Why Asphalt Needs Renewing, Not Just Sealing

What Asphalt Is Made Of

Asphalt pavement is a mix of sand, stone, and liquid asphalt.

 

• The stone and sand don’t need protection.
• The liquid asphalt does—it’s the binder that holds everything together.

 

When asphalt is new, the liquid asphalt naturally repels water and protects itself. But over time, it begins to dry out, losing essential oils. That’s when pavement becomes brittle, leading to cracks and the eventual loss of sand and stone.

 

 

Why Rejuvenating Sealers Work (and Others Don’t)

Only rejuvenation sealers can penetrate the pavement and restore the liquid asphalt by replenishing the natural oils—called asphaltenes and maltenes.

 

Coal tar and latex sealers cannot do this. Think about it:

👉 Asphalt is oil-based.

👉 Coal tar and latex are water-based.

👉 And oil and water don’t mix.

 

Instead of bonding with asphalt, coal tar and latex products simply sit on top of the surface. This traps the pavement, preventing it from breathing, expanding, and contracting. The result? Surface cracks, peeling, and early failure.

 

The Proof Is Everywhere

If you walk through most neighborhoods, you’ll see it: driveways that were sealed with coal tar or latex just a couple of years ago already cracking, flaking, or peeling.