Asphalt is a durable material that can withstand a lot of weather and abuse. Paving companies use heavy-duty asphalt tools to construct our nation’s roads and to pave parking lots. Asphalt is also commonly used to seal and weather-proof the roofs of industrial buildings, and most home driveways are paved with asphalt, too. Here are some different ways to use asphalt that you might not be aware of.
In urban areas, graffiti is often a problem for building owners. People with no regard for other people’s property will spray-paint names and pictures on the sides of buildings. One tool with which to attack the problem is black asphalt paint. Business or building owners may want to keep a few cans of spray asphalt paint handy for the next time someone tags their building. They can quickly paint over the new graffiti and keep the building looking good.
Cars and trucks travel on top of asphalt, but you can also find asphalt inside the vehicles themselves. Car manufacturers use an asphalt coating on key components of the car to make the vehicle quieter. The coating absorbs any vibration and resulting sound waves on the part, reducing noise. The lining also prohibits outside noise from the street and from surrounding traffic from entering the vehicle.
A fence post on a sprawling ranch isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when we’re talking about asphalt. Asphalt fence paint looks like any other paint, but it’s more durable and waterproof, and it can be used both above and below ground. Ranchers often paint their wooden fence posts with asphalt-based paint to protect them and make them last longer. Painting them before driving them into the ground also minimizes rot and decay.
Henry Ford was the first to use asphalt-based paint on his Model T. Looking to cut costs, he famously offered the car in only one color: japan black. That color contains a large amount of bitumen, or liquid asphalt, allowing it to dry more quickly. Today, the auto industry uses japan black to coat wheel wells and fenders.
Many contractors use asphalt-based waterproofing materials, which can be used on home foundations below the grade to keep water and water vapor from seeping into the house. Other asphalt-based compounds can replace tar paper under wood siding, brick veneer vinyl siding, and fiber cement siding.
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The thickness of your asphalt driveway can have a major impact on its longevity. To get the thickness level right, here’s what you need to consider.
