Why Do Elkton Sealcoating Contractors Add Aggregates In Their Application?
Why Do Elkton Sealcoating Contractors Add Aggregates In Their Application?
To produce the best results, experienced Elkton sealcoating contractors will use top-quality materials for your project. However, it’s not the sealer alone that offers protection and beauty. Sealcoating companies must also properly prepare the sealer by adding aggregates. Here’s what you need to know.
What Are Asphalt Sealcoating Aggregates?
In the context of asphalt sealcoating in Elkton, aggregates are simple additives. They’re tiny pieces of hard materials that Elkton sealcoating companies add directly to the sealer, often with a specific amount of water. Sealer manufacturers typically provide precise mixing directions, including proper ratios of sealer, water, and aggregates.
Sealcoating aggregates are similar to other types of aggregates used in paving and construction projects. They add strength and help boost longevity. That said, contractors can’t use any standard aggregates. They must choose materials precisely suited to the thin protective barrier that sealers form after application.
What Types of Aggregates Do Elkton Sealcoating Contractors Use?
Asphalt sealcoating contractors must choose fine aggregates. Aggregate size ratings classify materials by particle distribution using a standard sieve. Because asphalt sealcoating in Elkton involves applying several thin coats to build up coverage, contractors can’t use large chunks. If they do, they’ll poke through the sealer, creating noticeable finishing issues.
Beyond choosing the right size, aggregates for asphalt sealcoating must be free of organic matter, dust, and clay. Sealcoating companies in Elkton must wash and dry the material before adding it to the mix. Furthermore, they must combine it with the sealer at appropriate ratios. Failing to do so can result in a sealer that’s too rigid.
There are two main types of aggregates that Elkton sealcoating companies use.
• Silica Sand: Made of crushed quartz, this fine sand gives the sealer a smooth finish and even texture.
• Boiler Slag: This material is crushed waste from coal plants. It helps deepen the sealer’s color while providing extra grip.
What Benefits Can You Gain When Elkton Sealcoating Contractors Add Aggregates to the Sealer?
So, what purpose do aggregates serve in a sealcoating project? Sealers alone can provide decent protection, but aggregates are a crucial additive that helps strengthen the finished product and provide impressive longevity. Here are a few benefits you can gain when asphalt sealcoating contractors use aggregates correctly.
• Better Traction: Using the right aggregates during an asphalt sealcoating project can make your pavement safer. These additives improve grip for tires and shoes. As a result, drivers are less likely to hydroplane or lose control. Meanwhile, pedestrians have a lower risk of slipping and falling, ultimately helping you avoid liability issues.
• Stronger Bonds: Elkton sealcoating companies also use aggregates to facilitate a stronger bond between the sealer and your pavement. They can prevent premature flaking or disintegration while ensuring better long-term protection.
• Faster Curing: Aggregates can also accelerate curing times. Asphalt sealcoating in Elkton can take 24 to 48 hours to cure. Mixes that exclude aggregates can take even longer.
• Greater Longevity: Overall, aggregates significantly improve asphalt sealcoating longevity. It makes the end product more durable against weathering and wear, providing your pavement with longer-lasting protection and reducing the need for frequent sealing.
• More Attractive Finishes: Sealcoating companies may use aggregates to produce a more even, opaque finish. Boiler slag can deepen the sealer’s color, and all aggregates help to mask tiny imperfections on the surface. It’s a great way to hide minor defects while raising curb appeal.
Why Would Inexperienced Sealcoating Companies in Elkton Leave Aggregates Out of the Final Mix?
Experienced sealcoating companies always use aggregates to strengthen the mix. Unfortunately, amateurs and unscrupulous contractors may skip it.
There are a few reasons for this. The first is to cut costs. Purchasing and preparing aggregates are additional expenses for asphalt sealcoating contractors. Some will leave it out to increase profit margins, but this results in a diluted mix that doesn’t last.
Another reason some contractors exclude aggregates is that they’re not equipped to use them. Once sand or boiler slag is incorporated, the sealer mix requires continuous agitation. Without it, the aggregates will sink to the bottom of the holding tank. Newer sealcoating companies in Elkton may lack the proper equipment to agitate the sealer, so they leave it out, eventually compromising the quality of the work they produce.
When you turn to Apex Asphalt Services, you don’t have to worry about cut corners, rushed jobs, or improper technique. We always use aggregates when sealcoating and prioritize using quality materials. Our goal is to deliver exceptional quality every time, and we never make compromises that could negatively impact your pavement.
We’re a company that works hard to uphold the highest quality standards in the industry. That doesn’t just apply to sealcoating; it also applies to our other services, including asphalt repairs, crack repairs, parking lot striping, pavement markings, parking lot maintenance, sports court installation, and more. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to seal a driveway or a business owner with a sprawling parking lot to manage, you can count on us to meet your needs.
Call Apex Asphalt Services at (410) 688-5357 to request your free quote today. If you prefer, you can also email hunterwiggins@apexasphaltservices.com or submit our online form to get in touch.
