If your responsibilities include the care and maintenance of asphalt pavement, you are probably aware of the many ways that sealcoating can prolong the life of your pavement while simultaneously improving its appearance. You may also be aware that the sealcoating season peaks during the summer months and begins to wind down around the middle of autumn. If you just discovered that you need to have fresh sealcoating applied, you may be wondering whether it is too late in the year to have the work done. Although end-of-season sealcoating requires the contractor to be more cautious, it is often possible. However, the weather must be cooperative throughout the process.
End Season Sealcoating In The Atlanta Area -Required Weather Conditions
The first condition that your sealcoating professional must consider is the temperature. The minimum temperature at which sealcoating can be applied is 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and this refers to both the ambient temperature and the temperature of the ground. The temperature cannot drop lower than 50 degrees until the sealant is completely dry, which can take up to 24 hours during November and December.
Your contractor will have to consider the scope of the work when deciding whether sealcoating is possible. If the job requires multiple coats, each coat will probably have to be applied on a different day due to the extended curing time and reduced hours of sunlight present late in the year. This can increase the time that your pavement must be closed to traffic, but since the contractor will need to move his crew and equipment more than once, it can also drive up the price.
Because sealants are liquid when applied, they rely on evaporation to dry, and at cooler temperatures, evaporation takes longer. However, sealants also rely on solar radiation to cure. Late in the year, your pavement will not receive much exposure to sunlight after about 2 pm. Your contractor will have to consider the effect that the reduced sunlight will have on the curing process when determining the total time required to complete the project.
Once your sealcoating professional has determined the number of days that the entire project will require, he will need to study the weather forecast. Until sealcoating is fully cured, rain can ruin it, so there should be no possibility of precipitation during the project. He will also want to ensure that the overnight temperatures will not drop below 50 degrees during that time.
Is End-Season Sealcoating Always Necessary?
Although it is always better to go into the winter months with fresh sealcoating, it may not be an absolute necessity. Your contractor will evaluate the condition of your pavement to determine whether you could wait until spring to sealcoat. At times, it is better to fill cracks, repair potholes and remove oil or gasoline spills before winter hits, delaying the sealcoating until spring.
MH Greeson Paving is an asphalt paving company and we have the experience to apply sealcoating when conditions are marginal. We also have the experience to know when it is not advisable to sealcoat asphalt pavement. We specialize in asphalt maintenance and repairs, including sealcoating, parking lot striping, crack filling and pothole repairs. Our mission is to provide extraordinary work at affordable rates to customers in Atlanta, Smyrna, Marietta. Alpharetta, Cartersville and many other locations in North Georgia. You can complete the online form to request a free quote or call us at 770-335-2983.
https://greesonsealcoating.com/crack-repair-is-vital-for-asphalt-maintenance/
