There is no better, more cost-effective way to protect your asphalt pavement from damage than periodic applications of a high-quality sealcoating. Sealcoating blocks damaging UV rays and automotive fluids, and it enhances asphalt’s natural water-resistant properties. However, asphalt sealcoating is a sensitive product, so the procedure must be handled correctly to avoid a failure. The most common causes of sealcoating failures can be categorized as poor pavement preparation, contractor errors, and weather conditions.
How Might Poor Pavement Preparation Cause an Asphalt Sealcoating Failure?
Sealcoating contractors must sometimes spend as much time preparing a pavement as they do applying the sealant. Unless the pavement is prepared properly, the sealcoating will have an unattractive and surprisingly short life.
1. Birmingham asphalt sealcoating contractors must ensure that the pavement is free from tree sap, dirt, trash, and debris. Therefore, they must clean the pavement thoroughly before they apply a sealant. Otherwise, the sealcoating will be unable to form a strong bond with the contaminated pavement, so it will fail prematurely.
2. Oil and other vehicle fluids will prevent the sealcoating from adhering to the pavement. If a stain remains after a local asphalt sealcoating company cleans the pavement, it will be necessary to apply a primer to the stains.
3. Sealcoating contractors should never attempt to seal a pavement with unrepaired damage. The liquid sealant will drip into the breaks without repairing them, so water will still have an easy path to penetrate the structure of the pavement.
What Are Some Contractor Errors That Could Cause Asphalt Sealcoating to Fail?
Contractor errors include any missteps made by any team member of the asphalt sealcoating company at any stage of the procedure.
1. A Birmingham asphalt sealcoating company usually receives a concentrated powder from the manufacturer that must be mixed prior to application. The mix consists of the concentrated sealant, water, and sand, and each of these must be in the proper proportion. If your local asphalt sealcoating contractor errs when preparing the mix, the job will fail quickly.
2. Sealcoating must be applied in thin coats. If more than one coat is needed, the previous coat must be sufficiently dry before the next one is applied. If the employees of a Birmingham sealcoating company do not allow sufficient drying time, or if they apply the sealcoating too thickly, the results will be unsatisfactory.
3. Asphalt sealcoating in Birmingham should never be applied to a new pavement before the asphalt has exhausted its excess oil. Experienced sealcoating contractors know how to perform noninvasive tests to ensure that the pavement is ready to be sealed.
How Might the Weather Conditions Cause Sealcoating to Fail?
Local weather conditions can sometimes make it challenging to perform asphalt sealcoating in Birmingham. If contractors do not apply sealcoating under acceptable conditions, the job can fail.
1. A Birmingham asphalt sealcoating company should never start an application if rain is forecast for that day or during the following 24 hours. Depending on how much rain falls and how much time has passed since the application, the sealcoating could be completely washed away immediately, or it could be left with a pockmarked, discolored appearance.
2. The minimum temperature for applying Birmingham asphalt sealcoating is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit if all other conditions are acceptable. If the temperature falls too much before the water in the sealcoating mix evaporates, it can freeze, cracking the top layers and allowing them to be blown or washed away.
3. When performing asphalt sealcoating in Birmingham during the summer, contractors must also watch out for flash drying. Flash drying means that the sealcoating is evaporating its water before it has time to adhere properly to the pavement. The top layers harden, but the sealcoating underneath is still liquid and flowing. The movement of the underlying sealcoating will crack the layers that have already dried, allowing them to flake off and be blown away by the wind.
The Surface Masters can help you with all your asphalt maintenance needs, including asphalt sealcoating, pavement markings, asphalt repairs, crack sealing, asphalt paving, and milling and reclamation. We also offer concrete and curbing services. We have an untarnished reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and exemplary service. You can request a free quote by submitting the online form, calling 470-557-8985, or emailing Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com.
