Experienced sealcoating and asphalt paving companies know that they have to keep a close eye on the weather forecast in Atlanta when planning a job. Even a light mist that falls before the sealant is dry can have unwelcome consequences, so they must ensure that no rain is predicted during the critical period. Sealcoating & Atlanta’s Weather has four other factors that are important to the success of an Atlanta sealcoating job.
Sealcoating & Atlanta’s Weather – What You Can Expect
Temperature of Pavement and Air
Two temperatures must be evaluated for a sealcoating job. The first is the temperature of the air, which is also called the ambient temperature. The second is the temperature of the pavement. Most of the time, these two temperatures are within a few degrees of each other. However, early in the morning, the ambient temperature may be higher than the surface temperature, and late in the day, the reverse may be true.
Sealants are designed to be applied when the ambient and surface temperatures are both above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and rising. The temperature needs to remain above that point until the sealant is thoroughly cured. As a rule, the cooler it is, the longer it will take the sealant to cure. This is because the water in the sealant needs to evaporate for proper drying and curing to occur. At lower temperatures, evaporation is slowed. However, it should be noted that it can sometimes be too hot to apply sealcoating; very high temperatures can cause the water to evaporate too quickly, and if this happens, the sealant may not form a strong bond to the pavement.
Relative Humidity
The relative humidity refers to how much moisture there is in the air. Higher humidity levels indicate moister air, and lower humidity levels indicate drier air. Ideally, the humidity level should be below 50 percent, but under no circumstances should sealant be applied if the humidity level exceeds 90 percent. The dryer the air is, the easier it is for the water in the sealant to evaporate. At very high humidity levels, the air is already holding so much moisture that it slows or stalls the evaporation of the water in the sealant.
Wind
Some professional painters like to place a fan in the room that they have just painted to speed the drying process. This is because well-circulated air helps boost the rate of evaporation by moving the water molecules that have already escaped out of the way of those that are still trying to break free. With sealcoating, it is the wind that circulates the air to help the sealant dry faster. It does not take a lot of wind to affect the speed at which the sealant will dry; even wind speeds in the single digits can expedite drying.
Sunshine
Although sealcoating can sometimes be applied at night or on a very cloudy day, most contractors prefer to perform this service on a sunny day. Sunlight helps the sealant cure by renewing the temperatures throughout the day. If you have ever been outside on a bright day when clouds suddenly block the sun, you have probably noticed that you felt cooler almost immediately. The clouds were preventing the renewal of heat from the sunlight, so the temperature fell. Without sunlight, the water in the sealant will take longer to evaporate, extending the time that the area must remain closed.
Hire a Professional for Your Sealcoating Project
At MH Greeson Paving, we specialize in asphalt sealcoating in Atlanta, including crack filling, parking lot striping, pothole repairs and pavement markings. We also offer asphalt paving services and install car stops, traffic signs and bollards. We are committed to providing exceptional work at affordable rates without sacrificing personal attention and customer service. You can use our online form to request a free quote or call us at (770) 335-2983.
We also serve the areas of Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Cartersville, Alpharetta, Acworth, and Kennesaw, GA.
