About Seal Coating
Asphalt Sealing, or seal coating, is simply laying a thin protective layer over asphalt-based pavement to give it a protective layer of protection against the elements: oil, water, and U.V. The positive effects of asphalt sealing have long been debated. Some claim that asphalt sealing increases the lifespan of the pavement, but again, there’s no evidence that backs up those claims. Asphalt sealing can damage the pavement by creating cracks. The excessive water and oil that can be soaked into the asphalt also weaken its structural integrity. And the chemical fumes emitted during asphalt sealing can also be harmful to humans.
With all of that in mind, it’s not surprising that many business owners, when they set out to perform asphalt sealing, opt to go the non-per square foot route. The costs are much lower, often no more than a few cents per square foot. And the benefits of lower cost and improved performance are well-known. After all, if you want to save money, you want to reduce your operation costs.
But that brings us to our next question: Are asphalt sealing pads a good solution for parking lots, blacktop driveways, or other paved surfaces? As with any typical maintenance procedure, regular maintenance is the best way to reduce the cost of asphalt sealing. Sealing at least annually will help keep dust, pollen, and other pollutants from making their way onto your paved surfaces. It will also help protect your driveway from water damage, as well as mold and algae growth, both of which cause a lot of problems to homeowners.
Now let’s look at how often you should reseal your asphalt surfaces, especially if you’re going to go the non-per square foot route. The key, again, is regular maintenance. And as it turns out, the best time to perform asphalt sealing and resealing are during the cold winter months. There’s even been some recent evidence suggesting that the best time for asphalt sealing and resealing is during the fall when temperatures are quite low.
Why is that? Fall is when most asphalt-based park finishes and protective coatings need to be applied. Asphalt-based park finishes are very weather-resistant, but that doesn’t mean that they’re impervious to the elements. The rainy spring weather can still cause problems, as can heavy snow, ice, and even dew. So, by applying the protective coatings only during the wet winter months, you’ll be doing your park and business no favors, and in the end, your asphalt sealing and resealing efforts will be wasted.
Here’s why: Asphalt seal coats are extremely dense. Think about asphalt sealing and resealing – it’s the same product, just in a different form. And that means that you have to apply a lot less of it to achieve the same degree of protection. That’s why a lot of asphalt maintenance and repair companies (which specialize in asphalt sealing and resealing) will advise you to apply a minimum of three or four gallons of asphalt-based protectant per square foot of paved area. In other words, if you have a parking lot of ten thousand square feet, you’d want to apply three gallons per every twenty-five feet of the paved area.
If you were to apply that kind of service to your asphalt driveway, you could expect to pay anywhere from three to five dollars per square foot. Now consider that the average cost of asphalt sealing and resealing is only about two or three dollars per square foot. Multiply those two by the number of feet of asphalt you’re going to need to cover (per your parking lot, for example), and you quickly come to understand how much asphalt sealing and resealing would cost you. Applying the service yourself would cost you at least a thousand dollars or more. Not very appealing, I’d say.
But, don’t give up just yet – there are other ways to protect your asphalt driveway seal coating and resealing investment, and they won’t cost you nearly as much, so don’t rule them out just yet. One of those ways is called flashings, which are like raised bumps along the edge of your driveway that will serve as an additional traction aid when you drive over it. The average cost of installing these would be about two hundred dollars, with the total installed cost running into the thousands. Another less expensive alternative is a thin film of asphalt seal coating that has a plastic protective layer between it and the ground, as opposed to flashing. It’s about as thick as standard asphalt, which would then have to be applied to your asphalt driveway seal coating and resurfacing project in much the same way.
About Creve Coeur, Missouri
Creve Coeur is a city located in mid St. Louis County, Missouri, United States, a part of Greater St. Louis. Its population was 18,834 at the 2020 census. Creve Coeur borders and shares a ZIP code (63141) with the neighboring city of Town and Country. It is home to the headquarters of Drury Hotels, and Monsanto until its acquisition by Bayer in 2018.
The name crève cœur (French pronunciation: [krɛv kœʁ], "heartbreak") is said to derive from Creve Coeur Lake. According to the city's website, the tale goes that the lake "formed itself into a broken heart" after an Indian princess's unrequited love for a French fur trapper led her to jump "from a ledge overlooking" the lake.
Written accounts and archaeological finds show that Native Americans inhabited the Creve Coeur area from 9500 BC to 1800 AD. French explorers began farming and fishing in the area in the early 18th century, and fur trappers settled there in the early 19th century. When the area was acquired by the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Lewis and Clark Expedition came through Creve Coeur. During the American Civil War, men from the area served on both sides of the conflict, but most residents were southern sympathizers.
Creve Coeur was incorporated in 1949. Although cabins more than 200 years old (including two still in Conway Park) are in the community, it grew primarily as a stopping point along Olive Boulevard (now Route 340) between University City and Creve Coeur Lake. It expanded faster following construction of Interstate 270 and U.S. Route 40.
The lake and its associated park of the same name, which was the first county park in St. Louis County, is now part of Maryland Heights to the north of Creve Coeur.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.27 square miles (26.60 km), all land.
The City of Creve Coeur's Charter was adopted in 1976, providing for a council-city administrator form of government. The mayor is elected by the voters while the city council consists of eight members (two members representing each of four wards, council members are elected to serve staggered two-year terms). The mayor is elected at large for a three-year term. The city administrator is hired by the city council and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city.
Creve Coeur has 104 government employees.
The city is located in the 2nd Congressional District, 7th and 24th State Senate District, and 82nd and 87th State Representative Districts.
The City of Creve Coeur's Standard & Poor bond rating is AAA, one of only four such rated cities in Missouri.
The city's police department is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Ranked third in highest assessed value in St. Louis County the median income for a household in the city was $94,852, and the median income for a family was $99,100. Males had a median income of $65,106 versus $39,102 for females. The per capita income for the city was $59,496. About 1.8% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2020 census, 18,834 people and 8,340 households were living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 71.2% White, 9.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 12.5% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.5% of the population.
As of the census of 2010, 17,833 people, 7,654 households, and 4,717 families were living in the city. The population density was 1,736.4 inhabitants per square mile (670.4/km2). The 8,433 housing units had an average density of 821.1 per square mile (317.0/km). The racial makeup of the city was 79.9% White, 7.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 10.1% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 2.6% of the population.
Of the 7,654 households, 26.0% had children under 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.4% were not families. About 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26,and the average family size was 2.91.
The median age in the city was 44.3 years; 20.9% of residents were under 18; 7.4% were between 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 20.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
As of the census of 2000, 16,500 people, 6,988 households, and 4,465 families were living in the city. The population density was 1,628.9 people/sq mi (628.9/km2). The 7,496 housing units had an average density of 740.0/sq mi (285.7/km). The racial makeup of the city was 88.79% White, 3.45% African American, 0.21% Native American, 6.02% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.77% of the population.
Of the 6,988 households, 25.6% had children under 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 4.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were not families. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.29, and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city, the age distribution was 21.0% under 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
About 68% of Creve Coeur residents have college degrees; 33% have graduate or professional degrees.
The western portion of Creve Coeur is part of the public Parkway School District. The eastern portion is served by the Ladue School District. Pattonville School District covers a northeast portion of the city limits of Creve Coeur. Public schools in Creve Coeur include Ladue Schools West Campus, Spoede Elementary School (Ladue Schools), Bellerive Elementary School (Parkway District), and Northeast Middle School (Parkway District).
Creve Coeur has a number of parochial elementary and middle schools including Our Lady of the Pillar, Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School (formerly Solomon Schechter Day School), and St. Monica; and four private high schools (Saint Louis Priory School, De Smet Jesuit, Chaminade College Preparatory School, and Whitfield School). Roman Catholic schools are of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Missouri Baptist University is located within the city of Creve Coeur along with Covenant Theological Seminary.
Health-care facilities in Creve Coeur include Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, which is home to a satellite facility of the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center. Creve Coeur also contains Mercy Hospital St. Louis.
Creve Coeur is recognized as a key node for technology, life and bio sciences, and medical services in the St. Louis region. It is home to Bayer, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center & the Bio Research and Development Growth Park, all located in the 39 North Agtech Innovation District.
Isle of Capri Casinos moved its headquarters to Creve Coeur from Biloxi, Mississippi, in 2006. The state of Missouri and the city of Creve Coeur had offered Isle of Capri more than $4.2 million in tax incentives. In addition, Correctional Medical Services, Drury Hotels, have their headquarters in Creve Coeur.
Adam's Mark previously had its headquarters in the city.
According to the city's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial the top employers in the city are:
According to St. Louis Business Journal Book of Lists 2012, Creve Coeur is home to several leading businesses in the St. Louis region.
Five of the top 15 largest information technology consulting firms in St. Louis are located in Creve Coeur, including the top two:
TEKsystems, Computer Sciences, Daugherty Business Solutions, Volt Workforce Solutions, Bradford & Galt, Envision, and iBridge Solutions
Two of the top 10 largest life science research organizations in St. Louis are located in Creve Coeur:
Bayer and Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
The American Association of Orthodontists has its headquarters in the city.
The City of Creve Coeur maintains six parks with amenities including playgrounds, walking trails, tennis courts, and athletic fields. The City of Creve Coeur also operates the Dielmann Recreation Complex, which includes a 9-hole golf course and ice arena. Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park is a St. Louis County Park located 3 miles north of the City of Creve Coeur.