Why Do Sealcoating Contractors Add Aggregates In Their Mix?

In Las Vegas, asphalt pavement is constantly exposed to high levels of sunlight that can dry out the binder and cause cracks. Adding a sealcoat protects the pavement, which helps to increase its life span. Similar to how other asphalt services work, the success of a road or parking lot maintenance project depends on how well sealcoating contractors do their job. The use of aggregates in sealcoating applications is standard procedure, but contractors can vary regarding their ability to use them correctly.

What Is the Importance of Adding Aggregates?

One of the reasons why asphalt sealcoating fails is because a contractor chooses to skip adding aggregates, or they create the wrong mix. Aggregates serve several important purposes in a sealcoating mix, which includes adding strength to the sealant once it’s cured that guards against wear and tear. Adding aggregates also increases traction, helps to absorb some of the sealant binder and contributes to ensuring the proper drying time occurs.

What Types of Aggregates Do Sealcoating Contractors Use?

The two main types of aggregates that sealcoating companies use are boiler slag and silica. Boiler slag tends to cost more, but the cleaned and crushed by-product of coal-fired plants tends to add a lovely dark black color to pavement along with a slight sparkle when the sun hits it just right. Silica is sand that is used in asphalt emulsion sealcoating when fine, uniform aggregates are preferred.

What Qualities Do Sealcoating Contractors Look for In Aggregates?

Asphalt companies can’t just throw any old sand into a sealcoating mix. Reputable contractors select aggregates based upon criteria such as their purity and size. Aggregate gradation, or sizing, gets complicated. The simplest explanation for how a contractor chooses an aggregate is that they want the size of the particles to be as close as possible to the expected thickness of the cured sealant, which creates the smoothest surface for when we’re ready to do a parking lot restripe service.

Why Would a Contractor Opt Out of Adding Aggregates?

When asphalt companies choose to skip the addition of aggregates, the reason usually comes down to them trying to reduce their expenses. Aggregates cost contractors money, and they take up space in the sealant, which means they’ll need to use more of the mix for every project.

The equipment that we use to keep the aggregates properly suspended in the mixture can also cost thousands of dollars, which is often out of reach for fly-by-night contractors. Seeing a contractor mixing aggregates in a big barrel is a huge warning sign that they aren’t using the proper mix, since the heavier sand or boiler slag just sinks to the bottom.

Work With a Sealcoating Contractor That Invests In Quality Aggregates and Equipment

Affordable Striping & Sealing is an asphalt maintenance company and is known for being selective about the materials that we use for sealcoating jobs. Our experienced crew also takes pride in providing the best asphalt crack repair, parking lot striping, parking lot maintenance, parking lot layout design and traffic sign services you’ll find in the Las Vegas area. Give us a call for an estimate at 702-222-9009, email us at estimating@affordablestriping.com or fill out our online form. We’re eager to tell you more about how we provide superior services to our clients every time.