05 Jun

What is Sealcoating?

sealcoating

 

Does your property have an asphalt pavement or driveway? If it does, you probably made a significant investment to have it installed. As a result, you’d like it to stay in tip-top conditions throughout the years. Fortunately, you can accomplish this through seal coating.

But what exactly is sealcoating? A sealcoat is a layer or membrane of sprayed-on asphalt. It is then followed by a thin layer of aggregate material, which could comprise sand, stone, or gravel. When seal coating is done, it ensures your asphalt pavement is durable, weather-resistant, and durable.

However, if you’d like to apply a sealcoat, you need to consult professionals. Luckily, our company, Jireh Construction, is well-versed in carrying out these applications. We ensure to handle every task effectively, leaving your pavements or driveways attractive and durable.

That said, here’s all you need to know about sealcoating.

 

How Do We Apply a Seal Coat?

Sealcoating is an engaging procedure. And we understand that there exist different types of seal coating material. However, every method Jireh Construction uses follows a process of cleaning and patching your asphalt pavement and driveways.

Afterward, we will coat the entire surface of your asphalt using a liquid sealer. The sealer creates an impenetrable layer/barrier after drying up. That way, your pavement is protected from the adverse effects of wind, water, and UV rays. Such elements could easily degrade the asphalt, resulting in cracking or crumbling.

Typically, our experts follow the following steps:

  • All dirt and debris should be removed from the asphalt surface before pavement sealing. Minor repairs, such as potholes and cracks, should also be filled, and vehicle fluids, such as oil, should be removed properly.
  • We usually apply a minimum of two coats.
  • Before application, we ensure the temperatures are at a minimum of 50 degrees and rising for at least 24 hours. If the forecast states the temperature will be below 50 degrees, we cannot apply the coat.
  • We cannot apply if rain is forecasted to fall within 24 hours
  • After application, we’ll let the seal coat cure for approximately 24 hours. After that, you can drive on it.

Benefits of Sealcoating

 

If you have asphalt on your property, here are some of the reasons you should consider seal coating.

 

  • Prevents the asphalt from hardening and crumbling, extending the life of the driveway and parking lot.
  • Sealing the driveway prevents salts, chemicals, and moisture from penetrating the surface.
  • It leaves an attractive, uniform coat on the pavement, especially if cracks and holes are properly filled before applying seal coating.
  • Seal coating is a low-cost method of repairing or resurfacing existing pavement, thereby extending the life of the pavement and driveway.
  • Seal coating helps to speed up the melting of snow and ice on the pavement. Water penetration, rain, frost, and snow damage are all reduced as a result of this.
  • It only entails two processes – spraying and squeegee

Types of Seal Coating

 

We mainly use two products for sealcoating – asphalt emulsion coatings and coal tar sealers. Coal tar sealers are cheaper compared to the former, but they require significant product management. We always recommend you call experts for this application.

 

Why’s that? We have the necessary skills and equipment for the job. We recommend this type of sealcoat for clients worried about chemical and fuel spills.

 

On the other hand, asphalt emulsion sealers are much easier to apply. Besides, they emit lesser volatile organic compounds compared to coal tar sealers. We mostly apply asphalt emulsion sealers to homes because they’re less resistant to chemical spills.

 

You must also know that each type of sealer has specific manufacturer instructions. Therefore, you should leave the application process to qualified experts mainly because we know the intended use for every product.

 

Other types of asphalt emulsion sealers include fast-dry and acrylic sealers. Acrylic sealers are synthetic compounds, and they tend to be costly. Fortunately, they’re a little more environmentally-friendly and expose technicians to fewer health risks.

 

On the other hand, fast-dry sealers are recommended for high-traffic areas. That’s because you can walk on the surface an hour after we apply the seal coating. However, they’re not so durable.

 

With that said, do you want seal coating on your asphalt pavement? Pick up your phone and call us today!