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Is May the Best Month for Asphalt Sealcoating?

Is May the Best Month for Asphalt Sealcoating?An asphalt sealant, also known as a sealcoat, can dramatically reduce the lifetime costs of an asphalt pavement by preventing damage that can lead to frequently, expensive repairs and premature deterioration. A sealcoat also makes the pavement more attractive by restoring its original dark color and concealing minor surface imperfections. Furthermore, sealcoating improves the pavement’s traction and make sweeping faster and easier. Asphalt sealcoating needs periodic applications to deliver the maximum benefits, however, and in the Dallas area, May is an ideal time for your contractor to perform the task.

Why Is May a Good Month for Asphalt Sealcoating?

Sealcoating manufacturers formulate their products to perform best when they are applied under specific environmental conditions. Furthermore, most of these conditions are interrelated, so Dallas sealcoating contractors must consider them as a group. During May, the various conditions needed for successful asphalt sealcoating in Dallas are typically more likely to come together on more days than during many other months.

What Environmental Conditions Are Needed for Asphalt Sealcoating?

Although the other conditions for Dallas asphalt sealcoating are related, one stands alone: Asphalt sealcoating in Dallas cannot take place while it is raining. In addition, the newly sealed pavement should remain free from water, whether from rain or sprinklers, for at least 24 hours. To ensure a successful application, your sealcoating company will make sure that no rain is in the forecast. Your asphalt paving lot sealcoating professional will also look for the following conditions.

1. Temperature: The ideal temperature for applying parking lot sealcoating is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if the other conditions are acceptable, asphalt sealcoating in Dallas can be applied successfully at temperatures as low as 50 degrees as long as the temperature does not fall below that for at least 24 hours. It is important to note that contractors often need to take steps to cool down a pavement on summer days when temperatures are frequently above 90%.
2. Humidity: Sealcoating contractors prefer a relative humidity level of no more than 50%. Depending on other factors, however, a humidity level of less than 90% is normally acceptable.
3. Wind: A light wind is desirable, but high wind speeds can be problematic. Sealcoating companies prefer wind speeds of between 3 mph and 9 mph, but they can usually complete a job successfully if the winds are somewhat higher.
4. Sunlight: Asphalt paving lot sealcoating needs a minimum of four hours of exposure to sunlight. Therefore, most sealcoating companies are extremely reluctant to undertake an application on days with a heavy cloud cover.

How Do Environmental Conditions Relate to Each Other for Dallas Asphalt Sealcoating?

By volume, asphalt paving lot sealcoating has a water content of around 70%. This water must evaporate for the sealant to cure correctly. Therefore, conditions that impede evaporation lead to longer curing times, while conditions that expedite evaporation accelerate curing. However, parking lot sealcoating needs to cure at a precise rate, so it is important for all factors to work together in a predictable manner.

1. Temperature: Water evaporates faster at hotter temperatures than at cooler temperatures. If the temperature is hovering between 50 and 55 degrees, it is even more important that the other conditions are not also marginal.
2. Humidity: Relative humidity is a measurement of how much water vapor the air in a specific location contains. As asphalt sealants cure, the process of evaporation releases water molecules into the air. At high humidity levels, the air above the pavement can be too saturated with water vapor to have room for the molecules escaping from the sealant, slowing the process. However, the wind can help offset high humidity levels.
3. Wind: A light, steady breeze helps encourage evaporation by moving the air away from the surface. This carries away the air that contains water molecules that have escaped from the sealant, opening up room for more molecules. However, if the wind is too high, it can be difficult for workers to achieve an even application. In addition, on a hot day, a high wind can result in the flash-drying of the parking lot sealcoating, especially if the humidity is low. This can affect the appearance of the sealcoating as well as its longevity.
4. Sunlight: Longer days mean that a Dallas asphalt sealcoating company can accomplish more during a typical workday. You probably know that the sun generates heat, but it also renews heat. This means that sunlight can help keep the temperature of the uncured sealant steady throughout the curing process.

HI-TEK Paving Services can assist commercial, industrial, and municipal clients in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with all their pavement-related needs. We are highly respected for our customer service, craftsmanship, and professionalism. Our services include asphalt sealcoating, asphalt crack repair, asphalt overlays, asphalt repair, parking lot maintenance, concrete installation and repair, and parking lot striping. Contact us to request a free quote; you can call 214-908-9641, fill out our online form, or email Info@HI-TEKPavingDallas.com.