Wednesday, February 4, 2015

When Is The Right Time For A Seal Coating Procedure To Be Conducted?

By Ines Flores


After installing your asphalt pavements, you need to inspect them regularly to detect any defects that may be developing. Asphalt is a common material used when constructing pavements. Like many other paving materials, asphalt undergoes degradation with time. In order to preserve its quality, you should coat it with a sealant material. A seal coating procedure is intended to prolong the lifespan of your pavement.

When properly applied, sealcoats will lengthen the life of pavements. A sealcoat will also recondition the surfaces making them look like new. Sealcoats are not repair procedures but used as preservation material to protect pavements. If there are existing damages such as crack and potholes, they need to be repaired prior to sealcoat application.

As the binders weaken, small stones are released as the surface wears out. UV light will also cause the color of asphalt to change as it fades out. The once rich black color will turn to grey hue. Small hairline cracks will develop and if you do not coat the surface, more pronounced cracking will occur. Hairline cracks can be sealed using a sealant material since they are not so threatening to the structural integrity of asphalt pavement.

A sealcoat will enhance the flexibility of asphalt. In order for asphalt to withstand the weight of vehicles, it needs to expand and contract. Besides, the expansion and contraction caused by changes in weather will be counteracted by the flexibility of pavements. If it is rigid, it will not allow for such expansion and contractions. One way to improve flexibility is by applying sealcoats.

As UV light bakes pavements, it causes cracks. The first signs that will show that you need a sealcoat applied on your pavements is change in color. Due to the effects of sunlight, the pavements will turn from the rich black color to a grayish appearance. If you notice your pavements have changed in color, consider applying a sealant.

Another sign you should look for is development of small fine hairline cracks. These are usually not easily visible and do not cause a lot of trouble. But if they are not restored, they will pave way for bigger cracks. The small fine hairlines cracking can be corrected using a sealant. But sealcoats are not meant to serve as repair materials. Sealcoats are designed to preserve pavements.

Sealcoats should only be applied when asphalt has dried and cured properly. In the first driveway or parking lot installation, it will take time for the asphalt to cure. You may have to wait for about one year before you apply a sealant. After the first sealcoating, you will also need to apply other coats with time.

The blacktop will crumble down and result to a pothole or another defect. Moreover, gasoline products like the oils or transmission fluids will degrade your asphalt pavements. When you apply a sealant material, it will provide a protective layer, which prevents these substances from taking their toll on pavements. Sealcoats need to be applied at the right time. Immediately you have installed a pavement, you will not need to sealcoat it. You have to wait until the oils dry out.




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