Sealcoating is an important service that only an experienced and reputable asphalt sealcoating company should. Proper asphalt sealcoating impacts your pavement’s durability and longevity, so it’s not something you should attempt to do yourself or trust an amateur sealcoating company to do.

While it looks simple at face value, a lot can go wrong if done improperly. Here are a few common mistakes that inexperienced contractors might make.

Should I Expect an Experienced Asphalt Sealcoating Company to Clean My Pavement?

If the Austin asphalt sealcoating company you hire doesn’t take time to clean and prepare your pavement, consider it a red flag!

Asphalt sealer requires a clean and dry surface for proper adhesion. When an inexperienced asphalt sealcoating contractor attempts to apply sealer onto pavement full of dirt, trash and oil, the finished product will degrade quickly and offer little protection from the elements.

Your sealcoating company should take time to clean every inch of your pavement. Seasoned contractors will use powered brush equipment, clean up the edges, remove vegetation, pre-treat areas with chemical stains and more. Depending on the condition of your pavement, contractors may power wash your asphalt a day or two before sealcoating.

Is It a Good Sign If a Sealcoating Company Uses Tools and Materials I Can Purchase?

Seeing an asphalt sealcoating contractor pull up with products you can purchase at your local home improvement store is never a good sign. While you can easily find sealers at big-box stores, a good asphalt sealcoating company will have dedicated suppliers for premium sealers. They last longer and provide better results.

The same principle applies to application tools. A good contractor will use professional equipment, even on small jobs.

What Happens If an Amateur Asphalt Sealcoating Company Applies Too Much Product?

While sealer formulas vary, most sealcoating projects require a light coat for maximum protection. Generally, trusted contractors apply at least two thin coats with adequate curing between each layer.

Unfortunately, amateur contractors might try to maximize profit margins by applying one thick coat. The problem is that thicker coats of sealer don’t bond correctly. That results in premature cracking and quick degradation, leading to more issues than before.

How Long Should an Asphalt Sealcoating Contractor Allow the Product to Cure?

Another critical error is inadequate curing. An experienced Austin asphalt sealcoating company knows that sealer takes time to cure. The product might dry several hours after application, but it’s not ready for use in 24 and 48 hours.

During that time, your pavement should remain blocked to ensure no one drives or walks on it. If a contractor tries to tell you that your pavement is ready to go in only a few hours, they don’t know what they’re doing.

Should a Sealcoating Company in Austin Be Mindful of the Weather?

Finally, pay attention to how a sealcoating company in Austin works around the weather. While Central Texas has great weather year-round, contractors should not ignore weather conditions when scheduling appointments.

Most sealer formulas need temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit to cure properly. They also do best when the weather is warm and dry. That means no high humidity levels and no rain!

Moisture will interfere with the bonding process and damage freshly applied sealer. The pavement must be fully dry, and the conditions should be good before contractors apply a single drop of sealer.

Don’t leave something as important as sealcoating to the amateurs. When you need this task done right, turn to an experienced Austin asphalt sealcoating company like RDC Paving. We have 20 years of experience serving clients around Austin, and we’ve worked hard to develop an outstanding reputation.

As a trusted asphalt sealcoating company in Austin, we don’t just sealcoat—we ensure optimal results that last, no matter the size and scope of the project.

You can turn to RDC Paving for new asphalt paving, sealcoating, repairs, milling, overlays and more. We also do concrete work, ADA-compliant features, parking lot striping and maintenance.

Call the team at RDC Paving at (512)920-9155 to get a free quote. We’re also available via email at ryan@rdcpaving.com, or you can submit your information through our online contact form.