How to pick quality asphalt sealcoating products is a question every contractor should ask.
With so many brands and types of asphalt sealers on the market, it can be challenging to find products that are both high-quality and long-lasting.
In this blog post, our asphalt sealcoating product experts at B&E Seal Coat Products will explain what characteristics you should always look for in sealcoating products.
For more information on what products are best for your company and region, we recommend contacting an asphalt and sealcoat supplier near you.
What to Look For in Asphalt Sealers
- Quick Drying
The best quality asphalt sealcoat products dry between 3 and 4 hours.
Since you need dry weather to apply asphalt sealcoating, finding a quick drying product is important.
Depending on the product you get, asphalt sealer can take between 30 minutes and 24 hours to dry.
Drying times for sealcoating will also depend on the weather conditions that day.
Sealcoating dries faster in dry warm weather.
- Long Lasting
For Michigan, you’ll want to look for a product that lasts between 2 and 3 years.
Keep in mind that how often you’ll need to sealcoat asphalt pavement will depend on your region.
For example, parking lots and driveways in Michigan will need to be sealcoated every 2 to 3 years to prevent damage from harsh freeze-thaw cycles, rain, snow, and sleet.
- Used by Airports
Airports use the highest quality sealcoat products because they have to be able to stand up to airplane fuel spills.
If you get airport grade sealcoat products, you should have no worries about whether it’ll be able to resist fuel spills from cars.
- Used by Clients with High Traffic Parking Lots
It’s easy to check out a product online before you buy.
While anyone can post an online review, you’ll want to pay attention to reviews concerning high-traffic areas like mall parking lots.
If the sealcoat is able to stand up to hordes of shoppers during the holidays, it will be durable enough to keep your customers happy.
What to Avoid in Asphalt Sealers
- Coal Tar
Did you know that many cities and states have already banned coal tar sealcoating?
Coal tar pavement sealcoat is resistant to rain, snow, UV rays, and automobile fluids.
However, it also increases risk of cancer in humans.
As these asphalt sealants deteriorate, they release coal tar particles into the air where they are breathed in or tracked into homes.
Runoff from parking lots and driveways sealed with coal tar products can also contaminate local waterways and harm delicate ecosystems.
- Slow Drying
You need dry weather for sealcoating, which is why you should avoid sealcoat brands that take a long time to dry.
- Shiny When Dry
One of the most obvious signs that a low-quality asphalt sealer has been used is if the asphalt pavement looks shiny after it dries.
After the sealcoat layer dries, the pavement should be a rich matte black color.
Pavement that looks glossy after sealcoating dries will quickly deteriorate.
B&E Seal Coat Products Inc. is a Grand Rapids sealcoating supply company dedicated to helping contractors prepare for the next job.
We manufacture and distribute Safe Seal, which is safe for both the environment and humans.
If you are interested in browsing our inventory of asphalt sealcoating products, give us a call at (616) 608-6169.
