Rochester NY Sealcoating helps to keep your asphalt driveway, parking lot, or road looking new. The process blocks oxidizing substances that can cause your pavement to deteriorate.

Before workers can begin sealing your blacktop, the weather conditions must be right. It can’t be too hot or cold, and there can’t be rain in the forecast.

Sealcoating protects your asphalt from the elements and prolongs its life by adding a layer of protection that blocks out water, oil, chemicals and UV damage. It also imparts a rich, dark color that enhances your driveway or parking lot’s curb appeal. Regular sealcoating will prevent your driveway or parking lot from cracking, chipping, or deteriorating as quickly as untreated pavement, saving you money in costly repairs down the road.

Before the actual process of applying the seal coat, it is important to prepare the surface and clean away any oil spots or other contamination. This is because if oil is allowed to soak into the new sealcoat, it will break down and cause the new coat to flake or peel. In order to avoid this, it is recommended that the surface of the pavement be cleaned with a gas blower, degreaser and scrub brush before the application of the sealcoat.

After cleaning the asphalt surface, a primer is applied to prepare it for the application of the sealcoat. This is because the sealcoat needs to bond well with the asphalt in order for it to last. Then, the surface is blown dry with a gas blower and any cracks or holes are repaired. Before the final application of the sealcoat, the temperature must be above fifty degrees and the surface should be free from any oil or grease spots.

Once the surface has been prepared, the sealcoat can be applied to the asphalt pavement using a rubber squeegee or spray application. It is important to follow the manufacturers’ recommendations regarding the amount of sand and additives to be used in the mixture. Sand provides traction and gives the sealcoat a uniform textured glare-free appearance, while additives offer better flexibility, durability and resistance to liquids and heavy traffic flow. The climate and environmental conditions in your area will also play a part in the type of additives and mix design that is best for your asphalt. If you have any questions, consult with a local asphalt paving contractor for guidance. It is also important to wear adequate personal protective equipment while working with sealcoating material. This should include long sleeved shirts, pants, impervious boots and gloves and safety goggles.

Durability

Sealcoating has a limited lifespan and will need to be reapplied periodically. However, it’s an affordable way to prolong the life of your asphalt surface and save you the cost of a full pavement replacement. It protects against serious water damage, limits the harmful effects of UV rays on asphalt and helps to stop cracks from getting larger. It also limits the penetration of oil, fuel, deicers and chemicals that can cause a paved surface to degrade over time.

The best way to maximize the lifespan of your sealcoating is to take care of the paved surface after it is applied. Proper maintenance, including regular sweeping and pressure washing, can greatly reduce the amount of dirt and debris that can wear down the coating. It is also important to address any cracks or potholes promptly after they appear so that the underlying pavement is not compromised.

It is also recommended to use a hot rubberized material on any cracks that are not filled during the sealcoating process, as this will help to prevent them from expanding or re-cracking. It is important to avoid parking heavy vehicles or equipment directly on the sealcoating, as this can cause indentation and premature wear.

In order to get the most out of your sealcoating, it is important to follow all of the manufacturers guidelines. This includes using a high-quality product that is formulated to work with your specific paving material, following all directions and guidelines for application and letting the sealer cure properly before allowing traffic to resume.

It is also recommended to use a ride-on sealcoating rig with a rubber squeegee for maximum efficiency and comfort. This method allows you to pack the sealcoat into all of the cracks and crevices of your paved surface. It is also a good idea to use the thumb test to make sure the coat has cured sufficiently. This test involves placing your thumb at various points on the surface and twisting it to see if there is any pickup. If you can’t feel any pick up, the sealcoat is ready to be used.

Appearance

Aside from providing protection and durability sealcoating also enhances the appearance of the paved surface. It gives the asphalt a fresh, black, clean and brand new look. When a property owner invests in regular sealcoating and pavement marking, it provides a great first impression to customers, tenants or residents entering the parking lot or walking up to the entrance of their building.

Sealcoating is made from a mix of emulsified asphalt, water, mineral fillers and various mixtures of additives. The most important ingredient in any sealcoating is the binder which holds all the ingredients together. It also provides the asphalt surface with its rich black color and binds the aggregate to the liquid asphalt. The other main ingredient in sealcoating is the sand which helps to maintain proper thickness and provide the traction needed for vehicle movement.

The sand in the sealcoating mix is measured and graded on a screen for % retained (how much sand remains after passing through the sieve) and % passed (how much sand does not remain). The sand must be sized properly to produce the right texture, adhesion and traction for the cured sealcoating film. The use of sand not meeting the manufacturer’s specifications can cause premature wear and cracking.

It is important that the surface being sealed is cleaned prior to application of the sealcoat. Oil spots should be treated with an oil spot primer and oxidized surfaces should be primed with either a tack or primer coat.

One of the biggest problems with sealcoating is failure or peeling. There are many reasons why this happens but most importantly the surface was not allowed to fully cure. This usually is caused by the temperature dropping or the surface being covered with something that prevents the sealcoat from curing properly.

Another reason is that only one coat was applied versus the recommended two coats. Two coats will give twice as much appearance and protection as only one coat. The last reason is that the sand used in the sealcoat was not of the correct grade. This can also lead to premature wear and cracking of the cured sealcoat.

Safety

Sealcoating is a fast and effective way to repair asphalt. However, it does have some safety risks that need to be taken into consideration.

Before beginning any work, make sure to read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) that is provided by the sealcoating manufacturer. This will give you a better idea of the chemicals involved in the product and their potential effects on people and the environment. Wearing gloves, eye protection, a mask and hearing or ear protection is also a good idea to prevent any possible exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Another important safety factor when working with sealcoating is the weather conditions. It’s best to have a clear and dry day for the application process, which can take up to a full day. If it is too hot or rainy, the sealant won’t adhere properly and will shed and flake off the surface. The pavement must be free of any dirt, oil, or debris, as well, before the sealing can begin. This can be done using a gas blower, degreaser, scrub brush, or water hose.

Working on any type of jobsite comes with its own set of dangers, and working with asphalt and seal coating is no different. In addition to the obvious risk of getting hit by a car, there is also the possibility of exposure to the various chemicals used in the process.

Coal tar-based sealcoats contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which can cause cancer, birth defects and even death in fish, insects and other organisms that come into contact with it. These chemicals can also seep into the groundwater, contaminating it and making it unsafe for drinking.

If you need to get your pavement sealcoated during the summer, it’s important that you hire a contractor who is experienced in working in extreme temperatures. They will know how to handle the situation and minimize any potential health risks for themselves, their employees, or the environment. In addition, they will be able to use a special machine like an asphalt sprayer, which makes the whole process much faster and easier.