Asphalt Sealcoating: Explained by a Kissimmee Asphalt Paving Company

24 Dec Asphalt Sealcoating: Explained by a Kissimmee Asphalt Paving Company

When it comes to preventative maintenance, sealcoating is one of the most beneficial treatment options for your asphalt surface. When it’s performed at the right time, it can help extend the life of your asphalt pavement and save money on future, more serious repair procedures. The process itself is fairly straightforward. After the surface has been properly prepared, a layer of coal tar-based asphalt sealer is applied.

However, despite its many well-documented benefits, there are some limits to what a sealcoating can achieve. In this article, we’re going to go a bit more in-depth into the subject of sealcoating, and we will cover what you should and should not expect throughout the process.

What to Expect From Sealcoating

The material used in the sealcoating process may consist of coal tar emulsion, petroleum-based emulsion, or asphalt emulsion. These materials will protect an asphalt surface from a number of potential hazards, including de-icing chemicals, solar oxidation, and oil and gas spillages. They also serve to waterproof the asphalt, preventing water from seeping inward and damaging the pavement.

In general, sealcoating should be applied once during the first 12 to 18 months after the asphalt has been installed, and then every 2 to 3 years afterwards. If you follow a strict pavement maintenance plan, sealcoating can extend the life of a paving by up to 20 years. This makes it a very attractive option for many property owners because, by extending the life of the pavement, it can offset the cost of an asphalt installation over time. Plus, its smooth, black finish will enhance your curb appeal.

Sealcoating will help melt any ice that accumulates on an asphalt surface much faster due to its dark coloration, which attracts and retains higher levels of heat from the sun. A sealcoated surface is also much easier to sweep and clean, because the process of sealcoating creates a smooth finish on the asphalt.

The Limitations of Asphalt Sealcoating in Kissimmee

There are some limits to the benefits of sealcoating. To start, if your parking lot has been neglected for over a decade and is covered in signs of erosion and damage, sealcoating will not be able to provide any structural value—it will only be able to improve it cosmetically. For asphalt installations that are in relatively good condition, sealcoating will likely be able to add a few years to their lifespan.

The sealcoating procedure is also not designed to fix low spots or level the surface, and it does not resurface the asphalt, despite the fact that some of the products used in the process have been labeled as “resurfacers”. On rougher surfaces that have started to erode, and where the stone is now protruding through the surface, the products used in the sealcoating procedure will wear off rapidly once the surface sees heavy traffic. Finally, sealcoating is most effective when it is applied in two separate coats, instead of just one. Even if you use the same amount of product, one coat is much less effective than two, despite some claims to the contrary.

Looking for Asphalt Sealcoating Services in Kissimmee, Florida?

Sealcoating is a small investment in the longevity of your asphalt installation, and it should be an integral part of your routine maintenance package. If you have any questions about asphalt sealcoating in Kissimmee, All Asphalt Services is the company to call. We have been serving our clients in the Kissimmee area since 1986, and we’d be happy to work with you as well. To learn more about the benefits of asphalt sealcoating, or to request a free quote, contact us today!