Sealcoating is an essential part of asphalt maintenance. It protects paved surfaces from damaging UV rays, water, gasoline and other oxidizing substances that can quickly degrade pavement.
Whether you manage a large parking lot or just have a personal driveway, sealcoating will extend the life of your asphalt while improving its appearance. To do so, workers need to follow proper procedures when applying a seal coat. Visit https://www.rochesternysealcoating.com/ to learn more.
Asphalt pavement is prone to cracking due to its oxidation, which allows water to seep into the base. This can lead to deterioration and potholes, causing a safety risk for drivers and pedestrians. Sealcoating helps to prevent this by filling the cracks and sealing them from the outside elements.
However, asphalt repairs should be done before having seal coating applied. While it will improve the appearance of damaged pavement, it won’t fix it. If the damage is severe, it may even worsen if sealcoat is applied. This is why it is important to have a maintenance schedule set up, and to have any necessary repairs done before having the pavement sealcoated.
One of the main reasons why sealcoating is performed is to protect the asphalt from the sun’s UV rays. Over time, constant exposure to UV rays will cause the binder in your asphalt to degrade. As the binder deteriorates, it will lose its ability to hold together the sand and stone that make up your pavement foundation. This will eventually cause it to break down, creating small holes and alligator cracks that are costly and difficult to repair.
A sealcoat contains a mixture of coal tar, sand and other fine particles to help your pavement last longer. Some also contain anti-oxidation agents that help to slow down the deterioration process. There are also water-based acrylic sealants that use an acrylic polymer and water to protect your pavement from oxidation and weathering. However, these tend to be less effective than coal tar sealants and don’t protect as well against water penetration.
Workers need to wear appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) when working with the spray machines and other materials used for sealcoating. Coal tar is known to be carcinogenic, and repeated contact can cause long-term health problems. The best way to avoid this is by offering your employees the right PPE before starting the project.
The ideal conditions for sealcoating are warm and dry, with no chance of rain in the forecast for 24 hours after application. It is also essential that the area be closed off to traffic during the application process. This can be done by putting up cones and barricades to keep the public and your employees safe.
Prevents Oil Spills
Sealcoating acts as a shield, preventing oil and chemical spills from seeping into the asphalt paving material. When these substances penetrate the surface of a parking lot or driveway, they can cause significant damage to the paved material and weaken its structural integrity. However, if the sealcoating is properly maintained, it will provide a strong barrier to these corrosive materials, protecting the surface from long-term damage and extending its lifespan.
A high-quality, professional-grade sealcoat contains ingredients that are designed to resist oil and other chemicals. These compounds are typically carcinogenic, which means that if they come into direct contact with the skin or lungs, they can cause serious health issues for your employees. As such, it’s important to make sure your workers are protected by a properly fitted respirator mask during the sealcoating process.
It’s also important to note that sealcoating doesn’t completely hide oil spots. You will still be able to see the stain on the pavement’s surface, but it can significantly improve its appearance and protect it from future damage. Additionally, sealcoating is a relatively quick process that requires minimal disruption to your business. This makes it a great way to prevent costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your asphalt.
The sealcoat used in asphalt is a mix of liquid asphalt binder, sand, and other aggregates that are blended together to create an impermeable layer that can shield the underlying material from harmful elements. This is especially true of the asphalt emulsion-based sealcoats that are widely used in today’s industry. Unlike the refined coal tar that was first introduced in the 1950s, this newer type of binder has no petrochemicals, making it less susceptible to the damaging effects of sun’s UV rays, salts, oils, gasoline, and other automotive fluids.
In addition, these sealcoats contain fillers that can help repair minor cracks and pitting in the surface of your paved area. This can significantly reduce the amount of money you have to spend on extensive repair work and maintenance, allowing your asphalt to last longer and save you thousands of dollars.
Prevents Automotive Fluids from Penetrating
Asphalt is a byproduct of petroleum, just like gasoline, motor oil and other mechanical fluids. When these petrochemicals drip onto your blacktop pavement they are naturally compelled to combine with the asphalt on a molecular level. Over time, this compulsion weakens asphalt and reduces its adhesive qualities. This can result in the formation of soft, crumbly spots that quickly turn into potholes. Sealcoating creates a tough shell over the asphalt, blocking these automotive fluids from reaching the underlying foundation and reducing their damaging effects.
A fresh application of a high-quality asphalt sealer will restore the color and appearance of your parking lot or driveway, instantly improving its curb appeal. A well-maintained parking lot communicates that your business takes pride in its facilities and is an inviting place for customers to visit. Sealcoating will also help you save money by cutting down on maintenance costs. A well-sealed surface is easier to sweep, clean, power wash and patch small cracks. By spending less time and money on these tasks, you can allocate more resources to advertising and growing your business.
Before the sealcoating process begins, the asphalt must be cleaned of all dirt, chemicals and oil stains. It is important to hire a professional contractor with experience in the industry. A good contractor will use the best quality materials and employ a variety of methods to apply the sealcoating to your asphalt pavement. Some popular methods include brush coat, spray coat and squeegee coat. Each of these processes has its own unique advantages and can be used for different applications.
Once the sealcoating has been applied, it will take several hours to dry completely. It is recommended that you close your parking lot during this time so that no one will accidentally drive on the fresh sealcoat and destroy it.
A regular schedule of sealcoating will protect your asphalt surface from damage, and will increase its lifespan by at least double. This preventative maintenance is a relatively low cost and will save you a lot of money in the long run by preventing costly repairs and replacements.
Prevents Cracking
Sealcoating is the best way to prevent cracking and extend the life of asphalt pavement. It protects the surface from water, sun damage, automotive fluids, oxidation and other environmental factors that can weaken and degrade the asphalt. The application of a seal coat keeps the pavement strong and flexible so it can withstand the pressure from vehicular traffic. If the asphalt is weakened, it will crack and require costly repair or even replacement.
When the surface of a parking lot or driveway begins to show signs of wear, such as small cracks and fading from black to gray, it’s time for a seal coating. A well-maintained pavement looks attractive and professional, which can enhance a company’s reputation as well as attract and retain customers.
Before applying a seal coat, the pavement needs to be clean and free of debris. The contractor will use power washing and industrial sweepers to remove dirt, leaves, dust, oil, and other contaminants that can hinder the adhesion of the sealant. Once the surface is clean, the contractors will begin to apply a thick layer of the sealant to the pavement. The material is melted and applied using specialized equipment that heats the material to the correct temperature, usually between 380 and 410 degrees Fahrenheit.
The seal coat fills in the existing cracks and makes the pavement smooth again. It also protects the cracks from moisture that can seep into the base and create soft spots or holes. Cracks that are left untreated will widen and get deeper over time. They may also allow water to seep in and erode the base materials, which can cause the pavement to become brittle and crack.
It’s important to remember that sealcoating is a maintenance procedure, not a repair, and any structural failures or pavement cracks should be repaired prior to the application of a seal coat. A well-planned and implemented maintenance strategy can prolong the life of a pavement, reduce the frequency of major repairs, and extend the time between resurfacing projects. It’s also crucial to consider the long-term goals of a maintenance plan when budgeting for these projects.