No matter how much sealcoating sealant you apply, it won’t do any good if you sealcoat your driveway incorrectly. Sealcoating mistakes are often made by homeowners who don’t know what they are doing, but real contractors should avoid these easily.
Here are some sealcoating mistakes that real contractors should never make!
1. Real Contractors Do Not Fail to Clean Up Oils Before Application
If you sealcoat over a driveway with oil spills or old sealer on it, the new sealant will fail to adhere properly. Failure to clean up any oils from vehicles before sealing drives this problem even more quickly, as they can eat through your coating. Clean old sealer off with a de-greaser, oil remover, or high-powered pressure washer. Only apply sealcoat once you have thoroughly cleaned away contaminants.
2. Real Contractors Apply Enough Sealant Onto the Surface
Less sealant on the surface means a shorter lifespan for your sealcoat. If you skimp and apply less sealer than is necessary to cover the entire driveway properly, it will fail within six months or so. This is not a mistake that real contractors make because they know how much sealer must be applied to ensure solid protection from the elements; sealer is not cheap, and it is a waste of time and money to apply too little.
3. Real Contractors Let the Sealer Dry Properly Before Re-coating
Sealer applied to sealcoat that is not dry will peel right off, wasting sealant and time. You need to apply sealer when the surface is completely dry; otherwise, you will end up with a mess of peeling sealer in no time at all. Actual contractors know how long it takes for sealcoating material to dry, so they sealcoat the surface only when it is ready.
4. Real Contractors Do Not Rush Sealer Application
A good sealcoat application will completely cover a surface with sealant; no bare spots or missed areas are allowed. If you rush a sealcoating job and miss a spot, then that spot could end up peeling, too. Real contractors do not hurry, so sealcoat lasts longer.
5. Real Contractors Do Not Use the Wrong Sealer for a Pavement Type
You should always use sealant designed specifically for your type of surface. Using an oil-based sealer on a cement slab will seal the slab, but the sealant will not adhere as well as it should. In addition, oil-based sealers will yellow over time, whereas water-based sealants do not have this drawback and are a better choice for cement slabs. Real contractors know what type of sealer to use based on flooring material to last their sealcoating job.
It’s never too late to make a difference and start doing things the right way. At Action Asphalt, we guarantee that our ‘real’ contracting crew in Stockton, CA, will do everything they can to provide an exceptional customer experience from beginning to end and deliver truly professional results. Let us know what kind of sealcoating service you need, and we will give you a free estimate with no obligation!
