Although asphalt pavements can deliver numerous benefits, they will require a little routine maintenance to achieve their full life expectancy. One of the most effective and economical ways to protect your asphalt pavement is to sealcoat it periodically. Some people assume that a thick coat of sealant will offer better protection. However, unlike the choice of a sweater on a cold day, asphalt sealcoating is definitely a situation in which thicker is not better, primarily due to the way that sealants dry and cure.
How Does Asphalt Sealcoating Dry and Cure?
The first thing you should know is that drying and curing are not the same thing. As a sealcoating contractor can tell you, sealcoat can feel dry to the touch before it has cured. Asphalt parking lot sealcoating is about 70% water, and this water needs to evaporate for the particles contained in the mixture to knit together, form a protective barrier, and establish a strong bond with the pavement. Sealcoats evaporate their water from the top down; if an asphalt maintenance contractor applies too thick a coat of sealant, the top layer can dry while the lower layers are still in flux.
If you are extremely lucky, about the best you can hope for are cracks in your sealcoating. More than likely, however, the results will be far worse. The trapped sealant may never cure properly. Additionally, the sealant will flake off, starting with the very top layer, then continuing with each newly exposed layer. In the end, your pavement will have little or no protection from the sealant application. You will need to have your parking lot sealcoating job repeated quickly, often within just a few weeks.
What If a Thin Layer of Asphalt Sealcoating Is Not Enough to Protect My Pavement Properly?
When sealcoating parking lots, contractors virtually never apply just one thin layer of sealant. Instead, they apply a thin coat, wait for it to dry, and then apply a second coat. If you deem a third coat necessary, you will not apply it until the second coat has dried. Once the final coat of sealant has cured sufficiently, your parking lot maintenance contractor can proceed with repainting your stripes and markings.
Does the Application Method Control the Thickness of Asphalt Parking Lot Sealcoating?
Parking lot sealcoating can be applied with sprayers or squeegees, and some contractors choose to employ both on certain jobs. If your asphalt maintenance contractor’s workers are untrained and inexperienced, they can apply the sealcoat too thickly regardless of whether they use sprayers or squeegees. Conversely, if your contractor’s crew members are properly trained and well-experienced, they will be capable of using either method to apply a thin coat of sealant. Therefore, you should spend the time necessary to select a competent, reputable contractor for all of your parking lot maintenance jobs, including your parking lot sealcoating.
Trust Royal Pavement Solutions, Long Island’s Leading Asphalt Maintenance and Paving Company
Whether you need sealcoating, asphalt crack repair, lot striping, asphalt milling, site work, asphalt paving, sweeping and portering, concrete work, building maintenance, or asphalt repairs, we have the skills, experience, and staffing to serve you. Royal Pavement Solutions is a locally owned paving company with a deep commitment to delivering exemplary craftsmanship on every job. Our goal is your complete satisfaction, and we are more than willing to put in the work needed to reach that goal. We would be happy to provide you with a free quote if you will fill out our online request form. You can also call our Islip office at 844-777-7924 if you prefer.
