Tag Archives: Coal Tar Seal Coats

Frequently Asked Questions about Sealcoating

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Every professional paver understands the importance of pavement preventative maintenance. In order to maintain aesthetically-pleasing pavement that lasts, certain measures must be applied. One of the most common and effective methods for extending the life of asphalt pavement is sealcoating. But many property owners have several questions regarding the sealcoating process and more.

Continue reading to review some of the most frequently asked questions about pavement sealcoating, as well as, their answers!

Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833
Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Top Seal Coating Questions and Answers

Why Should Two Coats of Seal Coat Be Applied When a Single Coat Looks Good Enough?

The reason why professional pavement contractors apply more than one layer of sealcoat is to promote stability, durability, and longevity. The look of your commercial pavement is just one small aspect of proper pavement installation and maintenance. Beyond appearances, your pavement needs to be strong and long-lasting, and two layers of sealcoat supports this goal a lot better than one layer of sealcoat.

Why Apply Two Thin Layers of Seal Coat Instead of Just One Thick Layer?

Since sealcoats are mostly water-based, part of their curing process involves water being released, or evaporated as it dries from top to bottom. For these reasons, the drying and curing process is much more efficient and effective when sealcoat is applied in two thin layers, rather than applying just one single thick layer. When it comes to quality workmanship and outstanding results, shortcuts never work.

Why Does Sealcoating Sometimes Peel or Fail to Be Effective?

Peeling can occur when sealcoating cannot bond to oil spots and other similar surface contaminants, such as dirt, grease, oxidized pavements, and more. This is why it is critical for pavers to thoroughly clean the pavement before the sealcoat application process. When the cleaning step is not properly executed, peeling and other sealcoating flaws will appear. Oil spots must be treated with an oil spot primer, and oxidized pavements must be primed with a specialty primer or tack coat.

Why Causes Sealcoating to Have White Streaks?

Sometimes the foundation or base of the pavement is the reason for white streaks in finished sealcoat projects. This can happen when the limestone in the base of the pavement starts to come upward toward the surface via water in preexisting cracks. White streaks can also be a result of the materials being processed inadequately in terms of clay and fillers.

How Soon Can Sealcoating Be Applied to Fresh Pavement?

Once new asphalt pavement is laid, it generally takes at least 4 to 6 weeks for the surface to rid itself of light oils through the process of oxidation. Once this process is complete, sealcoat can be applied. Professionals sometimes use an inspection called a “Water Break Free Test” to determine if asphalt pavement is ready for sealcoating. If the clean, potable water spreads on the pavement, without oily rainbow-colored rings or beading, it is ready for the sealcoating process.

Indianapolis Asphalt and Concrete Sealcoating Contractors

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for professional asphalt sealcoating services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed road construction contractors provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete work for commercial and industrial properties, including inspections, installation, replacement, repair, and more. We also offer free estimates and consultations, flexible scheduling, references upon request, and more. Best of all, our work is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can rest assure that your investment is sound. Request a free quote, today.

Factors to Consider When Sealcoating in the Fall

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Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Whether you plan to hire a professional service, or choose to do it yourself, sealcoating pavements is a job best completed in the fall. The weather this time of year, especially in Indiana, is the perfect climate for seal coating purposes. The low humidity and sunny days make the perfect formula for efficient and well-crafted sealcoats.

If you do plan to hire a professional company, it is wise to get a jump start on scheduling your sealcoating services. This is because fall-time is the busiest time of year for pavers. Many companies, mostly the ones that have been in business for quite some time, set cut-off dates because they cannot take on any more projects. Once winter hits, sealcoating is not an option any longer. Proper owners have no choice but to wait for early spring to come, and schedule their much-needed pavement maintenance services then.

If you are planning to seal coat your own pavement, then be sure to brush up on your pavement maintenance knowledge, as well as your inventory. Research the best sealcoats on the market and purchase all the needed supplies. Next, continue reading to learn some factors to consider before starting your fall paving project!

Temperature, Time, and Weather Factors

Indianapolis Seal Coating 317-549-1833

Indianapolis Seal Coating 317-549-1833

When it comes to seal coating on your own, be sure to review some important factors for a successful outcome. Most factors involve either temperature, time, and weather. But there are several others factors involving other focuses too. They are as follows:

Ideal hours for sealcoating projects are generally all day. Start early in the morning, as soon as the sun rises, and you should have plenty of sun and daylight to finish the job.

Ideal temperatures for effective sealcoating should be 50 degrees and rising, which means the temperatures should climb as the day progress. If it’s too cold, sealcoat cannot dry or cure properly.

If you have to seal coat in temperatures at or lower than 50 degrees, be sure the work area will receive at least three hours of sunlight for full drying and curing purposes.

Avoid seal coating in the shade. Without abundant sunlight, sealcoat cannot dry or cure effectively. If you must seal coat in the shade, be sure to apply just before the sunlight hits, so that is gets at least 2 hours of sun. In areas that never get sunlight, you will have better chances of waiting until the spring when the ground is warmer to help with drying and curing.

Avoid sealcoat projects on cloudy days. Just like in the cold and shade, sealcoat cannot dry and cure properly on a chilly sunless day. The only cloudy days you can effectively sealcoat on are higher temperature days when the warmth is enough to dry the material.

If sealcoating at night, be sure the temperatures will not get lower than 65 degrees. This means it may be too late in the season for some states. Then, wait until late morning before walking on the fresh sealcoat so that it can get some morning sun.

ACI Asphalt and Concrete Inc.

Pavement Services Indianapolis Indiana

Pavement Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-549-1833

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete Inc. at 317-549-1833 for seal coating services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Lindsey Lewis, is happy to discuss your sealcoating needs and inquires. We offer commercial and industrial-level pavement repair, maintenance, installation, sealcoating, winter cold patching, and much more. Call 317-549-1833 for professional asphalt sealcoating in Indianapolis, IN.

Coal Tar-Based Seal Coats Versus Asphalt-Based Seal Coats

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In the paving industry, there has been a long-term debate regarding the pros and cons of both coal tar and asphalt seal coats. And anyone that works in the industry is either for one way or the other, having a strong opinion and preference about each. Although coal tar was used prior to World War II, asphalt-based seal coats were an innovative and exciting addition to the paving industry in the 1980’s.

Continue reading to learn more about these two types of seal coating materials, as well as, the pros and cons of of each.

Indianapolis Asphalt Seal Coating 317-549-1833
Indianapolis Asphalt Seal Coating 317-549-1833

Coal Tar Seal Coats

As mentioned, coal tar-based seal coats were used prior to World War II, and have been the customary seal coat for asphalt pavements east of the Rocky Mountains for many years. But in the recent years, many states and municipalities have banned the use and sale of coal tar seal coats for environmental and health reasons. Such states include Washington, Illinois, New York, Minnesota, Maryland, Washington State, The District of Columbia, and Austen Texas. The reason for such bans has to do with coal tar seal coat toxicity. It contains 20 to 30 percent coal tar pitch, which is a steel manufacturing by-product made of 50% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are harmful to humans and the environment. In fact, it is considered a human carcinogen.

Although there are drawbacks to coal tar emulsions, there are a few strong points worth mentioning as well. Coal tar seal coating is highly durable and the application process is easy. It’s also oil and fuel resistant. It is said that the application of coal tar seal coating has to be precise in order to prevent harming the environment and jeopardizing human health; but everyone has their own opinions about this!

Asphalt Seal Coats

Many in the industry look to asphalt-based seal coats as an alternative to the off-putting coal tar based materials. It is a byproduct of petroleum refining and provides a deep, rich black topcoat color. They are much better for the environment because they do not emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). This makes this a great alternative to coal tar emulsions. It is also easy to install and less prone to cracking. A few downfalls to asphalt-based sealcoats include their vulnerability to fuel and oil. Unlike coal tar sealcoats, asphalt-based sealers are less resistant to oil, gasoline, and more.

Indianapolis Commercial Paving and Sealcoating Services

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial pavement repair and sealcoating service in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed road construction contractors provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete work for commercial and industrial properties, including inspections, installation, replacement, repair, and more. We also offer free estimates and consultations, flexible scheduling, references upon request, and more. Best of all, our work is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can rest assure that your investment is sound. Request a free quote, today.