Tag Archives: asphalt-based sealcoats

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sealcoat

Posted on by

Sealcoating is an important part of asphalt installation and maintenance. Just like any asset, asphalt requires some protection and routine care to preserve its value. When it comes to choosing a sealcoat for your asphalt pavement, it is important to recognize a few factors that one should consider before making any final purchases.

Continue reading to review some common factors to consider before choosing a sealcoat for your pavement.

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

How to Extend the Life of Your Pavement

Sealcoats serve multiple purposes for asphalt pavements, primarily for protective and aesthetic reasons. They provide a protective coating on asphalt pavement, preserving its fresh black luster and preventing imperfections on its surface. It is applied by either brush or spray to seal out moisture and prevent cracking, potholes, and other general pavement damages. They are meant to last anywhere between two and four years, depending on the rate of natural wear and tear. They are best known for the uniform black appearance they give pavement, as well as, the degree of protection against moisture. This protection against moisture is the key to preventing cracking, crumbling, and pot holes.

If you are in the market for sealcoat, be sure to consider these important factors before you decide to buy one:

1. Cohesiveness
2. Adhesiveness
3. Preparation Time
4. Cure Time
5. Ease of Workability/Application
6. Elasticity
7. Weather Resistance
8. Moisture Resistance
9. Resistance to Natural Wear and Tear

It is highly recommended to consult a professional paving contractor for advice about choosing the proper sealcoat for your asphalt project. There are various circumstances that can influence the type of sealcoat you should use, and countless brands to choose from. A licensed paver can not only offer you accurate and reliable advice, they can provide the sealcoating service for you at an affordable cost!

Indianapolis Sealcoating for Commercial Pavements and Roads

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial sealcoating and asphalt maintenance 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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.