Professionally applied sealcoating is an extremely effective way to prolong the life of your asphalt pavement. Seal coat serves as a sunscreen to block the ultraviolet radiation that turns asphalt dry, brittle and faded. Sealants also protect the pavement from automotive fluids that break down the binder in the asphalt, causing soft spots that cannot support the weight of traffic. Furthermore, sealants help protect asphalt pavement against water penetration, deicing chemicals and tire damage, and they also rejuvenate the asphalt’s color. Unfortunately, sealants cannot be applied year-round in the Kansas City area.
When Is the Asphalt Sealcoating Season? | Kansas City, MO
Is There an Official Sealcoat Season?
Every asphalt company would welcome the ability to have opening and closing dates for seal coating seasons carved in stone. Unfortunately, nature pays little attention to the calendar, so contractors can only use a pencil to record tentative dates for the season. The sealcoat season could begin or end earlier or later, but the typical season in Kansas City starts in late March and ends around the first of October. Your sealcoating contractor may be able to perform a successful application at other times, but he will need suitable weather conditions.
1. The pavement must be dry, so the sealant cannot be applied if there are still patches of snow or ice. If it has rained recently, the water must have drained or evaporated completely. Furthermore, the weather forecast should not include a significant possibility of rain for at least 12 hours following the completion of the work.
2. The temperature needs to be a minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit when work begins, and it cannot fall below that point overnight. At temperatures below 50 degrees, the particles of asphalt in the sealant will not soften sufficiently to create a continuous film. This makes the sealant appear gray in color, but it also affects the longevity of the work.
3. Humidity is another factor that contractors must consider. Since sealants contain water, they dry through evaporation. As you may already know, if the air is already saturated with moisture, the rate of evaporation is slowed significantly. Humidity can be even more critical in cool weather or on days with little wind.
4. Sealcoating contractors must exercise additional caution when temperatures are above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The hotter it is, the faster the sealant will dry. Although this might sound like a good thing, high temperatures can prevent the particles from fusing and creating a continuous film.
5. Sealants need to be exposed to three or four hours of direct sunlight to dry quickly and cure properly. Applying seal coat on a heavily overcast day is not recommended. This is also the reason that contractors do not want to apply sealants at night.
All Pro Asphalt is an asphalt contractor and we understand the various factors that can impact the success of an asphalt sealcoating job. Since our goal is to provide long-lasting, high-quality work that delivers true value to our customers, we make sure that conditions are suitable for your asphalt sealing project. Whether you need fresh sealant, parking lot striping, crack repairs, asphalt repair or concrete work, you can count on us for exceptional results at affordable prices. We offer free quotes, so call us at 816-249-6800 or complete the online request form to request yours today.
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