What Should You Know About Seal Coating?

The application of a protective layer on asphalt pavements (such as driveways or parking lots) is known as seal coating. Seal coating acts as a barrier against moisture, oils, UV rays, and other damaging elements. The process increases the life of the pavement as well as enhances its aesthetic value. Here are six more facts about seal coating that you should be aware of…

The Asphalt Surface Must Be Nice and Clean

The most important aspect of the asphalt seal coating process is surface cleaning. The sealer will not adhere to the pavement unless the surface is squeaky clean.

The Seal Coating Should Not Extend Past the Pavement

When applied correctly, an asphalt sealer should have little to no effect on adjacent surfaces such as concrete curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. More than half an inch of material on adjacent surfaces indicates the trade-off between speed and quality.

Seal Coating Spray vs. Brush

Petrobond sand—or another barrier product—should be sprayed (rather than brushed) on engine leaks in parking spaces. This forms a barrier between the sealant and automotive fuel leaks.

Observe the Weather

When the temperature is below 50°F, the chance of downpours is at or over 40%, or there are high winds, you should avoid coating your asphalt surfaces. If you use seal coating when the weather is not cooperative, you will get less-than-satisfactory results.

Understand the Seal Coating Process

Seal coating is typically applied in two spray coats and a squeegee edge coat.

• Step one is to coat the asphalt surfaces with squeegee edges 18” to 24” wide to ensure a crisp edge between the asphalt surfaces and the concrete.
• The second step involves spraying a modest “tack” coating to ensure that the new sealant adheres to the pavement.
• The final step is to spray a thicker second layer to create about a 1/8” protective layer, sealing cracks up to 1/8” wide, minimizing water damage to the sub-base, and protecting the asphalt binders from damaging elements like UV rays and water.

Close the work area for at least eighteen hours to allow the contents in the sealer to evaporate, the outer layer to harden, and the protective coating to cure. If the temperature is below 60°F, or the weather is overcast or humid, eighteen hours may not be enough.

Understand the Outcomes

After applying sealer to older asphalt, especially after a few days of heavy vehicle traffic, you might start noticing a few white spots. This is due to “polished” aggregate, which means that the rough, sharp edges of the aggregates in the asphalt have been worn smooth over time. A sealer does not adhere to a polished aggregate. However, the asphalt is still protected because the sealer has penetrated the gaps and cracks, forming a shield against the sun and rain. The sealer is working as it should—you just do not have a solid black surface anymore.

The coating is a low-cost, uncomplicated, and necessary aspect of asphalt pavement upkeep that can help extend the life of your commercial parking space while also saving you money in the long term. We hope you found these six seal coating facts helpful.

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Commonwealth Paving, 136 Outerloop, Louisville, Kentucky 40214
Phone: 502-459-7283, Fax: 502-456-2678

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