One of the biggest growth industries in the construction industry is small home asphalt projects.  More and more people are coming to understand the money to be saved by maintaining their asphalt instead of waiting till there is a major problem that may require replacement. 

The most important aspect of asphalt construction is the sealer that is applied once the black top is cured and then is reapplied every 3-5 years.  This seal is intended to protect the underlying aggregate and asphalt cement bond.  Without a sealer, the cement bond will break down due to the ultraviolet rays of the Sun and the natural weathering from rain and snow.

Some people choose to use a cheap asphalt driveway paint instead of a coal tar or asphalt emulsion product.  This paint is usually a latex or acrylic base which just will not stand up the heavy traffic which most driveways experience.

Asphalt Sealing Equipment

There are two methods generally used to install an asphalt sealer:  manual and automated.  The manual method is just what it sounds like.  The sealer is poured onto the surface and then spread around with squeegees or brooms.  This gives a very thick coating, but of course it is very labor intensive.

The second method is more economical from a contractor standpoint.  With the automatic system the sealer is poured into a holding tank that is heating with propane in order to keep the sealer thin.  Asphalt, in its normal state, is very viscous and thus it’s almost impossible to spray.

Once the sealer is heated it is then applied through a spray bar mounted on a dump truck or pickup.  This allows for a very uniform covering, no wasted sealer, and also is very economical.  A good applicator can do a 100 foot driveway in about two hours including prep work.

If you are already active in road construction or asphalt construction work then adding driveway sealer equipment to your mix may make a lot of sense.