FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I. SEALCOATING QUESTIONS:
Q: Why should I have my pavement sealcoated?
Besides refreshing the look of your pavement, the sealer protects asphalt pavements from the destructive elements of weather, gas, oil, anti-freeze and many other chemicals that could damage the pavement.
Q: How often should pavement be sealcoated?
Asphalt pavements should be sealcoated every one to two years. The amount of traffic is the deciding factor. Surfaces that receive light traffic like home driveways require re-coating less frequently than parking lots receiving moderate to heavy traffic.
Q: Are all brands of pavement sealer the same?
All brands of pavement sealer are definitely NOT EQUAL! We solely use Sealmaster products as they offer the best quality, finish and durability in the industry. Rest assured, you will be receiving the best product and not some inferior brand.
Q: How soon can new pavement be sealcoated?
Newly paved asphalt surfaces should not be sealcoated until they have had sufficient time to cure. Curing allows the excess oils that are always present in new asphalt pavements to diminish through a process called oxidation. This process can take as little as 60 days or as much as 90 days depending on the percentage of oil present in the new pavement.
Q: Do I have to be home when the work is done?
It is not necessary for you to stay at home on the day that work is scheduled. Just be sure that there are no vehicles, etc. left on the work surface and that any automatic sprinklers are deactivated the night before work is scheduled. We will perform the work as discussed and we will tie barricade tape across the entrance of the newly coated area when finished.
Q: Will pavement sealer make the pavement slippery?
No, pavement sealer will not make the surface slippery. Silica sand is mixed in with our pavement sealer at a rate of 3 pounds of sand per gallon of pavement sealer, resulting in an improved slip-resistant surface. Not all contractors use this type of mix, so be sure to ask.
Q: What are the best weather conditions for applying pavement sealer?
Pavement sealer should only be applied when the surface temperature is 50 degrees and rising. Water should be kept from entering onto the newly sealcoated surface until it has had time to completely dry; therefore obtaining an accurate weather forecast is essential.
Q: What happens if the weather forecast is incorrect?
We take full responsibility for obtaining an accurate weather forecast. If the forecast is unfavorable, we will call you to re-schedule for another day. Furthermore, if the forecast turns out to be incorrect and your coating is damaged by rainfall before it has had time to completely dry, we will repair any damaged areas or re-coat the entire area at NO EXTRA CHARGE!
Q: How should pavement sealer be applied?
Pavement sealer can be applied either by hand or by spraying. We usually apply the pavement sealer by hand (using a nylon brush applicator) on smaller areas such as home driveways. Spraying of pavement sealer is usually reserved for larger, open areas such as parking lots and roadways. Either method will result in a quality, long lasting coating when done properly.
Q: How long should I stay off the new coating?
We usually recommend staying off a newly sealcoated surface for 30 hours.
Q: Can pavement sealer be applied to concrete?
No; pavement sealer will not permanently adhere to concrete or cement surfaces.
Q: Can pavement sealer fill cracks in the pavement?
No; pavement sealer will not fill cracks in the pavement. Crack repairs must be performed before the sealcoating is applied.
Q: My pavement has some depressions that hold water; will pavement sealer fix this?
No, pavement sealer will not fill depressions or holes in the asphalt pavement.
Q: Will the pavement sealer cover oil stains?
Pavement sealer will not adhere to oil stains unless the stain is treated with an oil spot primer.
Q: What causes scuff marks in the new coating of pavement sealer?
Scuffing of the newly sealcoated surface may occur on very hot days when the temperature rises above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Scuffing is normal and temporary, usually occurring within the first month after the sealcoating has been applied. The best way to minimize scuffing is to be sure that your vehicle is in motion before turning the steering wheel.
Q: How many coatings of pavement sealer should be applied?
One coating of pavement sealer is sufficient for the average home driveway. Two coatings of pavement sealer IS recommended on most parking lots receiving moderate to heavy traffic. A third coating of pavement sealer is recommended on parking lot entrances and roadway where excessive wear occurs due to constant turning and excessive use.
II. CRACK REPAIR QUESTIONS:
Q: What is hot pour crack filler?
Hot pour crack filler is a flexible, rubber-like product that is used to repair cracks in asphalt pavements. It starts out as a solid, rubber block or cube which is melted down in a special kettle. Once melted, the crack filler is applied over cracks in the asphalt pavement as a flat strip.
Q: What is the difference between hot pour and cold pour crack fillers?
Hot pour crack filler is applied hot. It then cools to a pliable, rubber like consistency allowing it to expand and contract with the crack. Cold pour crack filler can be a water or asphalt based product that is applied to cracks in liquid form and then dries to a solid. Cold pour crack fillers usually do not perform as well as hot pour crack fillers due to their lack of flexibility when dried.
Q: Why isn't the hot pour crack filler completely hardened?
After it has been applied and allowed to cool, hot pour crack filler is supposed to remain flexible. If you press it with your finger it will flex. If you park on it with your car tires, it will temporarily retain the tread pattern. This is normal for this type of material.
Q: How soon can pavement sealer be applied to hot pour crack filler?
Pavement sealer can be applied to hot pour crack filler almost immediately! Hot pour crack filler usually cools enough to apply sealcoating within 5 minutes of being applied to the ground.
III. BUSINESS OWNERS CONCERNS:
Q: Will I have to close my business parking lot while the work is being performed?
There are many different ways to plan work on a business parking area. Much depends on the size of the area and the number of access points available to enter the building. We will consult with you and develop a plan that meets your satisfaction.
Q: Can my parking lot be sealcoated in separate sections?
The larger the work area, the more likely it is that we could perform the work in separate sections.
Q: Can work be scheduled on a Saturday, Sunday, or Holiday?
Yes; we do schedule work on weekends and holidays. Minimal disruption of your business operations is a major priority. We realize that weekends and holidays may be the only times when you can close your parking area in order to give us access.
Q: Will you provide barricades for my parking lot?
Yes; we will provide traffic cones and barricade tape to insure that the work area is properly blocked off.
Q: How soon can I re-open my parking lot to traffic?
We can usually have your parking lot re-opened to traffic the day after work is completed, weather permitting. Foot traffic can usually be permitted within 10 hours of application of pavement sealer, depending on the drying conditions that exist on the day that work is performed.
Q: How many coatings of pavement sealer should be applied to my parking lot?
Parking areas that receive moderate to heavy traffic should receive two coats of pavement sealer. Sometimes a third coat of pavement sealer is necessary on entrances and traffic lanes where excessive turning and use take place.
Q: Can you insure that my line striping layout will meet Federal & State specifications?
Yes; we will happy to advise you as to the requirements for meeting Federal & State ADA Specifications relating to your line striping layout.
IV. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Q: What preparations should you make before we arrive?
There are a few preparations that you should make before our arrival on your property:
- Move all vehicles at least 50 feet from the work area.
- Turn off automatic sprinklers the night before our arrival.
- The pavement must be completely dry.
- Keep all pets on leash or in the house. (Applies to neighbors loose pets too)
- Notify family members to keep off pavement. (Especially small children)
- Notify potential guests to keep off pavement.
- Do not schedule landscapers, etc. on the same day.
- Do not schedule deliveries on the same day.