Sealcoating Shortcuts That An Asphalt Company Should Never Take

When included in a professionally administered asphalt maintenance program, sealcoating can often more than double the life of a parking lot or other pavement. Sealcoating filters out the ultraviolet radiation that can make asphalt pavement brittle, dry, and unattractive. Sealants help prevent oil, gas, and other petrochemicals from reaching and destroying the binder in the pavement, leaving the affected area soft, crumbly, and easily damaged. In addition to protecting asphalt pavement, sealcoating provides cosmetic benefits by restoring the pavement’s original color, making the pavement appear more level and smoother, and concealing minor surface imperfections. Furthermore, sealcoating contributes to the safety of the pavement by enhancing traction and providing the right background to make pavement markings more visible. However, to obtain the benefits of sealcoating, your contractor should never take certain shortcuts. These include cutting corners on the mix preparation, not waiting for suitable weather, not preparing the pavement properly, and using the wrong tools or methods for the application.

Sealcoating Shortcuts That An Asphalt Company Should Never Take

How Important Is the Preparation of a Sealcoating Mix?

The companies that manufacture sealant mixes spend a great deal of time and money to formulate and test their products. They prepare recipes for contractors to follow so that the product will provide the greatest benefits. Whether you are preparing a sealant mix or baking a cake, altering the ratio of liquids and solids can result in failure. If a sealcoating contractor skimps on the sand in the mix, for example, it will be necessary to increase the amount of water in the mix to produce a gallon of sealant. The resulting product will be too thin to have a long life, and the lack of sand will reduce the sealant’s ability to provide additional traction.

Why Do Sealcoating Contractors Want Specific Weather Conditions?

The main reason that reputable sealcoating contractors postpone sealcoating jobs due to the weather is related to the water in the sealant mix. Sealants cannot cure if they cannot evaporate this water in a timely manner. The rate of evaporation is directly impacted by the temperature, humidity level, and wind speed. As temperatures rise, the rate of evaporation increases. As the humidity level rises, the rate of evaporation slows. Wind helps move water-saturated air away from the wet sealcoating, boosting evaporation. Sunlight also plays a role in evaporation by making the water molecules move faster and collide with each other. One final weather-related condition involves rain. If even a light shower occurs during the sealant’s first 24 hours, the entire sealcoating job can be ruined.

Why Is It Critical to Prepare an Asphalt Pavement Prior to Sealcoating?

As asphalt paving ages, it can develop cracks. Crack repairs are economical, but they are necessary to prolong the life of the pavement. Since sealcoating is applied as a liquid, it will flow into any open cracks, but it will not seal them. The sealant will be wasted, and the pavement will not be properly protected. The same is true if potholes or other pavement breaks exist. Parking lot repair should always be performed prior to sealcoating. Another critical step in the preparation process is to clean the pavement thoroughly. Dirt, vegetation, and oil stains can prevent the sealant from bonding with the pavement. Some pavements may also need a primer applied to ensure proper bonding.

How Does Improper Application Impact the Success of a Sealcoating Job?

Successful sealcoating requires the right tools and equipment so that the best method can be used for the application. For example, there are some situations that require the use of a hand squeegee, but sprayers are essential for other situations. A tank with a rotating drum can help keep the sand suspended in the mix so that it is evenly distributed throughout the application. The right tools and methods can help prevent overspray, and they can help ensure that each coat has the same thickness across the entire pavement.

Let Asphalt Care Services Take Care of Your Pavement and Parking Lot Maintenance

The parking lot maintenance experts at Asphalt Care Services can help you achieve a longer, more attractive life for your pavement. We offer an extensive range of paving services, including parking lot striping, asphalt sealcoating, asphalt repair, speed bump installation, thermoplastic line striping, bumper block installation, traffic signage, and bollard installation. We serve a wide variety of clients, most of whom are located in the towns that lie between Boca Raton and Sebastian. We have an exemplary reputation for high-quality work, exceptional customer service, and professional project management. For a free quote, you can fill out our online request form. If you prefer, you can call :561-855-1336 or 772-888-2840.