TECH TALK

Seal coating is an essential part of an asphalt pavement program; its primary function is to promote the longevity of the asphalt pavement's life by protecting it from the elements. An improvement in your driveway or parking lot's appearance is simply a bonus. For best results, a commercial-grade sealer should be applied using a hand-laid method (to ensure an even coat) every three to four years.

Seal Coatings are specialty coatings that are used for the protection and preservation of asphalt pavement surfaces. The name itself defines the role; a coating that acts as a shield to protect asphalt binder in the pavement, thus "locking-in" or "sealing-in" the redeeming properties of asphalt.

• To extend the service life of the asphalt pavement by sealing out: Sun’s ultraviolet rays, which result in oxidative decomposition.
• Deteriorating effects of deicing salts, oils, gasoline, and grease.
• Water and subsequent damage to the sub-base caused by water penetration.
• To beautify and enhance the appearance.
• To reduce the maintenance costs and extend the service life.
• To fill minor surface imperfections and yield an even looking surface.
• To provide a limited degree of skid resistance.

Seal Coat Application Method:

The method of application is the key factor in any preventive maintenance process. Preferred seal coatings uses either of the following processes for application of sealer.

Flood Coating/Squeegee/Broom Application.  Sealer applied by this method is equivalent to five or six spray coats. Flood Coating insures that all porous asphalts are penetrated and sealed.  Edging and finishing are accomplished by use of special squeegees or nylon brooms. Pavement sealed by this method should last four to five years depending on traffic conditions.

(Flood Coating Method is very Environmentally Friendly due to this controlled application.)

Over-Lapping Spray Coats. Application of sealer by this method is less expensive per square foot because much less material is applied; however, spray seal coating will NOT hold up nearly as long as the Flood Coating method. Furthermore.