What Determines a Sealcoating Schedule

Sealcoating your asphalt pavement is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your investment. Sealcoating involves spreading a protective coating over the top of the asphalt, replacing oils that not only keep it looking new but also prevent water from seeping into the pavement. When it comes to determining how often you’ll need to have your surface seal coated, a variety of factors need to be considered. What follows is a list of those:

• How the surface is used — Generally speaking, if your pavement endures a lot of heavy vehicle traffic and/or is used day in and day out, you’ll need seal coating much more often than a residential driveway, for example.
• The climate you live in — If your pavement is exposed to a lot of suns and/or rain, seal coating on a regular basis will help to protect the surface from the elements. The same is true for asphalt surfaces in cold climates, where freeze/thaw cycles can damage the pavement.
• The age of the pavement – If your asphalt surface is several years old, your paving contractor may recommend more frequent seal coating. This is because the top layer of asphalt bitumen can easily wear away over time, turning the surface from black to gray.
• The pavement is damaged – If you notice visible damage to your asphalt surface – damage that may include loose gravel, potholes, or cracks, for example – your paving contractor may recommend that repairs be made first, then followed up by a fresh layer of sealcoat.

Types of Sealcoating

There are a variety of seal coating methods that may be used for asphalt surfaces. A qualified paving contractor can decide which of these is best for your pavement. Types of seal coating include:

• Slurry sealcoating – Designed for surfaces that have only slight damage, a slurry sealcoat is a mixture of asphalt emulsion, water and fine sand.
• Chip sealcoating – If your pavement needs substantial repair and has not been sealcoated in some time, your contractor may recommend chip sealcoating, which involves applying layers of aggregate rock and asphalt sealer.
• Fog sealcoating – Just as the name implies, fog sealcoating involves applying a fine mist of emulsified asphalt bitumen to the top of the asphalt surface. This method is commonly used for large parking lots and roadways because it’s a relatively quick way to sealcoat a surface.

For more information about developing a sealcoating schedule for your pavement, contact a local, reputable paving contractor.