Frequently Asked Questions

Asphalt maintenance involves preventive and corrective measures designed to preserve and prolong the life of asphalt surfaces. Proper asphalt maintenance includes sealcoating, crack sealing, asphalt/pothole repair, line striping and resurfacing. Proper maintenance prevents costly repairs, enhances safety, provides traffic control, and maintains the aesthetic appeal of the pavement.

Maintenance frequency depends on traffic, climate, and surface condition. In our geographic location, sealcoating is recommended every 3-5 years, and significant cracks should be filled as they appear to prevent further damage. Webbed and heavily cracked portions of asphalt, along with potholes should also be addressed on an as needed basis.

The time required varies by project size and scope. Small repairs like crack filling can take a few hours, while larger tasks like sealcoating, milled repair or resurfacing may take 1-2 days.

If you decide to use our asphalt maintenance services, we will work alongside you to determine a date and time that works best for us to complete your project. Once we have an idea on when we will be on site to schedule your work, we will reach out and find a time for us to begin. Please note that weather conditions and asphalt availability are two factors that can cause scheduling disruptions. If a disruption occurs, we will reach out asap to let you know there has been a change in the schedule.

We ask that on the days we are scheduled to be on site to perform work that the area be clear of any obstacles, cars, or anything that can be in the way of our cleaning and product application. Ensuring any sprinklers are shut off and the area for work to be performed is not going to be in use is very important in ensuring quality outcomes.

For crack filling, you can typically use the surface within thirty minutes to an hour after we complete each section. For sealcoating, it’s best to wait 24 hours to allow full curing to take place. If new asphalt is being placed, for most paving jobs, you can walk on the surface within 24 hours and drive on it within 48 hours. However, heavy machinery and large vehicles should be avoided for at least a week.

Sealcoating is the application of a protective coating to the asphalt surface. The goal of sealcoating is to shield the asphalt surface from UV rays, water, oil, and chemical damage – all of which break down the binding agents in asphalt pavement. It also restores the surface’s black color and extends the pavement’s lifespan.

New asphalt should cure for at least 45 days before sealcoating to allow it to harden and for oils to evaporate. We generally recommend sealcoating the following season after new pavement has been placed.

Sealcoating typically lasts 3-5 years, depending on traffic, weather, surface conditions, and sealcoating materials used. Be cautious on frequency of sealcoating, it is possible to ‘over seal’ asphalt – this causes sealer to build up and flake off prematurely. If you have questions regarding if your parking lot or driveway needs to be sealed, one of our project managers would be happy to inspect your asphalt and give our recommendation.

No, sealcoating is a preventive coating applied to structurally sound asphalt. It will fill small hairline cracks and beautify old, worn pavements, but it will not ‘patch’ or ‘hold together’ deteriorated asphalt. Larger cracks and potholes should be addressed separately and generally should be repaired prior to applying a new coat of sealer.

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Yes, it is normal for new asphalt sealer to scuff or show tire marks after application, especially during hot or humid weather. The marks will fade over time as the sealer cures and the surface hardens. This is a natural part of the curing process.

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Yes – once our crew has completed all the work on site, we will flag and barricade the new sealer to prevent traffic from driving onto the fresh sealer. Once the sealer is ready for traffic, customers can remove and dispose of the flagging. If there are buckets or other barricading material left on site, someone from our team will come and collect them.

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Hot rubber crack filling involves using heated, flexible rubberized material to seal cracks in asphalt. It prevents water intrusion, reducing the risk of further damage.

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Cracks between ⅜ inch and 1 inch wide are the target for crack filling. Larger cracks or areas with extensive damage may require patching or reconstruction. For areas that are ‘spider webbed’ (extensive cracking, confined to a specific area or section), crack filling is not the best maintenance option. Instead we should look at removing the deteriorated asphalt and replacing it with new asphalt.

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Hot rubber crack filler typically sets within 30 minutes, once the work is complete, we can open the area up for traffic.

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Clean & Patch and Milled Repair are two approaches to addressing damaged asphalt sections. Clean & Patch is considered to be the ‘economy’ approach to patching – for this, we will sweep out existing potholes, remove all loose debris, place hot mix asphalt in the open holes in the asphalt, then compact.

For Milled Repair – the crews will mill out the designated damaged areas of asphalt to a specific depth, power broom out all millings and loose debris, then place hot mix asphalt in the area to be patched. Once asphalt is placed, we compact all new asphalt with a vibratory roller.

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• Patching addresses localized issues like potholes or damaged areas. The damaged section is removed and replaced with new asphalt.
• Resurfacing involves adding a new asphalt layer over the existing surface, improving its strength and appearance. This is an ideal approach for asphalt that is structurally sound, yet is showing signs of surface deterioration.
• New Pavement is the process of removing old existing asphalt, improving the base aggregate as needed, then placing new asphalt. This is ideal for asphalt that has extensive age, damage, or underlying base issues.

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If the base layer is stable but the surface shows extensive wear or minor cracks, resurfacing is ideal. However, if the base is compromised or there is severe damage, full replacement may be necessary. Our team of professional project managers will be able to provide you with guidance on which option is best.

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Sealcoating is best performed in dry conditions with daytime temperatures near 50°F or above. Extreme weather conditions such as cold, rain, or snow can affect the application process and curing time.

Hot Rubber Crackfilling can be done in cold weather temperatures, as along as surface conditions are dry.

Asphalt Repair and Paving can be completed in cooler temperatures.

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Sun, rain, and freezing temperatures can cause oxidation, cracking, and water damage. Proper maintenance protects asphalt from these elements and prolongs its lifespan.

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Yes, maintaining asphalt reduces the need for complete replacements, minimizing resource use. In terms of sustainability, asphalt is 100% recyclable, with old pavement being reused in new projects, minimizing waste and conserving natural resources. Its dark color aids in faster snow and ice melt, enhancing safety and reducing the need for chemical deicers. Additionally, modern asphalt mixtures incorporate eco-friendly materials, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and warm-mix asphalt, which lower emissions and energy consumption during production.

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