Sealcoating provides benefits to asphalt pavements that are not completely unlike the benefits that knights once received from their armor. Armor helped protect knights from injuries, and sealcoating helps protect asphalt pavements from harmful forces. However, a botched sealcoating job is going to be of little or no help to your pavement.
What Are the Keys to a Successful Sealcoating Job?
The sealcoating company you select will play a major role in the success of your work. You want to find a highly experienced parking lot sealcoating contractor with a great reputation, good communication skills, and the ability to pay attention to every detail. You do not want to risk hiring a novice or dodgy contractor who might cut corners or overlook important steps. Thus, finding the right sealcoating contractor is the first key to a successful job.
What Are the Other Keys to a Successful Job?
The other keys to success are the steps your asphalt maintenance contractor takes to sealcoat your parking lot or other pavement.
1. You cannot apply a sealcoat over unrepaired pavement damage and expect success. Whether you are talking about street, driveway, or parking lot sealcoating, significant cracks and potholes must be repaired first. Otherwise, the liquid sealant will drain into the voids and be wasted.
2. You should not apply a sealant to a new pavement until the asphalt is sufficiently cured. When installing your pavement, your asphalt paving company should have advised of how long this would take. The normal wait is between three and nine months. However, you should never wait for more than 12 months to sealcoat a new asphalt pavement.
3. Your sealcoating company should apply multiple thin coats instead of one thick coat. Like paint, thick coats of sealant will take much longer to dry, and they may never manage to cure properly.
4. Your parking lot maintenance contractor should make sure that your pavement is completely clean before starting the sealant application. Dirt, grass clippings, and other contaminants will prevent the sealant from adhering properly.
5. Your sealcoating company should know the acceptable tolerances for every sealcoat they apply. Acceptable tolerances are provided by the sealant manufacturer, and they specify the range of temperatures, humidity levels, hours of sunlight, and wind speeds that will permit successful applications.
6. The pavement must be completely dry before applying a sealant. Furthermore, no rain should fall for at least the first 24 hours.
7. Your sealcoating company will tell you how long you should wait before you allow pedestrians and vehicles to access your pavement. Pedestrians can often be given access within a few hours, but vehicle traffic will usually need to be denied access until the following day.
Black Hawk Paving has been providing parking lot maintenance services, including sealcoating, to clients in the greater Chicago area since 1975. We also offer asphalt crack sealing, asphalt repair, concrete curbing, asphalt milling, car stops, asphalt paving, excavations, concrete flatwork, site grading, parking lot striping, sewer repair, asphalt fabric, traffic sign installation, and pavement markings. We have an exceptional reputation for service, workmanship, integrity, and professionalism. If you are interested in receiving a free quote, submit your request by completing the online form, calling 708-479-0400 or 847-240-2560, or emailing Info@BlackHawkPaving.com.
