Sometimes, it is fine to take shortcuts that improve efficiency without negatively affecting an outcome. For example, taking a shortcut that shaves miles off your commute without lengthening the time can be helpful. However, a shortcut that has a detrimental effect on an outcome should be avoided. Unfortunately, some sealcoating contractors take inappropriate shortcuts that lead to inferior work and unhappy clients. These shortcuts can involve scheduling, but others involve mix preparation, pavement preparation, and sealant application.
What Are Some Unacceptable Scheduling Shortcuts an Asphalt Sealcoating Company Might Take?
Asphalt maintenance contractors need to make sure that the proper equipment is available at the scheduled start time. The sealcoating company must also ensure that it schedules the appropriate number of employees with the correct skills. A shortage of either equipment or workers can compromise the quality of the work. However, there is another common scheduling shortcut that can have even more serious consequences, and that involves the weather. Sealcoating is extremely reliant on the proper weather conditions to cure correctly. Sometimes, especially when sealcoating parking lots, contractors will not wait for suitable conditions to start or complete the work.
What Shortcuts Should a Paving Company Avoid When Preparing a Sealcoating Mix?
The asphalt contractor who receives the concentrated sealant is responsible for preparing a liquid mix for application. Each sealcoat manufacturer provides a specific recipe for preparing the mix. The recipe tells contractors how much sand, water, and sealant they should mix together. Contractors should measure each ingredient carefully, but some contractors mistakenly think that they can eyeball the amounts accurately. A bigger problem arises when asphalt paving companies create their own recipes for reconstituting the sealcoat. Typically, this shortcut is an attempt to reduce the contractor’s cost. For example, the contractor might eliminate sand from the recipe to increase the amount of water. This allows the contractor to cover a larger area with the same amount of sealant. However, the sealant will be too thin to provide adequate protection, and it will quickly wear away.
What Sealcoating Shortcuts Should a Contractor Avoid When Preparing the Pavement?
Asphalt maintenance contractors must make sure that the pavement and the sealant can establish a strong bond. Dirt, loose gravel, tree sap, grass clippings, and other contaminants on the pavement interfere with bonding. Therefore, a sealcoating company must thoroughly clean the pavement before starting the application. Another important step in preparing the pavement is to repair any significant cracks or other breaks. The liquid sealcoat will simply drain into the openings without closing them.
What Application Errors Might an Asphalt Sealcoating Company Make?
The most common error is to apply a thick coat of sealant instead of the appropriate number of thin coats. Just like paint, thick coats of sealant cannot dry and cure as they should. About the best you can hope for is a pavement with an unattractive surface. Another error is using the wrong method to apply the sealant. There are two basic methods for applying sealcoating, and many contractors commonly use both methods on virtually every job.
1. Sprayers can cover large areas quickly, but workers may find it difficult to get a sprayer into tight areas.
2. Squeegees allow workers to apply the sealant with greater precision around structures or in tight spots. However, it takes longer to apply a sealant with a squeegee than with a sprayer.
If you are looking for an experienced sealcoating company, call Black Hawk Paving. Our other services include asphalt paving, hot crack sealing, asphalt milling, parking lot striping, asphalt patching, site work, and concrete paving and repair. We have a sterling reputation for customer service, honesty, craftsmanship, and professionalism. Contact us today to request a free quote. You can call 708-479-0400, complete the online form, or email Info@BlackHawkPaving.com.
