G.P.E. Asphalt Paving & Sealcoating
Local roots, professional crews, and a reputation for clean, long-lasting work.
Coastal South Carolina is loved for its beauty — but the same warm breezes, salty air, and humid climate that make the Lowcountry special can quietly erode asphalt far faster than most homeowners and business owners realize.
If you live in Beaufort, Bluffton, Lady’s Island, Burton, Hilton Head, or anywhere along the coast, your asphalt faces environmental stressors that inland properties simply don’t encounter. Understanding these conditions can help you protect your driveway or parking lot, avoid early replacement, and extend the life of your investment.
Ocean air carries microscopic salt particles that settle onto surfaces — including your driveway and parking lot. While asphalt is durable, salt weakens it in three key ways:
Salt acts like a magnet for water.
When salty air settles onto asphalt:
Moisture stays trapped longer
The surface stays damp
The pavement breaks down more quickly
This creates the perfect environment for early cracking, softening, and surface erosion.
Salt accelerates the chemical process that causes asphalt to turn gray, brittle, and faded.
This means:
Faster color loss
A rougher surface texture
Reduced flexibility
More cracks over time
In the Lowcountry, oxidation happens twice as fast due to constant UV exposure combined with salty air.
Asphalt is held together by a bitumen “glue.”
Salt breaks that down.
When the binder loses strength:
Gravel loosens
Pitting and raveling begin
The surface becomes uneven
Water infiltration increases
Left untreated, this leads to potholes and major structural failure.
The Lowcountry’s year-round humidity makes salt even more destructive.
Moisture settles into tiny cracks and pores, making it harder for asphalt to dry out. That moisture then expands during temperature swings, widening cracks and stretching weak spots.
The result?
Premature surface aging and a driveway that looks 10 years old in just 3–5 years.
Coastal South Carolina receives significantly more rain than inland regions.
Combined with salt, this creates:
Faster oxidation
More frequent cracking
Soft spots in high-traffic areas
Greater risk of standing water
If a driveway or parking lot wasn’t installed with proper drainage, it will deteriorate even faster.
Living near the coast doesn’t mean your asphalt has to suffer. With proper maintenance, you can dramatically extend its lifespan.
Sealcoating acts like sunscreen and a waterproofing barrier for your asphalt.
It protects against:
UV damage
Salt penetration
Moisture intrusion
Chemical spills
Oxidation
In the Lowcountry, sealcoating isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Salt air makes small cracks expand quickly.
Crack sealing stops:
Water infiltration
Base damage
Early pothole formation
A few dollars in crack repair can prevent thousands in resurfacing.
If water pools on your driveway or lot after storms, it’s shortening the pavement’s life.
Proper drainage solutions can prevent long-term erosion.
A yearly inspection catches issues early — before salt and moisture turn them into costly repairs.
As a trusted Lowcountry paving and sealcoating company, GPE Paving & Sealcoating understands the unique challenges of coastal asphalt. Our climate isn’t mild — it’s demanding. But with the right maintenance strategy, your driveway or parking lot can stay strong, safe, and beautiful for years.
If you’re noticing fading, cracking, soft spots, or standing water, it’s time for a professional evaluation.
GPE Paving & Sealcoating — built for the Lowcountry, built to last.