Asphalt Sealcoating: The Common Failures and Causes

If you have an asphalt pavement, there is no better way to give it a longer life with fewer expensive repairs than applying asphalt sealcoating every two or three years. However, if the sealant flakes off, cracks, peels away, or fails to bond, your pavement will not be receiving the protection that it deserves. These common failures can be caused by a variety of factors, including application errors, pavement preparation, and weather conditions.

What Application Errors Can Cause Asphalt Sealcoating to Fail Prematurely?

Sealcoating should always be applied in thin coats, and each coat should be allowed to dry before the next one is applied. Some novice or unscrupulous asphalt maintenance contractors will try to speed things up by applying one thick coat of sealant instead. It is highly unlikely that a thick coat will cure properly. Furthermore, asphalt sealcoating contractors must prepare the sealant correctly for the application. If they do not, the sealant may be unable to create a strong bond with the pavement, or it may be too thin to serve any useful purpose.

How Does the Preparation of an Asphalt Pavement Impact the Success of a Sealcoating Job?

Whether they are painting houses or sealcoating parking lot pavements, experienced professionals know that they must prepare the surface first. When performing asphalt sealcoating Orange County contractors know that they need to ensure that the pavement has been adequately prepared.

• The pavement must be as clean as possible so that there is nothing to interfere with the establishment of a strong bond. This means that there cannot be loose gravel, dirt, dead leaves, trash, or any other debris that will come between the sealant and the pavement.
• Oil and other vehicle fluids need to be thoroughly cleaned. In some cases, these spots may need to have a primer applied prior to sealing.
• Potholes, alligatored asphalt, and other damage must be repaired before the sealant can be applied. Many parking lot maintenance companies that offer asphalt sealing also offer crack repairs and asphalt patching, so you might want to consider choosing a contractor who can provide you with all the services you will need.
• High-traffic areas can sometimes suffer from a condition known as aggregate polishing. Sealants cannot bond to smooth, exposed stones or rocks, so these areas will typically need a primer applied first.
• A new pavement needs to be sufficiently cured prior to sealing. Otherwise, the asphalt will contain too much oil to allow bonding to occur. Typically, a parking lot paving company in Orange County will recommend waiting for at least three months before sealing a new pavement. In some cases, the waiting time could be longer, but it should not exceed 12 months. Asphalt sealcoating contractors must know how to determine whether the pavement is ready to be sealed if the application is to be successful.

How Do Weather Conditions Affect Asphalt Sealcoating?

The weather can sometimes make asphalt sealcoating Orange County pavements tricky. Sealants cure faster when the temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the humidity is below 50%, the skies are not overcast, and the wind is light and steady. If the temperature is below 50 degrees, or if there is a heavy cloud cover, curing will take longer, and there is a possibility that the sealant will never cure properly. Furthermore, any rain that falls within 24 hours of the application could cause the sealant to fail.

For Exceptional Work, Trust Your Pavement to Peterson Grading and Paving

Peterson Grading & Paving specializes in pavement installation, maintenance, and repair with a wide range of services, including sealcoating, asphalt paving, concrete installation, asphalt repairs, parking lot striping, asphalt overlays, concrete repair, bollard installation, line removal, and asphalt crack repairs. We have an exemplary reputation for outstanding workmanship and superior customer service. We offer free quotes, so submit the online form, call 949-402-6979, or email Ryan@GradePave.com to request yours today.