Sealcoating Your Asphalt: Why Timing Is Important

Sealcoating is one of the most important parts of asphalt maintenance. A proper sealant can easily extend the life of asphalt and improve the overall look of the surface. Sealcoating provides protective properties that are particularly beneficial in snowy climates. However, you should try not to wait until the winter season to sealcoat your asphalt surface. Doing so may make it so that the sealant does not have adequate time to fully harden. The following are some things you should know about sealcoating and why summer and early fall are the best times to do it.

When Is Sealcoating Most Successful?

Asphalt professionals have to be careful when they start the sealcoating process. If they do not time it just right, it can be problematic. Sealcoating is a liquid when it is applied to asphalt. It needs plenty of UV light to help it fully dry. You can apply sealcoating when the seasons change or when there is less sunlight, but it may not be as beneficial.

The hot temperatures of summer make it the ideal time to sealcoat asphalt. If you wait too long and the temperatures start to decrease, you could have to take special precautions to prevent any driving on asphalt until it is fully dry. This means you have to find another place to park vehicles or provide alternative routes if you have regular traffic on your asphalt surface.

You should also keep in mind that sealcoating does not dry as quickly when the weather is wet. In the summer, precipitation is not as frequent as it is in the fall and winter. Contractors need a stretch of several days with no precipitation to properly apply the sealcoating.

Should You Move Forward with Sealcoating After Summer?

If you miss the summer season to sealcoat your asphalt, you may still be able to apply it in some circumstances. The decision will ultimately rest with your asphalt contractor. However, you may still have the option if you live in a hotter climate with little fall or winter precipitation. The size and scope of your project will also be a factor in making the final decision.

In some cases, you may have to just have any cracks or holes repaired in the asphalt and wait until the end of winter to sealcoat. Your contractor will evaluate your asphalt surface and decide whether or not to move forward with the sealcoating process.

If you have any questions about sealcoating your asphalt, be sure to contact your contractor right away so you do not miss the best window for application.

For more information on sealcoats, contact an asphalt supplier.