7 Myths about Asphalt Seal Coating at Night
Asphalt contractors understand that you want to minimize any disruption to your routine while work is being performed. They know that customers need to keep their streets and parking lots open as much as possible. Many customers think that they can accomplish this by having sealcoating applied at night, but sealcoating at night is not a good idea. By exploring the following common myths about sealcoating, you can gain a better understanding of why sealcoating needs to be applied during the day.
MYTH: APPLYING SEALCOATING AT NIGHT ALLOWS YOU TO OPEN THE AREA FOR MORNING TRAFFIC
It would be nice, but in reality, the area will likely need to remain closed until around noon. The sealcoating will not be sufficiently cured until it has been exposed to sunlight for several hours.
MYTH: COOLER TEMPERATURES ARE BETTER FOR ASPHALT SEALCOATING
Temperatures should be within a specific range for a sealcoating job to be successful. If the overnight temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the sealant can be ruined.
MYTH: SEALCOATING WILL DRY ADEQUATELY AT NIGHT
Sealants dry through evaporation. The cooler the temperature, the longer evaporation takes. The longer evaporation takes, the greater the chance that the sealant will become degraded. Sand may fall out of suspension, additives may break down and you could wind up with a sticky mess.
MYTH: SEALCOATING DOES NOT NEED SUNLIGHT
The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun plays an important role in the curing process for sealcoating. Curing is more than just drying; sealcoating can potentially be dry in spots without being sufficiently cured. The curing process is what allows the sealant to form a hard film that shields asphalt pavement from automotive fluids and oxidation.
MYTH: SEALCOATING AT NIGHT SAVES TIME IF A SECOND COAT IS NEEDED
If you need a second coat of sealant applied or need your parking lot striped, you could actually be delaying completion by having sealcoating applied the night before. The sealant will not be sufficiently cured for work to resume early the next morning.
MYTH: SEALCOATING REQUIRES CLOSING THE ENTIRE PARKING LOT
If you have two entrances to your building and two driveways servicing your parking lot, sealcoating can usually be applied in sections. One area at a time is closed, the sealcoating is applied and the area is opened to traffic. The process is repeated until the entire parking lot has been sealed.
MYTH: ASPHALT SEALCOATING PROFESSIONALS ONLY WORK DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS
Many asphalt contractors perform sealcoating jobs on holidays and weekends. Their office personnel may not be on duty, but the contractor and his crew may be performing a variety of tasks, including sealcoating, crack filling, parking lot striping and pothole repairs. Therefore, you should never assume that your contractor will be unwilling to work with your schedule — as long as you do not insist that he apply sealcoating at night.
FACT: APM Paving can help
APM is a paving company that offers a full range of services for all types of concrete and asphalt pavement. Our services include sealcoating, asphalt repair, asphalt paving, parking lot striping, curbing, pavement markings, concrete paving and site work. We have been serving Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky for more than 35 years. We deliver work that is of the highest quality at prices that are extremely affordable. If you have more questions about Asphalt Sealcoating at Night or would like a free, no-obligation estimate, fill out the online form or call (859) 299-8111.
