Sealcoating

 

What is Asphalt Pavement Sealer?

Sealer consists of 100% refined coal tar pitch with inert fillers, water, emulsifying agents, or additives. A fine aggregate (sand) is also added to the mix.

What Does Asphalt Sealcoating Do?

People think sealcoating is only about the black appearance, either as a cap to a good pavement, or a “cover-up” on a damaged one. Industry professionals know that while sealcoating can help pavement remain sound and smooth, it can’t provide structural help to a damaged pavement; sealcoating is not a cure-all for bad surfaces.

If applied properly at the right time, sealcoating offers these advantages.

* Beautification

Fresh sealant brings a dark black color to the pavement, making it look and wear like new. A freshly sealed pavement retains a clean, rich appearance that presents a positive image of the company, facility, or residential complex.

* Slows Oxidation and Water Penetration

Exposure to oxygen hardens asphalt binders and results in a brittle pavement surface that soon cracks. These cracks permit water to penetrate into the sub-base, weakening it, and reducing pavement strength. This eventually leads to the formation of potholes. Sealcoat fills surface voids, reducing exposure to oxygen and water, and prolongs pavement life.

* Resists Gas and Oil Spills

Gasoline and oil drippings can soften asphalt pavements. Because coal tars aren’t soluble in gas or oil, coal tar sealers prevent damage caused by petroleum based substances.

* Resists Ultraviolet Rays

Ultraviolet rays from the sun break the links between carbon bonds within the asphalt, but these rays don’t damage the aggregate within asphalt pavement. Although the sealcoat does not prevent any damage that has already occurred, it does prevent ultraviolet rays from further damaging the asphalt.

*Cost Effective in the Long Run

The price of asphalt will always be affected by crude oil prices, which fluctuate when supplies vary. No matter what the current price may be it is still less expensive to sealcoat pavement every few years than it is to overlay or replace the pavement.
Sealcoating preserves asphalt for pennies for square foot.

How is Sealer Applied?

Once the surface has been prepared, one of several application techniques can be used.

Broom/Squeegee Application

Material is poured onto the pavement and spread in both directions with squeegees to distribute the material and fill in all voids. Then it is finished using a soft-haired broom for an even coat. This method is used most often for townhome/condo driveways and small parking lots.

Spray Application

First, all areas along curbs, buildings and sidewalks are coated using a soft-haired broom to approximately 3’ away from the structure or edges. Material is sprayed evenly onto the pavement. This method is used most often for large parking lots. This can be used as part of a one or two coat operation.

Machine Squeegee/ Spray Application

First, all areas along curbs, buildings and sidewalks are coated using a soft-haired broom to approximately 3’ out from the structure or edges. Material is sprayed evenly onto the pavement. After the first coat has dried, a second coat is applied using a 12’ squeegee mounted on the back of a machine. This method is used most often for large parking lots with a high volume of traffic. This is a two coat operation.