Unsealed asphalt is porous, leaving it vulnerable to oil, gas, and other corrosive liquid damage. Asphalt sealcoating helps to create a slick, more solid surface that repels automotive fluids and stops water from seeping into cracks where it could freeze. Once it cures, you can expect the sealcoating to last several years. It ensures that giving the sealant an appropriate amount of drying time preserves its longevity.
What Happens If You Drive or Walk On Asphalt Sealcoating Too Soon?
Asphalt seal coating dries from the surface down. If you walk or drive on it too soon, then your feet or the car tires can disrupt the materials below the surface that are still damp. Asphalt seal coating companies in Marietta, GA will ask you to keep people off the pavement to prevent premature flaking, cracking, and tracking.
How Does the Weather Impact the Drying Time?
Asphalt sealcoating in Marietta is impacted by the weather, and the best drying times occur on sunny days with low humidity. Since rain or snow can disrupt the application and drying processes, a Marietta asphalt sealcoating company will plan to perform the service when precipitation isn’t in the forecast.
While you can’t apply sealant in the rain, an experienced sealcoating contractor can use the protective coating in various temperatures. However, they’ll often extend the drying time on days with higher humidity, cloudy skies, or lower temperatures.
When Is Asphalt Sealcoating Dry Enough to Walk and Drive On?
Generally, you can walk on the pavement several hours after asphalt seal coating services. Most contractors will tell you to avoid driving on the pavement for at least 24 hours, but this could extend to 48 hours to be safer. Occasionally, you might need to wait longer, but this usually occurs during winter when the sun might peek out from the clouds less often.
Why Do I Still See Track Marks After Waiting the Appropriate Amount of Time?
Although it is safe to drive on the pavement after a day or two, you might still notice scuff marks showing up for the first months when the sealcoating is continuing to cure fully. Sealcoating is made up of a sealant that is mixed with additives.
Light track marks will eventually fade away, provided that you avoid making harsh movements with the tires during the early days of the curing process.
Learn What to Expect During Your Asphalt Seal Coating Project
MH Greeson Paving is a local asphalt sealcoating and asphalt maintenance company. We value communication throughout all of the phases of our parking lot maintenance projects, and we’ll even mention where you might want to include or update traffic signs, bollards, and car stops after the sealcoating is completed. For a custom quote and details about your upcoming sealcoating project, call us at 770-335-2983, email tripp@mhgreesonpaving.com, or complete our online form.
