5 Big Mistakes Most People Make With Asphalt Sealcoating
Regular sealcoating is your ticket to beautiful, long-lasting and resilient pavement. The best thing you can do is hire a professional Chicago asphalt sealcoating contractor to handle this critical maintenance task. Otherwise, you might run into a few common asphalt sealcoating mistakes.
Sealcoating is only effective when done right. Unfortunately, attempting a DIY job or turning to an inexperienced service provider can end in disastrous results. Here are some of the biggest mistakes people encounter with asphalt sealcoating.
What Kind of Asphalt Sealcoating Mistakes Can Occur If I Don’t Get This Service Routinely?
One of the most costly mistakes you can make is failing to get this service done regularly. Generally, experts recommend sealcoating parking lots, driveways and other asphalt surfaces every three to five years. The exact timeline will vary based on your pavement’s current condition, age and exposure level.
The parking lot sealcoat product a contractor uses to protect your pavement breaks down over time, so you must contact a sealcoating contractor regularly. Failing to refresh your sealcoating will result in substandard protection from the elements, faster deterioration and more frequent damage.
What Happens If I Ignore the Weather When Planning My Sealcoating Appointment?
Seasoned Chicago asphalt sealcoating contractors are mindful of the weather when scheduling appointments. Why? Precipitation, high humidity levels, cool temperatures and excessive wind can all interfere with how parking lot sealcoat products adhere to pavement.
Asphalt emulsion sealers must cure slowly and evenly. Furthermore, every product has specific environmental conditions to facilitate curing. Inclement weather will ruin a product’s bond with your pavement, resulting in peeling, cracking and lackluster protection.
Can a Sealcoating Company Use Sealer as a Gap Filler?
Contrary to popular belief, asphalt sealcoating in Chicago isn’t a catch-all solution to all your pavement problems. Parking lot sealcoat products are thin and dense, easily flowing into cracks. However, that’s not the purpose of these asphalt emulsions.
Less-experienced companies try to cut corners by treating sealers as crack fillers. This is a lazy way to address cracks. Before sealcoating parking lots or roadways, you must take time to make all repairs. That includes filling and sealing cracks, patching potholes, etc.
How Important is Site Preparation for Asphalt Sealcoating in Chicago?
Site preparation is crucial, and an experienced sealcoating company will take time to ensure that every inch of pavement is as clean as possible. Asphalt sealcoating in Chicago requires a clean and dry surface to maximize bonding. Without proper site prep, the dry sealer will peel off and provide inadequate protection from the elements.
Reliable Chicago asphalt sealcoating contractors work hard to remove vegetation, sweep up debris, blast dust out of cracks and more. Depending on your property’s needs, contractors may power-wash surfaces or apply a pre-treatment solution to oil stains. The extra work makes a huge difference in your pavement’s longevity.
What Asphalt Sealcoating Mistakes Happen Due to Improper Curing?
When sealcoating parking lots, roads, driveways and more, you must give the product time to cure. Most sealers take between 24 and 48 hours to cure fully. During that time, you must keep vehicle and pedestrian traffic off your pavement! The biggest mistake you can make is ignoring the curing process. Not only will you ruin the finish, but you’ll have a nasty mess on your hands.
Another common sealcoating faux pas is attempting to do one thick coat to save time. Skilled asphalt sealcoating contractors will do two or more thin coats, allowing each to dry. Applying a single thick coat leads to improper curing and an ugly finish.
Leave your pavement’s most important maintenance task to a skilled sealcoating company like Black Hawk Paving & Construction. We’ve been in business since 1975, and we’ve spent the last five decades earning the trust of property owners throughout Chicago and the surrounding communities. We’ve become the go-to provider of new asphalt paving, maintenance, repairs, concrete curbing and more.
When you turn to Black Hawk, you can expect impeccable work and customer service you can count on, regardless of your needs. Call Black Hawk Paving today at (708) 554-6779 to get a free quote. You can also reach us through our online contact form or email the team at info@blackhawkpaving.com.
