Tips And Challenges For Hot Weather Application

Marvin Joles III

I know there has been a lot of rain this summer around most parts of the country. Even though we laugh about it, if you have seen the “swimming pool” meme on the Blacktop Banter Instagram this month, then you know what I’m talking about. It really has been brutal. Fortunately, as of me writing this in mid-July, we have had one rain day this week and heat indexes in the mid 90s. Hurray.

Alright, so now that summer has its act together and we can shed a little anxiety in the north about whether we will have that nest egg going into winter, that we need in the sealcoating world up here, let’s get into a functional topic about putting sealer down in the heat of these months.

I’m going to point out some facts and things to remember about sealcoating in the summer that I have learned after 20 years of doing this at Wis-Coat here in Wisconsin, where we see the craziest sways in weather and temperatures anywhere in the country … in my opinion, anyway.

Drying Time: High temperatures can accelerate the drying time of the sealcoating material. This can be advantageous because it allows the sealant to cure faster, reducing the time before the surface can be used again. However, excessively high temperatures can also cause the sealant to dry too quickly, potentially leading to improper bonding or application issues. You may have seen some contractors counter this, by wetting the pavement a little beforehand. I haven’t had to personally do it, but I know it works for them in some areas of the country.

Application Conditions: Sealcoating is typically applied in warm weather because higher temperatures help in the proper curing of the sealant. However, extremely hot temperatures can make it challenging to apply the sealant evenly and smoothly. Contractors need to adjust their techniques and possibly work during cooler parts of the day to achieve optimal results.

Risk of Dehydration: In very hot weather, there is a risk of the sealcoating material dehydrating too quickly before it has properly cured. This can lead to cracks or a brittle finish, compromising the effectiveness of the sealant. Once again, the “wetting” or “misting” of the pavement could help with this.

Surface Temperature: Asphalt surfaces can become extremely hot in summer, especially under direct sunlight. This can affect the temperature of the sealant as it is applied, and may require adjustments to application techniques to ensure proper adhesion and coverage. Some days when we know this is the case, we add a little extra water in the morning at the bulk tank loading site or the yard. It honestly helps it from turning to “mud” in the heat when you are brooming, and it won’t cover well.

Traffic and Usage: Summer is a popular time for roadwork and sealcoating projects due to favorable weather conditions. However, increased traffic and usage during this time can pose challenges in terms of scheduling and ensuring that newly sealed surfaces are protected from premature wear and tear. If you have had a freshly-sealcoated area driven on shortly after application in the high heat, and watched the rock underneath get exposed immediately, it’s heartbreaking. Make sure you have cones, tape, flashing lights, flares, neon signs, whatever it takes to try to keep idiots from driving over your cones and through ribbon like they are winning a race, and ruining your newly completed hard work.

In summary, while summer heat can expedite the drying and curing process of asphalt sealcoating, it also presents challenges related to application, material handling and ensuring the quality and longevity of the sealant. Proper planning, techniques and monitoring are essential to achieve optimal results in hot weather conditions.

As always, if you have any insight or criticisms about this article or anything in it, please feel free to email me at marvin@blacktopbanter.com, and of course, reach out to us at Blacktop Banter on any form of social media. You can listen to the Blacktop Banter Podcast anywhere podcasts are available, and the video versions are always posted to the Blacktop Banter YouTube Channel.

Marvin Joles III, Owner of Wis-Coat Asphalt Maintenance and host of Blacktop Banter podcast. You can listen to and watch Blacktop Banter podcasts by visiting https://blacktopbanter.com