Frequently Asked Questions
Q) What type of sealer does Dependable Sealcoating use?
A) Brewer CoteŽ is a 100% coal tar emulsion pavement sealer. Unlike the asphalt it is designed to protect or pavement sealer made from asphalt, coal tar emulsion pavement sealer resists oxidation from the sun and spills from gasoline and oil. The finest coal tar product available for our applications is Brewer Cote. We also follow a strict mixture of washed silica sand and a latex performance enhancer. The sand makes for a more durable surface and adds traction, the latex helps the sealer dry faster, harder, and blacker. The latex additive is expensive. A lot of contractors skip this ingredient. Dependable Sealcoating never does.
Q) Are there different types of sealer?
A) Yes. There is coal tar emulsion, a byproduct of the steel coking process, asphalt, a petroleum product, and asphalt emulsion, a combination of the two. Coal tar emulsion is by far the most durable. Coal tar emulsion will resist gasoline, oil and other fluids that may leak from an automobile. Those same fluids are solvents for asphalt.
Q) Is coal tar harmful to the environment?
A) Please visit this website for the facts: http://www.truthaboutcoaltar.com/.
What happens if it rains after a sealcoating application?
A) Dependable Sealcoating subscribes to a premium weather forecasting service that provides us with the most advanced tools to make an informed decision on whether or not to sealcoat your driveway or parking lot. However, as you know, forecasting the weather is at best an educated guess. Typically, in less than an hour rain will not harm the application. In the event that it rains and does wash away some or all of the sealer we will provide another application free of charge.
Q) How soon can I seal coat freshly laid asphalt?
A) As soon as the asphalt is laid a chemical reaction takes place and it begins to oxidize. When some of the light oils leave the surface it can be sealed. A simple test will tell when it is ready for asphalt sealcoating. Spread some water on the surface. If the water spreads evenly without beading and shows no "rainbows" from surface oils you are ready. This is called a "water break test". It usually takes about 90 days. We suggest twelve months.
Q) How often should I seal coat my asphalt?
A) Every one to three years. Many factors must be considered including the amount of traffic and exposure to deteriorating elements. Too much sealer is detrimental. Sealer buildup will cause "mud cracking", surface cracks throughout the pavement.
How much does it cost?
A) Our sealcoating only costs pennies per square foot.
Q) How long does it take to dry and cure?
A) Drying and curing are two different terms. It is very important to understand the difference. Under normal conditions the sealer will dry to the touch in about an hour. The curing process will take about 24 hours. These times will vary based on temperature, humidity and the amount of direct sunlight the area receives. Under most circumstances normal use can resume after 24 hours.
Q) How long should my asphalt last?
A) The cost of replacing non maintained asphalt costs seven times what it would cost to maintain the original asphalt. A properly maintained asphalt pavement will last up to three times longer than an unsealed pavement. This can amount to thousands of dollars, even for small parking lots or small driveways. A properly installed, well maintained asphalt surface should last 20 years.
Q) What type of crack filler does Dependable Sealcoating use?
A) For commercial use we use a hot applied rubberized sealant. This product works best but does present the possibility of tracking. For residential projects we use a cold pour product that blends acrylic copolymers and reinforcing fillers specifically designed to ouperform traditional asphalt based crack fillers. This product is sold only commercially and is not available at home improvement centers.
Benefits of Dependable Sealcoating
