Common Sealcoating Mistakes: How to Avoid Them and Save Money

When it comes to maintaining your asphalt pavement, sealcoating is one of the most critical tasks that you must perform. It’s a relatively affordable process, but it can help extend your pavement’s lifespan by up to 10 years. However, many property owners make crucial mistakes when doing sealcoating themselves, leading to a waste of time, money, and even damage to their pavement. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the most common sealcoating mistakes and give you tips on how to avoid them.

1. Not Cleaning the Pavement

Perhaps the most crucial step in sealcoating is cleaning the pavement properly. Without cleaning the pavement, the sealant won’t stick effectively, leading to a patchy application and reduced lifespan. Many people simply hose off the pavement and call it a day, but that’s insufficient when it comes to sealcoating. You need to use a power washer to remove all dirt, debris, and vegetation from the pavement. If you don’t have a power washer, you can rent one from a home-improvement store or hire a professional pressure washing company to do the job.

2. Applying Sealcoat Too Thinly

Another common mistake when sealcoating your pavement is applying the sealcoat too thinly. Even if it seems like it will save you money, a thin sealcoat won’t provide enough protection, and it won’t last as long as it should. In contrast, a thicker coat will provide more protection and last much longer. Professionals recommend applying two coats at least 24 hours apart to ensure proper coverage.

3. Applying Sealcoat Too Frequently

While sealcoating provides excellent protection for your pavement, you don’t want to apply it too frequently. A commonly held misconception is that sealcoating should be done every year. However, sealcoating too often can cause a buildup of the sealant, leading to unevenness and potential damage. It’s best to apply sealcoat no more than once every 2-3 years, depending on your pavement’s condition.

4. Ignoring the Weather Forecast

Sealcoating is best done during sunny, warm weather. If you sealcoat your pavement during damp or rainy conditions, the sealant might not dry properly, leading to patchy application and reduced lifespan. Check the weather forecast before starting the sealcoating process. If you live in an area with unpredictable weather, be sure to have a contingency plan in place in case of rain or excessively cold temperatures.

5. Not Hiring a Professional

Sealcoating might seem like a simple DIY project, but in reality, it requires specific knowledge, skills, and equipment. Hiring a professional sealcoating provider will help ensure that the job is done correctly and efficiently. In the long run, you’ll save money on avoidable repairs or having to redo the job due to mistakes.

Conclusion

Sealcoating is essential to prolong the life of your pavement, but it can be a bit tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. The most common mistakes made during sealcoating include skipping the cleaning process, applying the sealant too thinly or too frequently, ignoring the weather forecast, and not hiring a professional. Be sure to avoid these mistakes to save money, preserve your pavement, and maintain your property’s appearance. If you need help with sealcoating in Lake County, FL, contact Reliable Pavement Maintenance for a free estimate.