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Hot Tips For The Baltimore Sealcoating Summer

Asphalt surfaces take a beating during the summer heat. With a barrage of harsh UV rays and intense heat to deal with, your paved surfaces need ample attention to get through the summer season unscathed. Baltimore sealcoating is paramount, providing your pavement with much-needed protection. However, completing parking lot or driveway sealing in the summer comes with its own unique set of challenges. Here are a few hot tips to ensure your Baltimore sealcoating summer gets the protection it needs.

Why is Sealcoating a Challenge in the Summer?

Contractors typically prefer to perform asphalt sealcoating in Baltimore during the cooler spring season. During the spring, temperatures are much warmer than they were during the winter, but not so hot that issues like flash curing can occur.

Like any other maintenance or repair service, driveway sealing in Baltimore requires good weather to complete. If it’s too cold, driveway sealing products can freeze in place instead of bonding to the pavement. When it’s too hot, asphalt sealing formulas can cure too rapidly, preventing proper absorption and bonding.

For optimal results, Baltimore sealcoating companies schedule service appointments when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit but below 90 degrees. They also pay attention to factors like relative humidity and precipitation. Conditions must be warm and dry for effective asphalt sealing.

How Can Asphalt Companies Beat the Heat to Seal Your Pavement?

Fortunately, Baltimore asphalt sealcoating is still possible in the summer! Summers in Baltimore and the surrounding areas typically reach a high of the mid-80s, just below the upper threshold for asphalt sealing. That said, flash curing can still occur. To overcome this challenge, there are several steps Baltimore asphalt sealcoating contractors can take.

The first is to apply an additional coat. Baltimore sealcoating companies can treat the first flash-cured coat as a primer of sorts. That initial thin layer can stabilize the asphalt’s temperature, preparing it for subsequent coats that will adhere properly.

Another option is to “fog” the asphalt. This asphalt sealing technique involves lightly misting the surface with water. The water will evaporate quickly as it cools the pavement down, creating a fog-like effect. This added step can lower the temperature of the asphalt, preventing flash curing and ensuring proper adhesion of the sealcoating.

Before performing asphalt sealcoating in Baltimore, contractors can also modify the sealer to overcome heat issues. Diluting the sealer with more water, achieving a ratio of roughly 50 percent water and 50 percent sealer. This diluted mix acts as the primer, cooling the asphalt while allowing the emulsion to penetrate the pavement. Subsequent coats of normally prepared sealer will provide additional protection.

What Can I Do to Ensure My Baltimore Sealcoating Lasts?

Driveway sealing in Baltimore goes a long way, but there are several steps you can take during the summer to maintain exceptional sealcoating results. First, make it a habit to keep your pavement clean. Driveway sealing in Baltimore can deteriorate more quickly when a layer of filth accumulates on the surface. Pick up dirt, sweep away debris, and clean up spills promptly.

Another way to protect your Baltimore asphalt sealcoating and pavement is to redistribute weight. Avoid parking in the same exact spot every day. The summer heat can soften your asphalt, resulting in the formation of sunken spots. Redistributing the weight can help prevent issues from developing.

Finally, conduct regular inspections and address all repairs as soon as damage occurs. Even with sealcoating, your pavement isn’t immune to issues. Timely repairs and inspections from skilled contractors will help you provide the care your asphalt pavement needs.

Apex Asphalt Services is eager and ready to handle all your parking lot and driveway sealing needs! We have over a decade of experience serving clients just like you. We’re experts in asphalt sealcoating in Baltimore, protecting commercial and residential services throughout the Tristate area of Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. No matter your needs, we promise to deliver remarkable results while providing reliable customer service you can count on. We’re available for driveway sealing, parking lot maintenance, asphalt repair, crack repair, sport court installation, striping, and more.

Give us a call today to learn more and get your free quote. You can reach Apex Asphalt Services by calling (410)593-1521, emailing hunterwiggins@apexasphaltservices.com, or submitting your information through our online form.