Sometimes, shortcuts can save you time or money. For example, finding a route to your job faster and shorter can be a good thing. However, in the construction trades, shortcuts can often lead to unacceptable results. Great carpenters measure carefully before they make a cut, professional roofers make sure that the asphalt shingles they are about to install all came from the same lot, and experienced painters use tarps to protect items that could be ruined by spatter. When applying sealcoating, parking lot maintenance companies must also pay careful attention to all details if they want to please their customers. Although there are a few shortcuts that experienced contractors learn that do not impact their work quality, there are several that no reputable sealcoating contractor would ever take.
Sealcoating Shortcuts an Asphalt Contractor Should Never Take
What Are Some Shortcuts That Sealcoating Contractors Should Avoid?
Sealant manufacturers conduct extensive research on their products to determine how they will perform under various conditions. The manufacturer then supplies contractors with instructions that detail exactly what must be done to achieve successful results. Inexperienced, incompetent, or uncaring contractors sometimes take shortcuts and skip steps in the instructions. The shortcuts that are the most critical to avoid are failing to monitor the weather forecast, not making necessary repairs to the pavement, failing to clean the pavement thoroughly, applying the sealcoat too thickly, and not allowing the sealant to cure sufficiently before opening the area to traffic.
Why Do Asphalt Sealing Contractors Need to Monitor the Weather Forecast?
Sealcoating products should never be applied unless the temperature is above 50 degrees and rising, and the temperature should not dip below 50 degrees for 24 hours. If the relative humidity is high, the cutoff point may need to be set higher. Wind speeds also matter. If there is too much wind, it will be more difficult to ensure an even spray pattern during the application. Lastly, if water droplets land on the uncured sealant, the job can be completely ruined, so there should be no chance of rain falling immediately before, during, and for 24 hours after the application.
Why Do Contractors Need to Make Repairs Before Sealcoating?
Sealcoating is not a repair method. Although it can cover tiny cracks and other surface flaws, it is no substitute for asphalt crack sealing or pothole repairs. The sealcoating will flow into these openings without closing them, providing no protection. Water, oil, and dirt will enter, inflicting damage on the pavement and possibly eroding the foundation.
Why Is a Clean Pavement Important for Sealcoating?
Sealcoat bonds with asphalt pavement to create a tough, durable shell. Anything that interferes with this bond can cause the sealant to flake off, leaving the pavement unprotected. Dirt, trash, gravel, vegetation, and chemicals leaked from vehicles can prevent the bond from forming.
Why Should Sealcoating Contractors Worry About Applying the Sealant Too Thickly?
When performing parking lot sealcoating, it is usually necessary to apply two thin coats of sealant. If a contractor tries to speed things up by using the same amount of sealant in a single coat, the job will be a failure. The sealant at the very top will dry, but below the dry layer, the sealant will remain liquid. As long as it is in its liquid state, the sealant will move, tearing apart the surface layer that has dried. The sealant cracks and flakes off, sometimes within just a few weeks.
If Traffic Is Given Access to a Freshly Sealed Pavement Too Soon, What Will Happen?
Contractors are sometimes under pressure from their customers to reopen an area quickly. This is especially common when contractors are asked to perform both parking lot sealcoating and striping for the same customer. Depending on how far along the curing process is, pedestrians could ruin their shoes, the tires on vehicles could track the sealant, or the entire job could be ruined.
Why Should I Call MH Greeson?
MH Greeson specializes in asphalt sealcoating, parking lot striping, asphalt crack sealing, asphalt repair, parking lot traffic signs, car stops, and bollards. We serve most of North Georgia and are known for our customer service, craftsmanship, and affordable rates. Please request a free quote today by submitting our online form or calling us at 770-335-2983.
