Many people consider autumn their favorite season. The muggy, unhealthy hot days of summer begin to grow cooler, drugs leaves take on vibrant colors and the sun sets a little earlier each day as the season progresses. However, help for those who still need to have their asphalt pavement sealed before the onset of cold weather, the arrival of fall can trigger anxieties over whether the job can still be done successfully.
Sealcoating in the fall can present unique challenges, but these are easily addressed if the contractor is experienced and diligent. A quality sealcoating job may require additional time to complete and some slight modifications to the routine.
• Most sealants are water-based, and the water must be released for the sealant to dry and cure. Lower temperatures and higher humidity levels impede this release, so it may be necessary to increase drying time by as much as half a day. It may also be necessary to reduce the amount of water in the mix by 5 percent or so.
• Jobs should be timed to end soon after mid-day. Sealants cure best when exposed to sunlight for three to four hours after application.
• Sealants need at least eight hours of above-freezing temperatures, so it is important to make sure that the overnight temperatures will not drop below freezing.
• Thick coats of sealant cannot dry properly, so if multiple coats are required, thin layers must be applied. Since each layer needs to be completed several hours before sunset, this means that if the job requires more than one coat, the job cannot be completed in a single day.
• If autumn leaves fall into wet sealant, it may be necessary to touch up the marks they leave behind. If they fall onto dry sealant, they should still be removed before another coat is applied. It is a good idea to keep leaves off of freshly sealed pavement for the first few days after the job is completed.
MH Greeson Paving provides superior asphalt services to customers throughout most of North Georgia, including Marietta and the Atlanta area. Our crews are experts in sealcoating, parking lot striping, asphalt repairs and asphalt paving. We specialize in all areas of parking lot maintenance, offering quality work and competitive prices. Call us at 770-335-2983 for a free quote, or use our online form to send us your information.
MH Greeson Paving – the premier paving contractor in Marietta, Atlanta, and the surrounding areas!
