Can Extreme Heat Affect Sealcoating In South Boston?

Sealcoating in South Boston is a must! This preventative maintenance service can help your asphalt surfaces beat the heat and overcome the many exposure-related challenges they face throughout their lifespan. While many property owners in Virginia know to wait until after the winter season to complete parking lot and driveway sealing, you also need to consider the effects of extreme heat. With temperatures in Virginia often exceeding 90 degrees in the summer, sealcoating can suffer more harm than you might realize. Here's what you need to know.

Why Does Weather Matter for Sealcoating in South Boston?

Weather is a crucial factor in asphalt sealing. To understand why, you need to know how asphalt sealcoating works.

South Boston sealcoating companies protect your pavement by applying thin coats of asphalt sealer, which is a product that contains a mix of water and asphalt emulsion or coal tar. After preparation, the final driveway sealing mix can contain around 60 percent water by volume.

After South Boston sealcoating contractors apply the sealer, they allow it to cure for up to 48 hours. During that time, the water content slowly evaporates, leaving the coal tar or asphalt emulsion to bond with your asphalt. The final result is a beautiful finish and superior protection.

Temperature and humidity directly affect the mechanisms of evaporation. In extreme heat, evaporation can occur too quickly, interfering with how asphalt sealing products penetrate and bond to your pavement.

What Are the Ideal Conditions for Sealcoating in South Boston?

South Boston sealcoating companies typically don't provide service during the winter season because it's too cold. However, they must also keep an eye on the weather forecast during the summer to ensure conditions aren't too hot for successful driveway sealing. Ideal temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit; however, most asphalt sealcoating products can perform well in temperatures ranging from 50 degrees to 90 degrees.

After that 90-degree mark, South Boston sealcoating contractors will encounter issues like flash curing. When this happens, the water in the sealer will evaporate too rapidly. It's unable to penetrate the pores of your asphalt, resulting in inferior protection and an ugly finish. Issues will also occur if humidity levels are above 50 percent. For successful sealcoating, contractors must wait until conditions are warm, dry and slightly breezy.

How Do South Boston Sealcoating Contractors Overcome the Risks of Excessive Heat?

Many South Boston sealcoating companies will reschedule sealcoating application appointments if the weather turns. That's a good thing! You want to work with contractors that care about the quality of the final product. Experienced companies will watch the weather forecast for application day and the days that follow for curing.

Beyond rescheduling, South Boston sealcoating contractors can take a few steps to overcome heat-related challenges. One tactic is to treat the initial layer of sealer as a primer. Professionals can create a special mix for the first coat consisting of more water. That extra water can prevent flash curing and cool the pavement sufficiently for subsequent layers to be successful.

Another strategy is to fog the pavement by misting it with water. The water will cool the asphalt and evaporate quickly, bringing the surface's temperature down to a suitable level for asphalt sealcoating.

At E. Wells Paving, we work hard to perform asphalt sealing the right way. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and it's our goal to deliver exceptional results. We monitor the forecast, provide transparent communication, and take all necessary precautions to ensure success. That applies to all our services, which include asphalt paving, driveways, repairs and more.

Call E. Wells Paving to get a free quote and book your service appointment today! You can reach us at (434) 443-5721 , email us at  ewellspaving98@gmail.com , or use our online contact form to get in touch.