Asphalt has poor UV resistance and will begin to oxidize very quickly. Oxidation of pavement is a lot like oxidation of steel, also known as rust. As the pavement begins to oxidize, it becomes more brittle. Oxidized pavement will also be quicker to soak up water, which carries with it an increase in all of the forms of wear that water can cause. The purpose of sealant is to put a layer of protection between the asphalt, the damaging UV rays, and the weathering effects that exposure can cause.
Think of applying sealant like applying a layer of paint or clear coat to your bare steel projects to help prevent them from rusting. As asphalt paving is an expensive process, you can quickly see the benefit of applying sealcoat to protect it.
If sealcoating is like paint on bare metal, then sealcoat spraying is like a giant paint sprayer. When applying sealcoating using the spray method, the crew will show up with a tank trunk, or perhaps a smaller tow-behind tank. High pressure is then applied to the tank which sprays out the sealant onto the surface of the pavement. This method is quick and makes it easy to achieve an even result with minimal manual interference.
Most people probably know the squeegee as that thing that quickly dries a surface by pushing all of the liquid away. Someone who has taken certain shop classes will recognize it as a tool that allows you to press a filler into an uneven surface, creating an even surface. Auto body technicians, for example, use squeegees to apply body filler to smooth out dents. It is this use of the tool that is applicable to sealcoating. The sealcoat is placed onto the asphalt surface and then the crew, either manually, or with a machine, use squeegees to force the liquid into the surface of the asphalt, providing significantly deeper coverage than the surface level application of the sprayer.
This method takes a little bit more work to apply and to get an even result but provides better protection. Earlier, we compared sealcoating to applying a coat of paint in order to prevent rust. Given that comparison, it may seem that spraying it on is the better option. It's faster, cheaper, and that's the exact process that it used to apply the paint that protects even the most expensive cars. So, spraying is clearly the better option, right? Because weather conditions play a significant role in drying time, if the weather is cool, the crew may not have time to apply the second coat on the same day.
As already noted, if there are voids, the sealant can be forced into them with a squeegee, but if there are no voids, the squeegee may glide too easily over the surface and leave too little sealant behind. This can lead to patches that take longer to cure as well as a finished surface that is less attractive. Many contractors find that they obtain better results if they apply the first coat by hand around buildings and sidewalks, use a squeegee machine or hand tools to apply the balance of the first coat and then use the spray method for the second coat.
The squeegee method creates the superior bond, but it can leave slight imperfections such as tiny holes. These minor flaws can be eliminated when the spray method is used for the second coat. Whether you decide to do the sealing yourself, or hire the services of a sealcoating company, it is important to verify that there is no forecasted rain within 48 hours before and after.
Rain can delay the entire cleaning and preparation process, and even wash off the sealer before it can dry up completely. If your driveway has cracks and potholes, weeds and moss might have already grown in them. You can remove them manually by pulling them out, or use a trowel.
Remove grass or plants along the edges of the driveway. Grass stalks, plant branches and leaves hanging over the edges of the asphalt driveway are obstructions that can cause indentations and patches on the pavement when sealcoating. It is best to remove them beforehand. Use a stiff-bristled broom to sweep away chips of loosened aggregate, pebbles, fallen leaves and twigs as these can prevent the sealer from adhering properly.
Follow through with a high-powered blower to further remove fine sand and other remaining debris that are too tiny to be swept away with a broom. Oil and other chemical spills have a long-term effect on your asphalt pavement if not cleaned off right away.
Remove oil stains and spills effectively using a professional-grade degreaser. This will help prevent further damage to the surface and help the sealer stick to asphalt better. Important: Wear protective clothing, gloves, and googles when working with cleaning solutions as they can cause allergic reactions, burning, or a stinging sensation when they come in direct contact with your skin. If you accidentally get some on your skin or eyes, rinse with water and request for appropriate medical assistance.
Residue from loose debris, vegetation and cleaning solutions can prevent the sealer from effectively sticking to the asphalt surface, which is why power washing the driveway before priming is recommended. Once the driveway has been washed down, let it dry for a few hours or overnight before proceeding to the next step. To ensure an even and smooth finish when sealcoating, you have to fill the cracks and potholes first. You will need different types of fillers depending on the size and depth of the cracks and holes present on the driveway.
Use a clean brush, broom or sprayer to apply primer, such as the Gem Seal Tar Prime Latex-Based Primer , on the driveway surface before sealing. Whether you are a homeowner or a sealcoating contractor, you need to know how much sealer is required to cover the entire driveway. The best way to determine this is to actually measure the driveway. With the aid of a measuring tape, get the length and width of the driveway, then multiply these values together to get the square footage.
Coverage rate is about sq. Now that the necessary prep work is done, it is time to start sealcoating. Below are the steps on how and when to apply sealer using both manual and sprayer methods. If the temperature is too hot, it will melt the sealer and prevent it from effectively coating the driveway. First, remove the lid of the container.
Next, fit a power drill with a mixing paddle , and lower carefully into the container until the tip of the paddle touches the bottom. Turn the drill on and carefully move the mixer in a circular and up and down motion to agitate the sealer concentrate until it blends well with the water. Keep mixing until you get a smooth, pudding-like consistency. Sealcoating is a messy job, so it is best to wear clothing the covers your body as much as possible.
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