Seal Coating

Sealcoating is a resistant coating applied to the top of asphalt as a protective layer. It is one of the asphalt services offered to maintain your asphalt’s durability and aesthetic appeal. It minimizes the amount of water and other liquids, like oil, that can penetrate the asphalt, weakening it over time. A sealcoat also protects your asphalt from the sun and heavy vehicle traffic, maintaining its durability and keeping it looking black and fresh.

After your asphalt is initially laid, the ideal time to perform the first asphalt sealcoating is in 6 months to a year. After that plan on every 24-36 months to keep your asphalt protected and maintained. If you apply sealcoat more often than this, the layered build-up can start to crack and flake off in an unsightly way. Less often and your asphalt will be exposed to the elements, resulting in damage.

No, sealcoating and crack sealing are not the same thing. Asphalt sealcoating is part of a regular maintenance program that should be followed to extend the durability and life of your asphalt. Conversely crack sealing can help extend the life of your asphalt as the first defense against further pavement deterioration. Crack sealing repairs small cracks and issues when they first appear and is repair rather than prevention.

As a preventative, protective layer, the purpose of sealcoating is to prolong the life of your asphalt, not to fix the damage that is already there. If you have damaged asphalt, like alligator cracks, low spots, uneven areas, or other more serious issues, sealcoating will not fix it. Despite the fact that some sealcoats claim they can ‘resurface’ your asphalt, resurfacing is a completely different process. Laying an asphalt sealcoat over damaged asphalt will make it look good cosmetically, but the underlying issues will not be repaired, and damage will show through again quickly.

When you work with a reputable paving company, they will do most of the prep work for you. The best way to help prepare is to block off the area so there are no vehicles parked on the asphalt or foot traffic wandering through. Before sealcoating takes place, repairs should be done. This includes any cracks that need to be filled, potholes, leveling, and more. Once the repairs are performed and set, the asphalt resurfacing can take place.

Your contractor will clean the asphalt, making sure it’s free from debris and water. Then, they’ll ensure it’s dry to allow the sealant to properly adhere. Depending on the condition of your asphalt, the sealcoat will be applied with a sprayer, brush, or a combination of the two methods. After sealcoating is complete, you should prohibit any vehicles or foot traffic for 24-36 hours, as this will ensure proper curing and drying time. Once the sealcoat is properly dried, business can resume as normal, and you’ll have fresh-looking asphalt with an increased lifespan and durability.