What Temperatures Are Too Cold for Asphalt Sealcoating Contractors to Work?
Asphalt sealcoating is the cornerstone of pavement maintenance. It shields your asphalt surfaces from weathering, wear, and countless other damaging factors, allowing them to stay strong and reliable for decades. Asphalt sealcoating contractors recommend getting service when conditions are reliably warm and dry in the spring and summer. But is it possible to perform asphalt sealing in the winter, and how cold is too cold for this vital maintenance service? Keep reading to find out.
How Does Weather Impact How Asphalt Sealcoating Contractors Work?
To understand the impact weather can have on Atlanta asphalt sealcoating, you must look at how sealer works to protect your pavement. Asphalt sealcoating forms a physical barrier that shields pavement from damaging factors. During your service appointment, your asphalt sealcoating contractor will apply thin coats of an asphalt emulsion sealer. These sealers can be 60 percent or more water by volume. Once applied, the product cures for 24 to 48 hours, during which the water slowly evaporates to allow the asphalt emulsion to bond to your pavement.
Because temperature and other weather conditions directly impact evaporation, they’re important factors to consider before asphalt sealing. Lower temperatures slow evaporation, and freezing conditions can halt the curing process entirely. The sealer can freeze in place and flake off. Even before it reaches freezing point, cold weather will prevent the sealer from bonding to the asphalt, resulting in inferior protection and poor durability.
What Are the Ideal Conditions for Asphalt Sealcoating in Atlanta?
The ideal conditions for sealcoating are warm and dry. For successful asphalt sealcoating in Atlanta, contractors prefer ambient and ground temperatures of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Asphalt sealcoating is possible above and below, but 70 degrees is the magic spot for quick and effective curing.
What Other Factors Will an Experienced Asphalt Sealcoating Contractor Consider?
It’s not just temperatures that affect sealcoating success. Humidity levels, sun exposure, precipitation and wind can also make or break the curing process. High humidity levels can slow evaporation as much as cool temperatures. A seasoned asphalt sealcoating contractor will not apply a sealer if relative humidity levels exceed 60 percent.
The same goes for any chance of precipitation. Rain and snow can wash away asphalt sealing products, resulting in spotty protection and a potentially sticky mess over your pavement.
Another thing to consider is that curing can take up to 48 hours. That means conditions must remain warm and dry during and after asphalt sealing. Temperatures can’t dip too low during the night, and there must be zero chance of high humidity or precipitation in the days that follow. Otherwise, you may not get the Atlanta asphalt sealcoating results you need.
Can Asphalt Sealcoating Contractors Provide Service During the Cooler Months?
The best conditions for sealcoating are dry, sunny days with an average temperature of 70 degrees. However, contractors can work in cooler weather to a limit. The bottom limit for asphalt sealcoating in Atlanta is around 55 degrees. The asphalt sealing products will struggle to cure and bond if temperatures drop any cooler than that.
An experienced asphalt sealcoating contractor will study the forecast before providing service. The temperatures should be at least 55 degrees and climbing, with no chance of falling any lower than that for at least two days after application.
Don’t trust just any contractor to handle your Atlanta asphalt sealcoating needs. MH Greeson Paving is an experienced asphalt maintenance team with four highly trained and qualified full-time teams. Our crew works hard to do things right, exceed your expectations and provide the five-star customer service you deserve. We raise the bar for asphalt maintenance in Atlanta and the surrounding areas in north Georgia, and we’re eager to add you to our growing list of happy clients. In addition to asphalt sealcoating, we’re available for paving, crack repair, striping, ADA compliance, traffic signs, bollards, concrete stops, parking lot maintenance and more.
Let us show you what we can do. Call MH Greeson Paving today at (770)335-2983, email tripp@mhgreesonpaving.com or use our online form to reach the team and get a free project quote.
