Why Summer Is the Best Time for Asphalt Sealcoating
There is no question that periodic asphalt sealcoating can lengthen the life of a pavement, improve its appearance, and help prevent costly repairs. However, many people are perplexed when they hear that summer is the best time for sealcoating Las Vegas pavements. Isn’t it too hot in the summer? Wouldn’t it be better to wait for cooler weather to arrive in the winter? In reality, there are valid reasons for applying sealants in the summer.
Why Is Asphalt Sealcoating Considered an Essential Preventive Maintenance Procedure?
Sealcoating is a remarkably effective way to prevent damage from the sun, automotive fluids, chemicals, and moisture. Without sealcoating, UV rays will make your pavement dry and brittle, automotive fluids will make it soft and crumbly, corrosive chemicals can eat away at it, and water penetration can weaken and destabilize its foundation. In a relatively short time, an unprotected pavement can develop massive cracks, alligatored patches, potholes, and other damage that can reduce the life of your pavement by 50% or more. By creating a protective shell over your pavement, sealcoating shields it from its enemies. As a bonus, a quality seal coat also enhances the pavement’s appearance, restoring its dark color and giving it a smoother look. As sealcoating is an economical procedure, it is a good idea to make it part of your routine asphalt maintenance plan. The asphalt contractor who installed your pavement can tell you when to have the initial application of sealant applied, but it will be sometime within the pavement’s first year. After that, you should follow the schedule recommended by your asphalt maintenance company. Normally, pavements in the Vegas area need sealcoating about every two years, but your schedule could be different.
Why Should Asphalt Sealcoating Be Performed in the Summer?
If a parking lot maintenance company is answering its phones, some people assume that it is possible to sealcoat parking lot pavements or streets. However, seal coat products are known for their sensitivity to environmental conditions. They cannot be applied if the temperature of the air or ground is below 50 degrees or so, and the temperature must remain above that point for a minimum of 24 hours. Furthermore, the sealant must be able to evaporate its water content in an expeditious manner if it is to cure properly. Prolonged curing times are an inconvenience to commercial enterprises, but they can also result in a failure of the sealant to ever cure completely. This will result in a short-lived job that can also leave your pavement a mess; uncured sealant can be tracked by pedestrians and vehicles into buildings or onto other pavements. On a hot day, water evaporates faster than on a cool day. In the summer, hotter temperatures speed up evaporation, and the evaporation is also accelerated by exposure to sunlight.
Are There Other Reasons Why Contractors Prefer Sealcoating Parking Lots in the Summer?
When contractors sealcoat parking lot pavements, they usually need to apply a second coat of sealant after the first coat dries. If they also offer a parking lot striping service, the final coat of sealant must be dry before they can continue with the pavement markings and striping. With more hours of sunlight during the summer, all three steps can often be completed in one day. This also has the potential to save you money. Contractors factor in the cost of moving their crews and equipment from their office to the site, and the more times they must move their personnel and tools, the more they need to charge.
For Exceptional Results at Reasonable Rates, Trust Affordable Striping & Sealing
We are a highly regarded parking lot maintenance company serving clients throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Paradise, and North Las Vegas. In addition to sealcoating, we offer asphalt crack repairs, parking lot design, bumper blocks, parking lot striping, traffic signs, parking lot layout, road marking, stencils, and pavement marking. We are known for providing exceptional results and exemplary service in a professional, safety-conscious manner at economical rates. For a free quote, submit your request by completing the online form, or give us a call at 702-222-9009.
