one of the best defenses we have here in Snohomish County against our relentless damp weather, but the pavement still needs attention to reach its full lifespan. Homeowners around Marysville, WA want to keep their pavement from turning back to gray before its time.
How to Extend the Life of Your Slurry Coat
Marysville winters are wet, and the constant cycle of rain and occasional freezing temperatures can damage asphalt. To make that slurry seal last, you have to keep the surface clean. Leaves from the big maples dropping every autumn will hold moisture against the surface and break down the binder if you let them rot there. Spray the driveway down with a hose every few weeks, and do not let piles of organic debris sit for months.
Managing heavy loads is also important for Asphalt Maintenance. If you are parking a heavy RV or a boat trailer on your newly coated surface, use plywood pads underneath the tires. The plywood distributes the weight and keeps the sharp edges from gouging the fresh material, especially during those rare summer heatwaves when asphalt gets soft.
Regular Maintenance Routine
You do not need a fancy toolkit for Asphalt Maintenance. Just keep your eyes open. Once a month, take a quick walk over the pavement. Look for oil drips from vehicles and clean them up right away with a proper degreaser. Petroleum eats right through asphalt sealants, and if you leave a puddle of motor oil sitting on a slurry coat, you will end up with a sticky, crumbling mess.
Keep an eye on the edges, too. The transition from your asphalt to the grass or gravel along your yard takes a beating. Weed eaters and car tires clipping the edge can chip away at the perimeter. Keep weeds pulled back so they do not force their way up through the sides of the pavement.
Warning Signs of Early Failure
Sometimes problems develop with Asphalt Coatings. If you start seeing hairline cracks reappearing just a few months after application, or if the surface is turning powdery and tracking black dust onto your boots, that is a red flag. It usually means the mix ratio was off or moisture got trapped underneath during curing. Raveling, where the aggregate starts popping out in small handfuls, is another sign that the slurry did not bond right with the old asphalt underneath.
When to Call Absolute Asphalt Co
If you spot minor surface wear, it is usually manageable with do-it-yourself cleaning and care. But if you notice alligator cracking starting to show through the slurry, or if water is pooling in low spots that were not there before, it is time to bring in professional help. Absolute Asphalt Co deals with these Pacific Northwest weather issues day in and day out. For homes and businesses in Marysville, Absolute Asphalt Co provides Asphalt Contractor services when structural flaws go deeper than just the surface coat.