April is here, and in the asphalt pavement industry, this means sealcoating season is officially underway! Because all pavement, regardless of location, is subjected to the effects of water, weather, and everyday use, sealcoating is a necessary preventative maintenance measure to ensure the integrity of your parking lot and extend the lifespan of your pavement. While sealcoating is beneficial for all asphalt pavement, there are specific times of the year when this process can take place. Our team at Encore Pavement, an expert asphalt paving company in Wichita, Kansas, explains the importance of sealcoating season below!
What Is Sealcoating?
Sealcoating is the process of protecting your asphalt from oxidation, moisture, fading, surface raveling, and the effects of oil and gas leaks, and is one of the best ways to maintain the integrity of your parking lot. Once a sealcoat mixture (typically composed of asphalt cement mixed with filler, emulsifying agents, and water) is applied to the pavement in thin coats, it begins to cure and adhere to the asphalt below. Because curing can only occur when surface and outside temperatures remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 24 hours, asphalt paving companies are limited to which seasons they can perform sealcoating services.
When Is Sealcoating Season?
Due to the strict environmental conditions affecting sealcoat applications, the official “sealcoating season” typically takes place from April until November each year. Once November arrives, nighttime temperatures begin to consistently fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, becoming too cold for your sealcoat to cure properly. While it is recommended that the overall temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit to begin sealcoating, the ideal weather for this process ranges from 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Take this into consideration when scheduling your next sealcoating services, and contact an experienced asphalt paving company to discuss the specifics of your project. This will help ensure that your sealcoating is the most effective!
Benefits of Sealcoating
When applied to asphalt, sealcoating is a preventative maintenance measure that helps protect the paved surface from water, gas, salt, ultraviolet rays, and other substances that damage asphalt. Because sealcoating acts as a barrier and prevents moisture from penetrating the structural base by filling small cracks, it helps to extend the lifespan of your asphalt and offers a variety of additional benefits, including:
- Securing a nearly 300 percent increase in asphalt life.
- Protecting against cracking, fading, and erosion.
- Reducing long-term maintenance costs.
- Projecting a positive appearance of your business or facility.
- Maintaining the value of your pavement.
- Helping preserve the original oil content and flexibility in your asphalt.
Contract With an Experienced Paving Company
If your parking lot is in need of sealcoating services, it is best to research and partner with an experienced paving company in your area. At Encore Pavement, a trusted asphalt paving company in Wichita, our team specializes in the application of asphalt sealcoating to protect against pavement failure. With more than 50 different sealcoat products and blends available in the Midwest, we have been testing these products for more than a decade to ensure we continue to offer the number one product on the market at all times. Additionally, we have many quality control procedures in place to ensure that each and every project receives the absolute best and consistent applications!
