What Are The Best Conditions For Asphalt Sealcoating Contractors In Colder Weather

What Are The Best Conditions For Asphalt Sealcoating Contractors In Colder Weather

Las Vegas is fortunate not to have to deal with intense weather conditions during the winter like other parts of the country. However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get cold. During the winter, temperatures easily fall to the mid-30s in the evenings, with occasional drops below freezing throughout the season. Because weather conditions directly affect asphalt pavement maintenance services, wintertime sealcoating in Las Vegas can be challenging. Fortunately, asphalt sealcoating contractors can still provide service during the colder months, but they must be mindful of the weather forecast to ensure conditions are just right for optimal seal coat results.

What Temperatures Are Too Cold for Asphalt Sealcoating Contractors to Work?

Sealcoating companies in Vegas typically recommend getting service in the spring or fall when temperatures are warm. Asphalt seal coat products usually perform best when ground and ambient air temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. But what if you need service in the winter?

Luckily, it’s still possible to seal coat asphalt in the winter, but there is a limit. The products that sealcoating companies in Vegas use vary in formulation. Therefore, manufacturer recommendations can be different from one product to the next. That said, most asphalt emulsion sealers require air and ground temperatures to be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything below that, asphalt sealcoating companies will encounter many problems.

Another important thing to remember is that sealcoating needs time to cure. Therefore, the 50-degree threshold stands for both application days and the lengthy 24-48 hours required for curing. Sealcoating contractors must pay close attention to the weather forecast in the winter, choosing a window of time where conditions are consistently above 50 degrees to avoid complications.

Can Precipitation and Other Inclement Weather Conditions Affect How Asphalt Sealcoating Contractors Work?

It’s not just cold temperatures that could negatively impact sealcoating in Las Vegas. Below that 50-degree mark, sealers will not cure properly and fail to form a tight bond with your asphalt pavement. If temperatures drop to freezing levels, the product may freeze instead of cure, causing the product to peel and flake off.

Precipitation can also interfere with the curing process. Rain and high humidity levels will wash sealcoating products away, creating a huge mess while providing zero protection to your asphalt. Asphalt sealcoating companies should ensure no chance of rain or relative humidity levels above 50 percent when scheduling service appointments.

Why Are Seal Coat Products So Affected By Weather?

It all comes down to how sealcoating products cure. While formulations vary, most asphalt emulsion sealers can contain anywhere between 30 and 60 percent water by volume. Once applied by sealcoating contractors, the water content in the sealer slowly evaporates, allowing the remaining asphalt to bond to your pavement.

Evaporation is a slow and steady process that is most efficient when conditions are warm and dry. It still happens in colder weather, but the process becomes significantly slower. If temperatures are cool enough, evaporation may halt entirely as the product freezes.

Sealcoating contractors understand the complexities of the products they use and work to schedule service appointments on days when curing can succeed without issue.

Affordable Striping & Sealing is among the most trusted asphalt sealcoating companies in Las Vegas, serving Sin City and the surrounding areas for nearly 20 years. Our mission is to provide the best service we can for our clients. We work closely with you from start to finish, developing solutions that meet your unique needs. Whether sealcoating in Las Vegas or line striping to keep your parking lot looking its best, we’re ready to handle all your needs. You can turn to us for sealcoating, crack repairs, ongoing parking lot maintenance, layout design, striping, signage and more.

Let us show you why we’re one of the best sealcoating companies in Vegas! Call Affordable Striping & Sealing at (702)222-9009, email vegas@affordablestriping.com or use our online contact form to get in touch today and receive your free project quote.