Now is the perfect time of year to prepare your driveway or parking lot for winter
If you are thinking about asphalt sealcoating your driveway or parking lot, you are in luck. Early fall is the perfect season to get it done. Your driveway or parking lot will need that extra help and protection come winter, meaning that as fall draws on, the time you have to get this done passes by quickly. A correctly designed preventative maintenance program can actually help to extend the life of your asphalt driveway or parking lot by 10-25 years depending on its current condition.
Sealcoating Is The Final Step
For the best and longest-lasting effects, pavement sealer needs to be applied to pavement in good condition. Sealcoating can only do so much for pavement that is severely damaged or structurally unsound. If you spot any of these defects in your pavement, you must get them fixed before applying sealcoating. These defects include alligator cracking, potholes, rutting, cracking due to incorrect asphalt thickness, and underground water issues.
When To Apply Pavement Sealer
Pavement sealer is generally applied from April 1st to October 31st. This is because manufacturers specifications call for temperatures of 50 degrees and rising. Pavement sealer should not be applied during any time of the year when temperatures will fall below 40 degrees overnight, so winter is ruled out completely. Early fall is the most popular time to seal as it will lend your pavement protection for rain, snow, sleet, and de-icing chemicals for the winter, and will not have been worn down by a summer of heavy traffic. However, pavement sealers require heat, wind, and sun to cure correctly, so it is important to not wait until late fall, as it will be too cold. This is why most sealcoating is done before October 31st.
Seal Coating Options
There is both Coal Tar Emulsion and Asphalt Emulsion. Coal Tar Emulsion pavement stealer has been an industry mainstay for decades. It is highly durable and often the choice in high-traffic areas. It is often used in fall sealcoating, after temperatures have dropped. Coal Tar Emulsion Pavement Sealer is typically reapplied every three years. Asphalt Emulsion, on the other hand, is more environmentally friendly. When applied in particularly high traffic areas, they may need to be touched up every two years.
Reach Out to Testa Paving Inc. Today!
If you are in the need of asphalt sealcoating services, Testa Paving Inc. is here to help! For over 35 years, Testa Paving Inc. has been a driving force within the industry and has been serving the areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia. Interested in one of the services offered by Testa Paving Inc.? These Include repairs, hardscaping, paving, and seal coating. Call us today at 301-663-5861 or visit our contact page to get in touch with one of our experts.