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How Long Do You Need to Stay Off The Driveway After Applying An Asphalt Sealcoating?

One of the primary questions residential and commercial property owners want to know about applying a driveway sealcoat involves drying times. More specifically, property owners want to know how long after an asphalt sealcoat has been laid down can they resume usage.

While some resources offer advice such as “48 hours,” the answer is not that simple. A wide range of products can be employed, and each type of asphalt sealcoat dry time differs. It’s also important to keep in mind that seasonal temperatures and weather can impact how long you’ll need to stay off the driveway after applying a driveway sealcoat. For a more precise estimate, these are things property owners would be well-served to consider.

How Will Rain Effect an Asphalt Sealcoat?

Experienced asphalt contractors are careful to check local weather reports. Should Mother Nature deliver unexpected precipitation, an asphalt sealcoat can be rendered uneven or non-existent. Moisture from automatic sprinklers and other delivery systems can have the same negative effect on a newly coated surface. A driveway sealcoat typically must dry for at least 4-8 hours, depending on the product and conditions. Given the impact water can have on sealants, it’s advisable to stay off the driveway until a contractor can rectify the issue.

How Long Does A Driveway Sealcoat Take To Dry During Summer?

The best time to apply an asphalt sealcoat is during the warm-weather months. This timing should also be factored against regional rainy seasons. Some areas of the country experience fast-moving showers and severe weather during periods of high temperatures. That’s why local driveway sealcoat contractors pay special attention during those months.

That being said, it’s typically wise to take advantage of warm weather days with full sunlight. A sealcoat can dry within a few hours when applied in direct sunlight on a warm day. Depending on the product, property owners may be able to walk on their driveway as soon as 4 hours after the process has been completed. In terms of driving an automobile on the newly coated surface, the soonest advisable usage is about 24 hours. Most surfaces require a minimum of 48 hours before vehicles can drive over them without negatively impacting the work. However, if weather conditions are not optimal, it may be in your best interest to stay off the driveway for at least 72 hours.

When Can a Driveway Sealcoat Handle Everyday Use?

It’s essential for property owners to understand that a significant difference exists between walking, driving, and unfettered use. While a fast-drying asphalt sealcoat product can hasten light usage, most materials take much longer to fully cure. It’s not unusual for driveways to require upwards of 30 days before property owners enjoy carefree usage. That’s largely because asphalt sealcoat products may not have hardened enough to withstand oil and fuel staining. A product that has not necessarily completely cured could be negatively impacted by turning car or truck tires in place or hard impacts. The critical point is that home and business owners would be wise to take precautions during the first month to ensure the surface isn’t compromised.

Driveway Sealcoat Best Practices Make A Difference

For an asphalt sealcoat to effectively dry and cure, best practices must be observed. Temperatures should not generally fall below 50 degrees and driveways must be perfectly dry before applying products. Sunny days with low humidity maximize dry times and support effective curing. Never consider applying a driveway sealcoat if the forecast indicates a rain threat within 8-12 hours. If severe weather has been forecast, it may be prudent to postpone the work. Asphalt sealcoat best practices help shorten the time your driveway will be sidelined.

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Timing, Materials, and Labor Determine Asphalt Crack Sealing Project Costs

No property owner wants to unnecessarily spend more money than necessary when hiring a professional to perform asphalt maintenance. Driveways and parking areas typically require asphalt crack repair every 1-3 years to keep them looking pristine and functioning properly. That being said, the average residential or commercial property owner does not have expertise in asphalt maintenance and repair costs.

Knowing the telltale signs that your surface requires prompt asphalt crack repair treatment and care can be somewhat murky. But by knowing when to reach out to a contractor and how pricing works, property owners can make informed decisions. If you believe your driveway or parking lot may need asphalt maintenance and repair, these are things to consider.

What Property Owners Need to Know About Surface Preparation

It’s not uncommon for everyday people to wait too long to hire a contractor. On the other side of the coin, some property owners pay for asphalt maintenance and repairs prematurely. Recognizing the signs, and getting the timing right, can save property owners money. If you notice any of the following, consider getting a quote.

  • Small cracks seem to be spreading.
  • Stone coloration shows through sealant.
  • Small potholes or depressions appear.

The cost of asphalt crack repair and will largely be driven by the percentage of the defects. Property owners shouldn’t allow cracks to cover more than 30 percent of the driveway and never wait until they have separated to ¼ inch in width. Dealing with this normal reaction to severe heat expansion and cold-weather contraction typically calls for routine asphalt maintenance. This may involve workers clearing away loose debris, cleaning cracks, applying filler before sealants. It’s crucial to make repairs and not allow excessive cracking and damage can shorten the life of a driveway or parking area.

Crack Sealing Material Drives Asphalt Maintenance Costs

The cost of sealing an asphalt surface is significantly less expensive than having to repave it. Asphalt crack repair filler and sealants can run less than $1 per square foot of materials, depending on the region. These costs usually increase year-over-year, and issues such as materials shortages and inflation can cause unexpected spikes in price. But all things being equal, the sealants used for asphalt crack repair are generally nominal. Commonly used material may include the following.

  • Asphalt Polymer Emulsion: This eco-friendly material offers reduced application odors. However, it may offer lower protection against oil and gasoline staining.
  • Coal Tar: This most widely used and cost-effective asphalt maintenance material, it provides significant staining protection.
  • Acrylic: Comprised of acrylic and polymers, this option offers sound resistance to staining and remains environmentally friendly. It does rank among the more expensive materials used for asphalt maintenance and repair.

Property owners that may be impacted by downtime sometimes employ fast-drying asphalt sealant materials. Some products can allow foot traffic to resume in a matter of hours, depending on weather and surface conditions. These materials also offer opportunities for automobile traffic sooner as well. However, the downside involves resealing more frequently.

Manpower Cost of Asphalt Maintenance and Crack Repair

It’s not uncommon for asphalt surface contractors to charge property owners based on square footage, over and against the estimated manual labor involved in surface preparation and material applications. Construction professionals with the knowledge and experience to make lasting repairs are in high demand, and workers typically earn the prevailing wages of a specific area. However, the relatively low cost of hiring professionals to make crack repairs usually outweighs DIY struggles and the high price of repaving.

 

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The Importance of Parking Lot Safety Devices

Proper Lighting Can Greatly Increase The Safety of A Parking Lot

There are many features that you can include to improve parking lot safety. One of these features is proper lighting. Proper lighting makes a parking lot safer for both pedestrians and drivers. With proper lighting, pedestrians can navigate the parking lot much more safely and ensure that they make it back to their car without any problems. Proper lighting also makes pedestrians more visible so that cars can more easily avoid them.

As stated previously, lights make pedestrians more visible and this makes it easier for drivers to drive safely. However, drivers can also avoid getting into accidents with each other if the parking lot includes proper lighting. This is an essential part of any safe parking lot.

Crosswalks Make Parking Lots Safer

Crosswalks are another crucial safety feature that all parking lots should include, as well. Crosswalks make it very clear where pedestrians are supposed to walk, meaning that it is much easier for them to walk through the parking lot safely. Drivers are also safer due to crosswalks, as well.

If you see a crosswalk, you know that people are going to walk through it and you can drive more slowly to accommodate the pedestrians. Additionally, crosswalks make it easier for drivers to notice people crossing the street and, therefore, improve both driver and pedestrian safety. Whoever is building the parking lot will talk to their concrete contractors to see what the legal requirements for crosswalks in a parking lot are in that area.

Bollards Improve The Safety of Parking Lots

Bollards are another feature that makes parking lots safer. To start off, a bollard is a post that is vertical and short and it is made to control the flow of road traffic. Bollards are created to be able to withstand a significant impact from a vehicle and another use of a bollard is as a visual barrier. You will often see bollards in front of the entrance to a building.

This makes sure that a car cannot ram into the building and cause damage. It also ensures that people can access the building by preventing such damage to the entrance. Bollards definitely make parking lots safer.

Speed Humps and Bumps Add to the Safety of Parking Lots

It is also important to ensure that drivers are not going too fast in parking lots. This is because excessive speed in parking lots can prove dangerous both to other drivers and to pedestrians, as well. Speed humps and bumps help regulate the speeds of automobiles driving through the parking lot. You can find speed humps and bumps in a number of different materials. Yellow bumps in the road are one type of speed bump that you will often see in many parking lots.

Parking Curbs and Parking Stops Increase Your Safety in A Parking Lot

A parking stop is a common feature of parking lots. It helps ensure that a driver does not pull in too far into a parking spot. You will see these at the top of parking spots in a parking lot. Parking stops or parking curbs also make sure that you don’t run off the pavement into some kind of road hazard. Parking stops are often painted yellow or white so that they are extremely visible for added safety.

Pavement Markings Are Another Critical Safety Device in a Parking Lot

Parking lots have many different types of pavement markings. You may not even notice some of them because they are so common. Turn arrows, one-way designations, stop lines, and crosswalks are all types of pavement markings. Another common type of pavement marking is a handicapped space designator. The company creating the parking lot will consult with their concrete contractors to see which type of pavement markings they are legally required to have. In any case, pavement markings make parking lots safer for both drivers and pedestrians alike.

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WHY REPAIRING YOUR ASPHALT IN A TIMELY MANNER MATTERS

Many businesses do not include asphalt repair in their maintenance budgets, but they should. It’s incredibly important to fix asphalt potholes and cracks as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. Improved curb appeal, increased safety and longer-lasting concrete result from giving your asphalt the attention it deserves.

CURB APPEAL

What impression does your business asphalt give? Do customers have to navigate several potholes to reach your front door? Potholes are unsightly and inconvenient and make your property look rundown, even if it’s otherwise well maintained.

Often, your client sees the parking lot long before they get inside to form an impression of your products or services. In order to keep clients, tenants and customers content, it’s important to perform asphalt repair as quickly as possible. It will improve the look and feel of your entire property.

Asphalt repair services include the following:

  • Seal-coating
  • Crack filling
  • Pothole repairs

It’s important to work with a reputable business to ensure that the repairs last as long as possible. Additionally, there are things that you can do to keep your asphalt in great shape throughout the year.

Asphalt maintenance tips for owners:

  • Sweep your asphalt pavement several times a year. This prevents gravel from enlarging cracks and holes. It’s also important to perform a self-inspection to determine the severity of defects.
  • Call a local company that specializes in asphalt repairs to seal your asphalt every three years. Sealcoat protects the asphalt from moisture and oxidation. Think of it as sunscreen, which protects your skin from damage, for your business asphalt.
  • Fill in cracks as quickly as possible with the help of a trusted contractor. Repairing and sealing cracks can help prevent them from widening further,

SAFETY

There are also many safety concerns when it comes to cracks and potholes in your parking lot or sidewalks. Customers with mobility issues can quickly trip and fall on large potholes. To keep your clients safe and increase the useful life of your concrete, make repairs quickly.

Unfortunately, many people continue looking through their mobile devices when crossing the parking lot. This can cause them to trip in potholes or cracks and become injured. Large potholes can also damage cars, trucks and other vehicles. Potholes form because there’s a problem with the base of your concrete. To avoid problems with appearance and safety, it’s important to have potholes fixed as quickly as possible.

DIY patch kits can temporarily prevent water penetration and further damage to the asphalt pothole. However, a professional contractor with experience in asphalt repairs can cut out the damaged asphalt and pour in new concrete, fixing potholes from the inside out.

FINANCIAL SAVINGS

Taking care of asphalt repair early can save you money down the road. Potholes allow moisture to sink into the surface of your asphalt, causing further deterioration. On the other hand, fast asphalt repairs can immediately improve the look and safety of your business.

The longer you can keep your current asphalt looking and performing well, the more savings you’ll realize. So, contact a proven contractor to provide an honest evaluation of your next best steps,

Asphalt potholes are a sign that your aging concrete may need replacement in the near future. So, it’s important to pay attention. Therefore, it’s important to get the best asphalt repair along with a professional inspection of your business asphalt.

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How to Fix a Crumbling Asphalt Driveway

If your asphalt is beginning to show signs of wear, age, or disrepair, it is important to repair the issues in a timely manner. If you fail to do so, the problems within your asphalt surface may worsen. What may have started out as a simple fix may turn into a major repair problem. Read on to learn more about the signs of damaged asphalt and how damaged asphalt can be fixed.

Signs Your Asphalt is In Need of Repair

There are a number of signs that your asphalt may give you if it is in need of repair. Some of the signs that your asphalt may need repairs are seeing the asphalt crumble or erode away, seeing cracks in the asphalt, or seeing depressions, holes, or potholes on your asphalt surface. Another sign that your asphalt may need to be repaired is seeing water puddling or pooling on the surface. Water that is puddling or pooling instead of draining away from asphalt can cause crumbling, cracks, and depressions.

How to Fix a Crumbling Asphalt Driveway

If you notice that there is damage to your asphalt surface, such as crumbling, cracking, or depressions, you will want to call in an asphalt contractor who offers asphalt repair. The first thing that they will do is remove any debris from the surface of the asphalt. This involves removing asphalt and aggregate from cracks and potholes. Once that is done, the asphalt surface will be cleaned. Patches and fills stick best to asphalt that is cleaned. If there is debris on the asphalt, such as oil or food, it can prevent the filler from properly adhering. Once the area is free from debris and cleaned, a professional will use a filler to fill in cracks, holes, depressions, or asphalt erosion. Once the filler is in place, it will be rolled so that it is compacted and so your asphalt surface is completely level.

How to Protect an Asphalt Driveway

If you have a new asphalt surface, or if you have just had yours repaired, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to protect the asphalt surface from damage. While you cannot prevent all types of damage, seal coating an asphalt surface helps to prevent cracking, erosion, and potholes and depressions from forming. The surface of the asphalt should be coated after a surface has been installed or repaired, and every two to three years thereafter.

Reasons to Hire an Asphalt Contractor for Asphalt Repair

If your asphalt is in need of repair, you may find yourself wondering whether you can make the repairs yourself or whether you should hire an asphalt contractor to make the repairs for you. While home improvement stores do sell asphalt patching kits that allow you to make minor repairs to your asphalt surfaces yourself, these kits generally do not solve the problem for a prolonged period of time. They may be quick fixes but they do not last. A professional can properly patch or repair your asphalt so the problem is fixed and so your asphalt functions as good as new once again.