Property owners arrange for sealcoating with the best intentions for protecting their asphalt from damage. Yet, a lot more work goes into doing a successful asphalt sealcoating project than you might see on the surface. Skipping even a single step could lead to failure. Knowing about the most common causes of sealcoating failures helps you recognize when you are working with a reputable company.
What Is the Leading Cause of Asphalt Sealcoating Failures?
Skimping on the prep work is the leading cause of failed sealcoating projects. Most people can see how obvious debris such as trash and lawn clippings could ruin an Austin asphalt sealcoating job. But, many sealcoating companies fail to pay attention to other types of surface debris that can interfere with the sealant being able to bond with the surface.
Pressure washing helps to remove deeply ground-in dirt, oils and other chemicals. Sealcoating contractors might also use compressed air, scrapers and wire brushes to fully prep the surface before moving forward with the project.
What Other Types of Prep Work Are Necessary to Prevent Failure?
Cleaning the pavement may reveal deeper damage that needs to be fixed before the asphalt sealcoating company applies the sealant. Sometimes, a contractor needs to put down primer to cover up greasy stains that don’t come up with cleaning. Asphalt repairs might also be necessary to create a smooth surface for the sealcoat.
Can Application Errors Impact the Longevity of the Sealcoat?
Most of the time, sealcoating contractors can follow the manufacturer’s instructions for making the right sealcoat mix. Yet, there are times when a contractor needs the experience and knowledge to know when to adjust the amount of additives they add to the mix for a project.
Trying to rush by applying the sealant in one big coat is another common cause of failure. Using two thin coats allows the sealant to adhere better to the pavement by giving it more time to cure.
How Does Timing Impact the Success of an Asphalt Sealcoating Project?
When you arrange for local asphalt sealcoating, the contractor might first ask about the age of the pavement. Applying the sealant too soon, when pavement still has excess oils from the initial paving process, is another common mistake inexperienced asphalt sealcoating contractors make.
The timing of the project also matters regarding the temperature and weather. Asphalt sealcoating in Austin needs to be done on a dry day when moisture won’t interfere with the sealant bonding with the pavement. An Austin asphalt sealcoating company should also try to do the job when rain isn’t in the forecast for 24 hours, which gives time for the new top coat to dry.
Discover Why Experience Matters for a Successful Sealcoating Project
JSC Asphalt Care, LLC knows how to carefully plan a sealcoating coating project to prevent failure, and we can even do asphalt repairs or power washing to get the surface perfectly smooth and clean. We also offer asphalt paving and routine parking lot maintenance services along with speed bump installation and parking lot signs. After the sealcoating is complete, we can do parking lot striping to finish out your project. The first step towards completing any successful asphalt maintenance project is getting a plan in place. Reach out to our team at to get started 512-980-1971, or you can fill out our online form today to get a free quote.