An effective asphalt maintenance program can dramatically increase the life expectancy of your pavement. The two maintenance procedures that asphalt paving companies consider critical are the timely repair of cracks and the periodic reapplication of sealcoating. These procedures are especially important when you are preparing your asphalt pavement for the arrival of winter weather. Fortunately, a reputable sealcoating contractor can usually handle both processes for you.
Asphalt Sealcoating & Winter Construction
Why Is Winterizing Asphalt Pavement Important?
Regardless of the season, you need to repair any breaks in your asphalt pavement to prevent water from reaching the foundation. Water penetration leads to foundation erosion and destabilization, and the weak foundation will lead to additional cracking, potholes and other severe damage that can be costly to repair. However, if water penetrates and then freezes, the expansion of the ice will exacerbate the damage.
Although it is true that Central Texas does not face the severe winters that are common in many other states, temperatures can still drop below freezing. For example, in Austin, the temperature falls to freezing or below an average of 19 times every year. When you add in the fact that precipitation levels are fairly even throughout the year, it is easy to see the potential for damage to asphalt pavements during the winter months.
Can Sealcoating Contractors Apply Sealant During the Winter?
Below are the conditions needed for a successful sealcoating application.
• Air and surface temperatures must be 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• Temperatures should be expected to increase throughout the day.
• Temperatures must remain above 50 degrees for the first 18 to 24 hours.
• There should be no precipitation forecast for at least 24 hours following the application.
• Other factors that contribute to a successful job, including the relative humidity and wind speeds, should be favorable.
If you are familiar with the winters in Central Texas, you probably realize that there are some days on which all of these conditions might occur. However, the weather is prone to change quickly, so there may only be a single, isolated day for the contractor to complete the job. Most reputable asphalt sealcoating contractors would not consider tackling a large project that would require multiple days to complete. Additives can sometimes allow sealcoating when conditions are marginal, but there are many winter days on which even the best additives cannot ensure quality results. However, only your sealcoating contractor can advise on whether it is possible to apply a sealant on your particular pavement on any given day.
Who Is the State’s Leading Sealcoating Contractor?
Every year, Alpha Paving applies more gallons of sealcoating than any other contractor in the state of Texas. We are a full-service asphalt maintenance and paving company with impeccable references and an outstanding reputation. In addition to sealcoating, we offer asphalt paving, parking lot maintenance, asphalt overlays, street maintenance, parking lot striping, asphalt milling, concrete installation and repair, road construction, pavement marking, and asphalt repair. We also install parking lot signs, speed bumps, and car stops. Our satisfied customers include numerous retailers, municipalities, shopping centers, apartment complexes, subdivisions, hotels, churches, HOAs, educational facilities, hospitals, airports, office parks, industrial facilities, and restaurants. If you need exceptional quality at an affordable price, you can count on Alpha. Call 512-677-9001 or complete the online form to request your free quote today.