Asphalt sealcoating in West Virginia is a crucial maintenance service that makes a big difference throughout the life of your pavement. Properly applied and cured asphalt sealer shields your paved surface from the effects of rain, shine, snow, chemicals, regular wear, and more. Sealers can prevent oxidation, avoid premature deterioration, and help mitigate damage. Driveway sealing costs are a small price to pay for the long-term benefits they provide. The best time for asphalt sealcoating in Parkersburg, WV is during the spring and summer, but is it possible to get this service during the winter?
Why Is It Better to Schedule Sealcoating in West Virginia During the Warmer Months?
While it’s possible to schedule asphalt sealcoating during the winter, it’s not ideal. Let’s first explore why asphalt sealcoating companies prefer to complete sealing projects during the spring and summer. Asphalt sealcoating is a relatively simple process, but it requires careful planning, proper surface preparation, and adequate time to cure. The curing process, in particular, is crucial for achieving the best results.
Asphalt sealers contain water, asphalt, and an emulsifying agent. Once applied to clean and dry pavement, the water in the asphalt sealer formula must evaporate to ensure that the other components form a tight bond with the surface. This evaporation process can take up to 24 hours, and sun exposure, warmth, and wind are key to facilitating this evaporation. Therefore, the warmer conditions of spring and summer are perfect for sealcoating. During these seasons, fewer hurdles exist, ensuring great results for the driveway sealing costs you pay.
Experienced asphalt sealcoating companies always monitor the weather forecast closely before and throughout the curing period. Even in warmer months, they avoid providing sealcoating services on wet or rainy days to ensure the best results.
What Challenges Exist for Winter Sealcoating in Parkersburg, WV?
Now that you understand the process, consider the challenges posed by winter in West Virginia. The state often experiences heavy snowfall and temperatures that regularly dip below freezing. Even a skilled asphalt sealcoating company cannot perform sealcoating services during the worst of winter. Asphalt sealer will not cure if there’s ice or snow on the pavement. Furthermore, snowfall or other forms of precipitation can interfere with the curing process, causing the sealer to fail, which may result in peeling and a messy finish.
What Are Ideal Environmental Conditions for Asphalt Sealcoating?
While winter sealcoating isn’t recommended when there’s snow or ice, it’s still possible to apply sealer under the right conditions. Most asphalt sealers require ground and air temperatures to be at least 50°F to cure effectively. In West Virginia, this means you can still schedule asphalt sealcoating early in the winter season before temperatures dip too low.
Sealcoating professionals also consider factors such as humidity, wind, and sun exposure. Most products perform best when humidity levels are less than 50–60%, and a gentle breeze can help with curing. As for sun exposure, it’s ideal for the pavement to get several hours of direct sunlight. While some areas of your property may be shaded, sealcoating can still cure under cloudy conditions, but it may take longer.
How Do Skilled Contractors Perform Wintertime Sealcoating in West Virginia?
If you need to seal your pavement in the winter, it’s crucial to work with an experienced asphalt sealcoating company like Exterior Property Maintenance LLC. Reputable contractors will never attempt to provide sealcoating services when conditions are unsuitable. Doing so can lead to poor results and wasted time and money.
During the winter, asphalt sealcoating companies carefully monitor the weather forecast and choose a block of days with ideal conditions for curing. They often adapt their approach to account for a lower sun position, fewer daylight hours, and other challenges. Contractors may apply the sealer earlier in the day to maximize sunlight exposure. Additionally, they monitor the curing process to ensure the sealer bonds properly and provides long-lasting protection.
Why Choose Exterior Property Maintenance LLC for Your Asphalt Sealcoating Needs?
Exterior Property Maintenance LLC is your trusted partner for asphalt sealcoating in Parkersburg, WV, and surrounding areas. Our team has years of experience with asphalt maintenance, and we specialize in applying the best asphalt sealers on the market to ensure a sleek, long-lasting finish for your pavement. We understand the unique challenges of sealcoating in West Virginia and take every precaution to guarantee success.
In addition to sealcoating, we offer a wide range of services to meet all your asphalt paving needs, including new paving, resurfacing, asphalt repairs, crack repair, snow plowing, gravel hauling, and more.
Reach out to Exterior Property Maintenance LLC today to get a free estimate for asphalt sealcoating or any of our other asphalt services in Parkersburg, WV!
Exterior Property Maintenance LLC
304 - 916 - 6117