Seven Facts About Asphalt Sealcoating in Asheville NC
Seven Facts About Asphalt Sealcoating in Asheville NCAsk any pavement professional, and they’ll tell you that asphalt sealcoating in Asheville NC is key to keeping your blacktop surfaces beautiful and reliable for decades to come. But how much do you really know about this form of preventative maintenance? For many property owners and managers, asphalt sealcoating is just a service they schedule because experts tell them to. To help you truly understand how vital sealcoating is and maximize its benefits, here are seven facts you might not have known.
What Is Asphalt Sealcoating in Asheville NC?
Sealcoating in Asheville NC is a preventive measure that helps protect your asphalt from damaging elements. It’s not a fix-all solution for damage. Some incorrectly view asphalt sealing as a service that can address wide cracks, potholes, surface defects, and more. However, that’s not the case.
Properly applied asphalt sealer significantly reduces the risk of damage, but it won’t do anything to correct existing damage. It’s all about prevention. Therefore, you should hire experts to perform repairs before proceeding with sealcoating. As part of a larger care plan, asphalt sealcoating should be among the last services you get.
What Does Sealcoating in Asheville NC Protect Against?
Asphalt is tough, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to damage. Years of exposure to the elements can and will take a toll. Asheville asphalt sealcoating companies help prevent that.
Sealcoating protects pavement from rain, harsh UV rays, chemical corrosion, leaking vehicle fluids, and more. Without sealing, it won’t take long for asphalt to oxidize. When that happens, the binders in the asphalt break down. In turn, the material becomes brittle and more susceptible to cracking. Water can then penetrate the surface, causing foundation damage and creating potholes. Before you know it, you’ll have to deal with subsidence and potential structural failure.
Sealcoating companies in Asheville reduce those risks by applying thin coats of an asphalt emulsion sealer. It forms a protective barrier to keep water out, maintain the asphalt’s pliability, and ultimately improve its long-term reliability.
When Do Asheville Asphalt Sealcoating Companies Prefer to Provide Service?
Sealcoating in Asheville NC is not a service you can get year-round. Asphalt sealer will only cure in warm, dry conditions. Most manufacturers require air and ground temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, steady wind speeds of around 3-5 MPH, low humidity, and no chance of precipitation.
Winters in Asheville are not ideal for successful asphalt sealcoating. Therefore, Asheville asphalt sealcoating companies typically wait until the spring and summer seasons to schedule service appointments. The best will always monitor the weather forecast, avoiding overly cloudy days and periods of rain to ensure top-quality results.
How Do Sealcoating Companies in Asheville Prepare for Application?
Applying asphalt sealer looks easy, but it requires more prep than most realize. First, contractors need to prepare the sealer itself. That typically involves adding a specific amount of water and sand, which improves durability and slip resistance.
Then, Asheville asphalt sealcoating companies must prepare the surface. Sealers only bond to clean, dry pavement, so teams must spend time sweeping away debris and removing any overgrown vegetation. If necessary, they’ll also wash the pavement and apply pretreatment solutions to stains to maximize bonding strength. It’s only after all that preparation that teams can begin applying the sealer.
Is There a Right and Wrong Way to Apply Asphalt Sealer?
Sealcoating companies in Asheville can use squeegees or sprayers to apply sealer. However, they must do so slowly and steadily. The correct way to perform sealcoating in Asheville NC is to apply multiple thin coats. The number of coats your pavement needs will vary based on exposure levels and traffic volume. Contractors usually apply at least two, but high-traffic areas may need more.
Thin coats are key to successful asphalt sealcoating. Applying the product too thickly will lead to curing issues, resulting in a lackluster finish and inferior protection.
Does Asphalt Sealcoating in Asheville NC Need Time to Cure?
Asphalt sealcoating in Asheville NC needs up to 48 hours to cure in ideal conditions. Sealers cure via evaporation. The water content slowly evaporates, leaving the protective asphalt behind.
Conditions must be stable throughout the entire curing period, and pedestrian and vehicle traffic must remain off the surface. Using your pavement too quickly after asphalt sealcoating will interrupt the curing process and ruin the finish.
How Often Do Blacktop Surfaces Need Asphalt Sealcoating?
Experts recommend getting sealcoating in Asheville NC every few years. Commercial surfaces usually need service every two or three years. Meanwhile, residential driveways can go three to five years between applications.
It all depends on factors like exposure levels, traffic volume, recent weather conditions, and the age/condition of your pavement. The best approach is to schedule regular inspections. Asheville asphalt sealcoating companies can look for early signs of trouble and monitor the rate of wear. They’ll help you time your next service appointment at just the right time.
HLC Asphalt & Sealcoating is the most trusted contractor for sealcoating in Asheville NC and the surrounding areas. We’re also available for new asphalt paving, repairs, crack filling, parking lot maintenance, signage installation, ADA compliance, and more. At HLC Asphalt & Sealcoating, we’re committed to quality, working hard to produce the premium results you deserve while delivering a five-star customer experience.
Get your free project quote today by calling HLC Asphalt & Sealcoating at (864) 569-1241, emailing hlclinestriping@gmail.com, or submitting your information through our online form for a callback.