Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  Or call our office at 541-501-2309.

What is asphalt paving?

Asphalt is used for road surfaces and parking lots. It must be laid down in layers and compacted. Today, this resilient material (a mineral aggregate) covers 94% of the paved roads in the U.S.

When does my asphalt need to be repaired?

Properly constructed and maintained asphalt can last 20 to 30 years. Heavy traffic, oil and gas spills, sub base failure, water damage, droughts, heavy rains, expansion and contraction all conspire to erode and break up your parking surfaces. Sealcoating can double your asphalt’s lifespan. Repairing your asphalt and concrete is not only important for safety and fire code purposes, it also enhances your property value and the impression you make on customers.

What about the cracks in my asphalt?

Cracks can and should be repaired immediately. Cracks in pavement require immediate attention and specialized sealant materials. No matter what the temperature, moisture in the cracks will cause significant damage to your pavement. These cracks become broken up pavement and also erode sub base over time.

What is sealcoating?

Just like painting your house protects your siding from the elements, sealcoating protects your asphalt. The asphalt in your driveway can deteriorate due to exposure from the sun, heavy traffic or oil spills.  The sealcoating process involves spray applying an asphalt or coal tar emulsion to help protect the asphalt from the elements.  If your property requires any patching or crack sealing, these must be done first before the sealcoating takes place.

How often should I sealcoat my property?

Your property should be sealcoated every 3 or 4 years or when it starts to look dry.

What will the finished product look like?

Sealcoating gives your property a uniformly black color. When you examine the surface, however, you will still be able to see areas that have been crack filled or patched due to the different texture of the asphalt. Worn asphalt that has been previously sealcoated has a much smoother appearance than new asphalt that is just sealcoated the first time.

When can I drive on my newly sealcoated surface?

Every situation varies due to the weather, but as a rule of thumb you should stay off the asphalt for at least 24 to 48 hours to allow the sealcoating time to properly cure so that it doesn’t track onto adjoining areas or scuff. Rainy days cause the product even longer to cure.

What type of weather can you apply sealcoating in?

Sealcoating should only be done when the ground temperature is at least 50 and rising. Colder than this and the sealcoating tends not to adhere to the asphalt surface very well.  We do not schedule sealcoating projects when rain is imminent, but if the product is down for 2 or 3 hours before a sudden summer rainshower, the surface has generally set adequately to prevent washing out of the sealcoating.

What type of sealcoat do you use?

We use Special Asphalt Products Resurfacer and Resurfacer XLR8. These high-grade sealers are easy to use and cure to an extremely attractive, tough, wear-resistant smooth surface able to handle traffic within hours after application. All grades of product are manufactured from a special emulsion and embodied with select granular fillers and polymer additives. For special projects with weather limitations and/or specification requirements, our products can be plant-blended for enhanced performance. Our sealcoats are proven performers in a wide range of commercial and residential applications with professional and long-lasting results.