We have all probably heard the term sealcoating. Here is a quick primer on sealcoating. Simply put, sealcoat is a mixture of liquids and small particle solids (like grains of sand) that provide a protective and restorative quality to asphalt pavements. It’s usually made up of varying amounts of dissolved asphalt, mineral fillers and water. It is typically applied as a spray or using a squeegee or broom. Sealcoat is specifically engineered using oils and materials that are commonly used in asphalt paving. When it’s applied to the surface of asphalt pavement, oils in the sealcoat seep down and help replenish some of the depleted asphalt oils and binder that has dried up over time. At the same time, the tiny asphalt, sand, and mineral particles fill in small cracks and gaps between the pieces of aggregate, making the pavement surface more even and level.Once the oils in asphalt are replenished, the cracks and gaps are filled in and then the asphalt pavement can look almost like new pavement. The sealcoat also provides a protective barrier between the asphalt pavement and harmful elements like UV rays from the sun, water, chemicals and the usual abrasion from traffic.

Asphalt pavement is made up of 95% aggregate-small gravel and sand particles. The remaining 5% is actually asphalt or bitumen. Bitumen is a black, oily sticky substance that binds the gravel and sand particles together. When pavement is new, the asphalt oils are fresh and pliable. This makes the pavement flexible. Over time, the oil will oxidize, dry up and cause the asphalt to be less flexible and more brittle. The reduced volume of asphalt binder will cause the tiny gravel particles on the surface to be exposed. They will begin to loosen from the pavement. This is called raveling. When sealcoat is applied, the asphalt oils are reintroduced and restores some of the pavement’s original flexibility. Sealcoat will protect the exposed aggregate and prevent raveling.

Sealcoat is one of the most cost effective maintenance projects you can do to preserve your asphalt pavement. New asphalt paving costs an average of $2-6 per square foot, while sealcoating costs a tiny fraction of this. When asphalt pavement is regularly maintained with sealcoat, it lasts about 20-25 years.

Regular application to paving can save property owners thousands of dollars. Typically, we recommend a fresh sealcoating every 2 to 3 years. This depends upon weather and normal wear and tear conditions.

If you’re looking for a quality asphalt sealcoating service, look no further than Provantage Paving. We have years of experience in the industry, and we know how to get the job done right. We’ll work with you to maintain and schedule regular maintenance for your paving project so that it lasts for years to come. If you are considering other options, we also do concrete driveways, access and walkways.

You should wait at least 12 hours for the sealcoating to dry and cure. However, for best results, we recommend waiting as long as 48–72 hours. In rare instances when it rains the day of or after your sealcoating project, avoid driving on your driveway until the rain has stopped. Water can interfere with the curing process and cause the sealant to come off.

Traffic, plowing and sanding all are factors in the wearing off your sealer. Scuffing can also occur and this is normal, even with additives, and usually occurs in the first month. Scuffing is usually worse on a hot day particularly when the temperatures go above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to minimize scuffing is to try and not turn your car sharply when the lot is first opened up.

The common mistake most people make is calling Provantage Systems after their pavement has cracked and in need of patching. To get the maximum life out of your pavement, a program should start within the first year. Your asphalt should be protected from its enemies, sun, oil and gas spills and water intrusion, as soon as possible. You wouldn’t wait years before painting the wood on your house-this same logic applies to your asphalt and sealcoating. Application of sealcoating in winter temperatures is not optimum. Call Provantage Paving for more details on when to sealcoat.

No, pavement sealer does not bond well to concrete or cement surfaces. It will look good at first but it will peel and flake off becoming a constant maintenance problem and eye sore.

If you’re looking for a quality asphalt sealcoating service, look no further than Provantage Paving. We have years of experience in the industry, and we know how to get the job done right. We’ll work with you to maintain and schedule regular maintenance for your paving project so that it lasts for years to come. If you are considering other options, we also do concrete driveways, access and walkways.

We know what we’re doing and we do it well. If you want quality sealcoating service at a fair price, contact us today to get started. You can reach us by filling out our free estimate form below. No sales calls. No pressure. No hassles. Just a risk-free estimate. We look forward to hearing from you today!

Seal coating is a 7 day a week operation, maybe a Saturday or Sunday would work for your particular situation. Also, we can seal the lot in sections so as not to disrupt traffic too much. There are some more expensive sealers designed to cure more quickly so you can open your lot up sooner. Call Provantage Systems and we can discuss other options that keep your business running smoothly and lessen the impact on your customers/employees.

Typically, next day or 48 hours, when the sealcoating has cured. There are curing additives that can be added to the sealer that allows the striping to be done on the same day. The lines will definitely look better if you can wait 24 hours or even a week.

Turn your sprinkler system off the day before the sealing is to be done. Turn it back on the day after the sealer has been done. Reschedule trash pickup, landscapers etc. Inform postman and newspaper delivery people. Newspaper people are notorious for driving right through the cones. Notify people who use the lot that it will be closed on that day and they will not be able to walk or park on the pavement. All vehicles, dumpsters, pallets etc. must be off of the paved area. To be safe put them at least 100 feet from the asphalt. While the cleaning process is going on there is a lot of dust flying through the air and an occasional gust of wind can blow the sealer quite a distance while it’s being sprayed.
Provantage may have other recommendations specific to your project.
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