Asphalt sealcoating provides an important layer of protection to your asphalt pavement against weather elements, as well as oil, gas, and water. Besides, when applied following the recommended specifications, sealcoating makes asphalt pavements slip-resistant, in addition to restoring the surface to its original look. This makes sealcoating one of the most effective ways of keeping your asphalt pavement in the best condition for it to last its lifetime.
However, for asphalt sealcoating to be effective, it’s essential to make sure that you follow the recommended instructions, like following the proper application steps and letting it dry within the required time. According to Shamblin Paving, overnight temperatures will also impact how long it takes the coating to cure.
Reasons why you should sealcoat your asphalt pavement
Protection against the weather
The main purpose of sealcoating is to protect asphalt pavements from weather elements, such as rain, snow, ice, and UV rays. Asphalt sealcoating forms a barrier that keeps water from seeping into the pavement and destabilizing it. In addition, it also prevents cracking, fading, and other damage that may be caused by the sun’s UV rays.
Prevention of oil and gas spills
Another important benefit of sealcoating is that it helps to prevent oil and gas spills from damaging the asphalt surface. When these spills occur, they can cause long-term damage to the pavement, leading to costly repairs or replacements. Sealcoating creates a protective barrier that keeps oil and gas penetrating the pavement.
Reduction of asphalt maintenance expenses
The experts from CSG Sealcoating, Tampa say that sealcoating prevents cracks, potholes, and other damage to the surface of your asphalt pavement, which means less road work for you, as well as reduced costs for maintaining your property. In contrast, when there are no protective layers of sealer on asphalt pavements, they tend to require more extensive repairs and resurfacing every three to five years. With average annual repair costs at around $500 per lane mile, this can be very expensive over time!
Upgrade in aesthetics
When you have a well-maintained asphalt surface with a protective sealcoat layer intact, it will last longer and keep looking fresh for much longer. Unfortunately, when asphalt pavements are neglected, the protective sealer starts to wear off, making them appear old and chipped, thus lowering your property value.
Increase in safety
As mentioned above, sealcoating makes asphalt more slip-resistant by creating a non-skid surface. This ensures that drivers can control their cars when driving on a properly sealed surface.
How long does it take for asphalt sealcoating to dry?
Many contractors apply sealer using rollers, squeegees, shovels, or paint sprayer. This is the first thing you should note when applying asphalt sealcoating yourself. You should only use the recommended application tool to avoid contaminating your sealcoat fluid and wasting time waiting for it to dry.
Besides this, there are other factors that affect the length of time it takes for asphalt sealcoating to dry. For instance:
- Temperature – warm temperatures evaporate solvent more quickly than cold ones do. So if your weather is warmer than usual, you will need to wait for some time before re-entering an area where you applied asphalt sealer. You can also speed up curing by using warm water to wash the sealer from your tools and shoes, then allow them to dry in an area where they won’t be exposed to cold temperatures.
- Humidity – Similarly, high humidity levels also cause asphalt sealcoating to take a longer time to dry. If you’re able to reduce the moisture in the air by using a dehumidifier, you will find that asphalt sealcoating takes less time to dry.
- The depth of application – the more asphalt sealer coat applied, the longer it will take for it to cure completely. So if you want your pavement or driveway to keep looking freshly sealed for longer periods, then you should apply several thin layers instead of one thick layer.
- Amount of traffic – the more people or vehicles that use the pavement after it has been sealed, the more quickly the sealer will wear away. So if you want your sealcoat to last as long as possible, it is best to keep traffic off it for at least 24 hours after application.
Now that you know all of these different factors, you can better estimate how long it will take for asphalt sealcoating to dry in your particular situation. Keep in mind that the curing process takes longer in cold weather conditions and high humidity areas, so be patient.
Bottom Line
If you want to make sure that your asphalt pavement is well-protected against the damaging effects of water, dirt, and other elements, then you should consider investing in asphalt sealcoating. Applying a quality coating will help preserve the life of your pavement and make it easier to clean and maintain. Remember that while applying asphalt sealcoating will protect your pavement, it does not prevent cracks or potholes from forming, so be sure to repair them promptly when needed.
Lastly, don’t forget to give your pavement time to cure. And, while you can walk on your newly-sealed pavement to compact the coating before waiting for it to dry completely. This process usually takes a few hours to several days, depending on how much sealant you used, what type of sealer it is, and other factors mentioned earlier in this article.