Sealcoat Maintenance
Enhancing appearance should not be the only reason to have a seal coat applied to your asphalt parking lot. In case you did not know, there are many benefits that come along with taking such a pocket reaping decision. Improving durability and wearability should be the primary reasons for coat sealing, a part of the comprehensive maintenance of pavements and parking lots.
Article Sponsored by: Houston Sealcoat
What do you expect when sealcoating your parking lot? Of Course, you expect a breath taking well-stripped surface at the end but here are five things you should expect as part of this process.
Cleaning of the asphalt surface
This is the first process of sealcoating any surface. The process involves removing rocks and soil particles that may be on the top of the surface or cracks. Cracks are formed when the asphalt is exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as rain, the wind, and human activities. To clean standing water and small particles of rocks on the cracks, walk-behind power blower machine is used. This speeds up the process and ensures the surface is perfectly clean for the next stage.
Filling and repairing existing cracks
To stop the cracks from eventually becoming a pothole, filling them and repairing any damaged or weakened part of the asphalt should not be a choice as it increases its life span. Also, it ensures that water and other element are not able to penetrate. Water among other elements such as UV rays can cause the asphalt to degrade and deteriorate at a more rapid rate thus shortening the useful life of the surface.
Mostly, asphalt joint sealers are used although other crack sealants can be used to fill the cracks.
Sealcoating the surface
The sealer is applied in two thin coat as opposed to one thick coat. The first layer is supposed to be thicker than the second as it slightly fills defects and minor depressions and cracks through forcing the sealer into them. The asphalt seal contains a mixture of sand and latex that is specifically tailored to improve durability and wearability. Besides, it slows oxidations which are caused by the ultra-violet rays of the sun.
Allowing the asphalt sealer to dry
The sealer takes approximately 24 hours to dry. Weather condition such as humid atmosphere may also dictate the time a surface can take to dry. It’s advisable not to walk or drive on a newly sealed surface until it is completely dry.
Striping the surface
This is done after the sealer is completely dry and it is performed using the OT traffic paints which include yellow, white or blue. The whole Striping is done according to the design and layout needed.
Adding sealcoat is such a prudent step when it comes to improving the durability and wearability of any given asphalt surface. And since is a labor intensive process and requires a lot of machinery, it is mandatory for one to hire a contractor. Equipped with the information in this post, you will be able to make an informed decision when it comes to hiring a contractor and inspecting the work.
Be sure to visit our sponsor http://www.sealcoathouston.com/ or contact us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.
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