Why Sealcoating is Your Asphalt's Best Friend
Sealcoating is a necessary way to maintain your asphalt—it's a vital guardian of your asphalt's longevity and curb appeal. We’ll talk through two distinct materials that preserve your pavement: Emulsion (the "wax") and Coal Tar (the "wrap").
Sealcoating with emulsion (the “wax”) refreshes asphalt, like waxing a car to help the paint last longer. Sealcoating with coal tar (the "wrap") method defends your asphalt, relying on the original paint underneath the wrap for strength. This helps it last longer without requiring repairs. Similar to protecting a car from the elements.
Each technique serves to shield your pavement from wear and tear, ensuring it remains not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Dive into the world of sealcoating where every application promises safety, smoothness, and a significant boost in curb appeal.
In this guide, we explore sealcoating and its importance in maintaining asphalt parking lots and roads. We cover what it is and why it's crucial.
What is Sealcoating Asphalt?
Sealcoating is a special liquid that hardens in warm temperatures and can rejuvenate or shield your asphalt. The process of sealcoating a parking lot is a maintenance activity where the goal is to prevent long-term damage.
There are two types of liquid, Asphalt emulsion and Coal Tar. Emulsion will rejuvenate asphalt. This acts like a wax to car paint, it restores the original product and keeps the asphalt strong.
Coal Tar is a shield or thin barrier for the elements. This is similar to a car wrap, but it doesn't restore it in the same manner as an emulsion would. It’s a long-lasting barrier that protects the asphalt like a wrap protects paint.
Our preference is to use emulsion any chance we get. However, coal tar will stay dark black longer, and most people prefer it over emulsion. Coal tar is the industry standard and is more commonly used on older parking lots.
Patching and resurfacing, on the other hand, are more intrusive and focused on repair, not maintenance. Liquid coating is less invasive compared to patching and resurfacing. It primarily serves for protection rather than repair.
What Does Sealcoating Asphalt Do?
Sealcoating protects asphalt from water, bad oils, UV rays, and other harmful elements to prevent damage. It acts as a barrier to keep the asphalt safe and extend its lifespan.
Sealcoating aids in preserving the look and longevity of the asphalt surface. It is a crucial maintenance measure for maintaining the condition of asphalt pavement.
The primary benefits of sealcoating include:
- Protection Against Elements: Sealcoating guards asphalt against the harmful effects of water penetration, oil spills, and sun damage. Asphalt has natural oils in it - that's what binds everything together.
The sun, water, and car oil all wash away and deteriorate this good oil. Emulsion restores these oils keeping the asphalt strong. Coal tar creates a strong barrier that prevents the elements from washing the good asphalt oil away.
Enhanced Durability: Both items enhance durability. Sealcoating, by inhibiting oxidation and surface deterioration, can potentially double your asphalt's lifespan.
Our research indicates that applying emulsion on asphalt increases its strength and durability, lasting two to three times longer. However, it requires more frequent application. On the other hand, coal tar requires less frequent application but tends to only double the asphalt's lifespan.
How Long Does Asphalt Sealcoating Last?
When properly applied, sealcoating can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years. The sealcoating's lifespan depends primarily on vehicle traffic, weather, and application quality.
Regular maintenance schedules are essential for extending the life of the pavement. Regularly check for cracks or damage on the surface. Apply sealcoating as needed to protect it from further damage. Our rule of thumb is that when you see the light gray appear after sealcoating, it’s time to re-seal.
Property owners can prevent expensive repairs like patching and replacing asphalt by regularly maintaining their pavement. This keeps it in good condition and avoids future problems.
How Long Does It Take Asphalt Sealcoating to Dry?
The drying time for asphalt sealcoating typically ranges between 24 to 48 hours. However, this duration can vary significantly based on several environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, and sunlight exposure. For the best outcome, wait to sealcoat until it is above 50 degrees for 48 hours before you sealcoat.
The sealant (emulsion and coal tar) won't be completely set until 30 days post-application. Vehicle traffic will be perfectly acceptable after 48 hours. The product will remain unaffected after 48 hours.
What happens if you drive on fresh sealcoating too soon?
Sealcoating is a barrer, so if someone drives on the black before it dries you’ll see tire marks after it dries. This is an aesthetic problem, not a structural problem.
This means that after you finish, your asphalt may not look perfect. However, most of it will still have a new layer of sealer on it. This new sealer will help protect your asphalt.
How Long Do You Have to Stay Off the Parking Lot After Asphalt Sealing?
After applying sealcoating to your driveway, we recommend avoiding walking on it for 24 hours. This will allow the sealant to dry properly. Walking or driving on the sealcoating before it is fully dry can cause damage to the finish.
Giving the sealant enough time to set and cure before using the parking lot is important. It is recommended to allow the sealcoating to completely dry for a period of 48 to 72 hours prior to driving on it. This will ensure that the sealcoating is strong enough to handle the weight of vehicles.
Waiting for the sealcoating to dry will help protect the asphalt underneath and prevent long-term damage. Driving on it before it's fully dry can cause premature wear and tear. Following these wait times is important to protect the sealcoating job and make your asphalt surface last longer.
Is Sealcoating Asphalt Necessary?
Sealcoating is important for maintaining paved surfaces like driveways, parking lots, and roads to prevent damage and deterioration. Adding a sealant layer protects surfaces from UV rays, water, oil, and other harmful substances, preventing damage.
Failure to seal a paved surface may result in its fast deterioration. The asphalt becomes more likely to develop cracks, potholes, and other damage. This can result in the need for costly repairs and replacements in the long run. Regular sealcoating can extend pavement lifespan and save money on costly repairs in the future.
Why Should You Sealcoat Asphalt?
Sealcoating isn't just a preventive measure; it's an investment in the longevity and aesthetics of your asphalt surfaces. Sealcoating protects the pavement from weather and wear. It also improves its appearance, making it look fresh and attractive. This adds a significant boost to your curb appeal.
Sealcoating is important for maintaining the condition and value of your asphalt. Necessary for both business properties and residential driveways. If you are responsible for a business property or maintaining your home's driveway, sealcoating is essential.
When a customer parks, they judge your business by how it looks from the outside. Does the parking lot look neglected?
Does the building look good? Is it in good condition? Even though the parking lot doesn’t seem like a big deal, it's a small feather in the cap of the customer's opinion of your business.
Sealcoating is the difference between a pavement that remains strong and looks good over time, and one that quickly deteriorates due to constant pressure. exposure to the elements. Sealcoating protects your asphalt from damage and helps it stay looking good for a long time.
How Much Does Asphalt Sealcoating Cost?
The cost of sealcoating depends on the area size and condition, with prices significantly lower than repaving costs. Investing in regular sealcoating saves money over time by avoiding extensive damages. While we would love to give generic answers right now, there are too many factors we need to see in person.
Knowing what your pavement needs and finding a customized solution can help you get the most out of your investment. This ensures you get the best service for your situation.
Avoid letting minor wear and tear escalate into costly repairs. Request a personalized quote today and take the first step towards protecting and enhancing your asphalt investment.
How Often Should Asphalt Be Sealed?
Sealcoating asphalt every 2-5 years is important for maintaining the surface's longevity and durability. This depends on the vehicle traffic your lot receives, too. School lots should be done every other year, where some churches could be more like every 7 years. A good rule of thumb we say is if your parking lot is gray it’s time for sealcoating. The gray is a sign the oils are leaving the surface.This will block UV rays, water, oil, and other harmful substances. These can cause damage and deterioration.
What Happens If You Don't Seal Your Asphalt Driveway?
Unsealed asphalt can quickly degrade, leading to potholes, and eventually a complete failure of the pavement structure. The cost of neglect far outweighs the price of regular sealcoating.
Why does my parking lot have cracks forming?
Cracking in asphalt parking lots is a very normal process. There are normal cracks that just need some maintenance, and there are bad cracks that need repair. We’ll quickly touch on both.
Most cracks business owners and property managers notice are called shrinkage cracks. When it gets cold outside, the asphalt parking lot wants to shrink. Asphalt is just a bunch of small rocks held together with oil. When you pull two rocks apart they split easily. When you push them together they stay close to each other. So in the winter when the parking lot shrinks, the cracks form. In the summer, whenever the asphalt gets warm and expands the cracks get smaller.
Crack filling is a normal part of sealcoating, that is addressed in a different blog post, here.
Choose Regional Groundwork for Your Sealcoating Needs
Regional Groundwork stands out as the premier choice for asphalt maintenance. We promise to make high-quality, safe asphalt surfaces that help bring communities together across the state.
Our team of experts always puts customers first to make sure every project meets our high standards of quality and professionalismSafeguard your asphalt and enhance your property's appeal and safety. When we show up on site we’re clean, our equipment is clean, and we work to make sure your patrons feel safe and proud of the apartment, business, or church they’re visiting.Contact us today for a personalized quote!
Sealcoating is a vital service for anyone looking to protect and preserve their asphalt investment. With Regional Groundwork, you're choosing a partner dedicated to providing top-notch sealcoating services tailored to your specific needs. We want you to choose us every time you need asphalt work and will work to make sure you’re happy and satisfied with the final product.
