What Are the Differences Between Asphalt Sealcoating and Slurry Coat?

Asphalt makes an ideal paving material for many types of pavements; it has a reasonable price, fast installation time, and aesthetic appearance. However, asphalt pavements need a little routine maintenance to keep them attractive and healthy. Most people have heard that they should have a sealcoating contractor seal their new asphalt within its first year and every two years or so thereafter. In recent years, though, an increasing number of property managers and owners have begun to inquire about slurry sealing. Although asphalt sealcoating and slurry sealing share some similarities, the differences between them are far more numerous.

What Is Asphalt Sealcoating?

Asphalt sealcoating in Las Vegas is the application of a liquid sealant to a clean, properly prepared pavement. After curing, the protective sealcoating shell blocks UV rays and several other sources of potential damage. The protection against UV rays is an important reason that local asphalt sealcoat companies emphasize the importance of sealcoating in Las Vegas. Sealcoating is ideal for any type of asphalt pavement, especially parking lots.

What Is a Slurry Coat?

The ingredients in a slurry coat and a sealcoat are similar. However, slurry coats are thicker and denser, and they contain larger aggregates. Most slurry seal contractors do not recommend slurry sealing pavements with low-speed vehicles that frequently stop, turn, or accelerate. Thus, slurry sealing is usually reserved for high-speed, relatively straight stretches of highways and streets, especially if the thoroughfare supports heavyweight vehicles.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Hiring an Asphalt Sealcoating Contractor Instead of a Slurry Seal Contractor?

It is important to remember that an asphalt sealcoat company may also offer slurry sealing, and some slurry seal contractors also perform sealcoating. Whichever method you are considering, it is important to hire an experienced, trustworthy contractor who can advise you on the pros and cons of each procedure.

1. Asphalt sealcoating in Las Vegas is highly cost-effective. Typically, a Las Vegas asphalt sealcoating contractor charges less than half of what you would pay for a slurry coat on the same pavement.
2. It is often possible for a slurry seal to repair minor cracks. Sealcoating does not repair cracks, but it can hide hairline cracks. Both sealcoating and slurry seals can make it appear that serious damage has been repaired, neither of them are actually repair products.
3. Sealcoating in Las Vegas typically lasts between two and three years. A slurry seal can sometimes last as long as 10 years.
4. After a slurry seal contractor finishes, you will need to hire a sweeping service to remove loose rocks. You will not need this additional expense if you hire a Las Vegas asphalt sealcoat contractor.
5. Since slurry coats can break into chunks as they wear down over time, you will need to continue having your pavement swept. Sealcoating tends to turn to small dust particles as it wears away, and these minute particles are normally blown or washed away quickly.
6. Once you apply a slurry seal, you cannot go back to sealcoating your asphalt pavement. Sealcoating does not restrict your future choices for asphalt maintenance.

If you have more questions about maintaining your asphalt pavement, contact the experts at Affordable Striping & Sealing. In addition to asphalt sealcoating, we offer parking lot striping, traffic sign installation, road markings, parking lot design, asphalt crack repairs, parking lot layout services, and public works services. We are known as an honest, professional company that excels in customer service and provides exceptional work. We serve clients throughout the Las Vegas Valley, so contact us to request a free job quote. You can submit our online form, call 702-222-9009, or email Vegas@AffordableStriping.com.