Virtually every appliance, structure or machine will last longer and require fewer repairs if the owner is proactive about routine maintenance. Your heating and cooling system will use less energy and provide better indoor air quality if its filter is cleaned or replaced periodically. The wood trim on your home will last longer if you keep it painted or stained. Your carpet will not need to be replaced as quickly if you take care of spills immediately. Like all of these other things, your asphalt pavement will look better and have a longer life if you maintain it. An essential part of an effective asphalt maintenance program is to have a professional, reputable contractor apply a quality sealant at regularly scheduled intervals. The problem that many people have is that they do not always know how to determine whether a contractor will deliver a great sealcoating job or work that will fail quickly. Here are some warning signs that your contractor plans to cut too many corners and provide you with an inferior sealcoating job.
Mistakes You May See From a Sealcoating Contractor
Does Your Contractor Plan to Clean Your Pavement Before Sealcoating It?
Accumulations of leaves and trash need to be removed, but some unscrupulous or inexperienced contractors ignore the importance of eliminating sand, grass clippings, and dirt. Fine particles can settle in the asphalt’s pores, and if sealant is applied over trapped material, the sealcoating will usually start to flake or peel in a relatively short time. Reputable contractors know that asphalt sealcoating should only be applied to thoroughly cleaned, completely dry pavement.
Does Your Contractor Plan to Repair Cracks in Your Pavement?
Crack repair is another essential part of an effective maintenance plan. Cracks let water leak beneath the pavement and damage the foundation. Rebuilding a foundation will be more time-consuming and expensive than repairing the cracks. Some asphalt sealcoating contractors may try to convince potential customers that the sealant will take care of any cracks, but at best, sealcoating can only handle very tiny, extremely shallow cracks.
Does Your Contractor Have the Proper Equipment?
Two guys with squeegees and a few gallons of sealant purchased at the neighborhood home improvement store might be able to sealcoat a short, narrow driveway, but sealing a commercial parking lot will require more equipment, better equipment, and better sealcoating. Asphalt companies invest in quality equipment, and they will usually need a trailer to haul it all to the site. The precise material and choice of sealant will depend on the scope of the job as well as the contractor’s preferences, but it will not include a 55-gallon drum instead of a sealcoating tank, nor will it include cheap watered-down sealants.
Does Your Sealcoating Contractor Have a Viable Plan for Traffic Control?
Having sealcoating applied will cause a bit of inconvenience and disruption. However, allowing traffic on sealcoating before it is adequately cured is a leading cause of premature sealant failure. If you have a large parking lot, the work may need to be performed in sections. This allows you to keep parts of your parking lot open without having to permit traffic on the areas with uncured sealant. Whether the job will require completing the work in sections or in one phase, your sealcoating Atlanta contractor should have a definite plan for controlling traffic.
Is Your Contractor Insured?
Every asphalt paving service and sealcoating professional understands the need for business insurance. If one of your contractor’s employees is injured on your property, the contractor’s workers’ compensation policy should cover the associated medical expenses. If several cars belonging to your customers receive an accidental spray of sealant, the contractor’s liability insurance should pay for the cost of returning their vehicles to their former condition. You should consider it a warning sign if your contractor is vague or evasive about his insurance coverage. Reputable sealcoating contractors will not object to providing you with proof that they have valid insurance policies.
When You Need a True Professional, Contact MH Greeson
MH Greeson is a sealcoating contractor and specializes in the maintenance and repair of asphalt pavement for clients in Marietta, Atlanta and North Georgia. Our services include asphalt sealcoating, crack repairs, parking lot striping, asphalt paving and overlays, traffic signs, pothole repairs and the installation of car stops and bollards. Whether you need a tennis court resurfaced, a parking lot brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or a regular asphalt maintenance plan to make your job easier, we can help. We are known for delivering exceptional results at surprisingly affordable rates. Contact us today for a free quote by submitting the request form online or calling 770-335-2983.
