Sealcoating: Is Thicker Better? | Treasure Coast
New asphalt pavements are attractive, fast to construct, and economical, but they will not last as long as they should if they are not properly maintained. One of the most important maintenance tasks is the periodic application of a high-quality sealcoat. Sealcoats offer a couple of cosmetic benefits, but their most vital function is to protect asphalt pavements from damages inflicted by the sun, water, and automotive fluids. Some people believe that a thick coat of sealant will offer better protection and simultaneously reduce the time that the pavement must be closed, but the opposite is true. With sealcoating, thicker is definitely not better.
Why Should Sealcoating Never Be Applied Too Thickly?
Before beginning your job, your sealcoating contractor will prepare a liquid mix that contains sand, the sealant concentrate, and water. By volume, water is the most plentiful ingredient, and seal coating mixes are typically about 70% water. To dry and cure properly, asphalt sealcoating must shed its water through the process of evaporation, and evaporation occurs from the top layer to the bottom one. If the seal coating is too thick, the top layers will dry and harden, trapping layers of wet sealant beneath them. The wet sealant will continue to move underneath, cracking the top layers and allowing the dried sealant to flake and be washed or blown away. Therefore, experienced Treasure Coast asphalt sealcoating contractors know that sealants need to be applied in thin coats to ensure proper curing.
If My Pavement Needs More Than a Thin Layer of Sealcoating for Adequate Protection, How Will My Contractor Handle It?
The short answer is that your sealcoating contractor will apply more than one thin coat. It is common for seal coating and asphalt maintenance contractors to apply two thin coats when sealcoating parking lots, for example, with perhaps a third coat in high-traffic areas. Thus, the secret to achieving the correct thickness of cured sealant is to increase its thickness by applying multiple thin coats. Thin coats dry very quickly, and they will be able to form the tough, hard barrier over the pavement that is necessary for proper protection.
Are Sprayers the Best Way to Apply Thin Layers of Seal Coating?
Well-maintained sprayers that are used by skilled operators can be set to apply a sealant at a very precise rate, so this method is often used on large, open pavements. However, experienced, well-trained workers can apply thin layers with a squeegee. Squeegees are frequently used to apply a sealant in tight spaces or along the edges of the pavement.
For Superior Treasure Coast Asphalt Care, Trust Your Pavements to Asphalt Care Services
We are a highly respected, experienced, family business with an exemplary reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and extraordinary customer service. We can repair, create, maintain, or transform any asphalt surface that you can drive, ride, or walk on. Our paving services include asphalt sealcoating, parking lot striping, asphalt repairs, traffic sign installation, asphalt paving, concrete bumper blocks, parking lot maintenance, and thermoplastic line striping. We offer free quotes, so submit your request by filling out our online form, emailing [email protected], or calling 772-888-2840.
