Sealcoating in Laredo, TX

Sealcoating is a thin coat of sealer applied over asphalt to protect it from sun, oxidation, water and spills. In Laredo, the sun is the main threat. With a mean daily high of 86 degrees across the whole year and about 74 afternoons at 100 or more, unprotected asphalt dries out, fades to gray and starts to ravel and crack sooner than it would in a milder place.

Timing

New asphalt needs time to cure; HomeGuide says to wait 3 to 6 months before the first seal. After that, it recommends resealing every 2 to 10 years depending on the product and climate. In Laredo, the shorter end is more realistic. Reseal when the surface has gone gray.

Temperature limits

HomeGuide gives a working range of about 50 to 95 degrees for sealing, and notes that fast-dry sealers need temperatures above 75 degrees with humidity below 35 percent. In a Laredo summer, pavement temperatures climb well past that by afternoon, so we seal early in the morning, or schedule spring and fall work when conditions are easier.

Preparation

• Blowing and sweeping away dust and caliche fines
• Scraping and priming oil and diesel spots
• Filling cracks first
• Hand-cutting edges at slabs, curbs and walks
• Blocking traffic until the sealer cures

Dust is a particular problem here; sealer applied over a dusty surface peels.

Sealer types

Truck lots raise a real product question. Coal-tar sealers shrug off diesel and gasoline better, but HomeGuide notes that many places have banned them over health and environmental concerns. Asphalt-emulsion sealers are the greener option and are what most homeowners get, but fuel and oil leave marks on them sooner. We tell you which we would use on your lot and why.

Commercial lots

Lots are sealed in sections so part stays open, and restriped after the sealer cures.

When sealing is the wrong job

Sealcoat cannot hold together asphalt that is already coming apart. Ruts, potholes and wide alligator cracking get repaired first, and if they cover too much of the lot, an overlay is a better use of the money. We say so before quoting a seal job.

Commercial schedules

For managers with several lots, we can rotate crack sealing every year and sealcoating every few years, with restriping after each seal. Spreading the work out keeps any one year's budget manageable.

Residential driveways

On homes, a sealcoat also restores the dark finish that makes a driveway look new. For most driveways it takes a morning to apply, then a day or two to cure.