In general, the best time for asphalt sealcoating in Houston is during the summer, but this work can be done any time. The height of the hot season offers ideal temperatures and weather patterns for sealcoating asphalt.
Houston summers tend to stretch beyond the usual months of the season, and there are plenty of days between March and October where conditions are ideal for sealcoating. However, the busiest sealcoating months in the Bayou City are July through September.
Why Can Summer Be the Best Time for Asphalt Sealcoating in Houston?
Temperatures and weather conditions are the two most important factors for sealcoating, and in Houston those factors line up well during the hottest stretches of days on the calendar. Here’s why:
- Temperature – Asphalt sealcoat does not cure well when temperatures are too low. The exact threshold temperature varies from one manufacturer to another, but no sealcoat product is designed for temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Some asphalt sealant products need temperatures in excess of 55 degrees to set properly.
This temperature minimum applies to both air and ground, so sustained warmth is needed to support asphalt sealcoating services. In Houston, sustained warmth is no problem during the summer. - Weather conditions (rain) – Water is the enemy of asphalt sealcoat, especially when the sealcoat is first applied. If rain falls on sealcoat before it has a chance to cure, it may wash it away in spots, leaving a blotchy, uneven appearance. If the property floods during sealcoating, it may ruin the entire process and force a complete reapplication.
As such, asphalt pavement contractors schedule sealcoat service for days when there is no rain in the forecast. While heavy rains are a threat in Houston year-round, conditions are driest during the middle and late summer months.
Sunlight – UV radiation does damage to asphalt pavement, but it is essential for curing sealcoat. It takes up to eight hours of direct sunlight to cure newly applied asphalt sealcoating, so during the summer, when there is plenty of sunshine to go around, so pavement crews can cure a patch of sealcoat in a single day.
If all of the above lines up in the weather forecast, the time is right for scheduling those asphalt sealcoating services.
Three Reasons Houston Business Owners Sealcoat Their Asphalt Pavement During the Summer
Summer is a popular time for sealcoating asphalt paving, partly because of the conditions and partly to prepare for the fall, winter, and spring. Here are three reasons this is a good idea:
- The weather turns wet during Houston’s fall months – Dry conditions typically prevail from July to September, but the city often receives a bout of rainfall in October and November. Commercial property owners who put the job off until the fall may have trouble scheduling their sealcoating services.
- Once it cools down, it is difficult to perform asphalt maintenance or repairs – It never stays cold for long along the Gulf Coast, but it routinely drops below 55 degrees from December to February. That is enough to interfere with asphalt sealcoating.
- Once it warms up in the spring, the clouds (and rain) return – Between December and May, Houston experiences about 70 percent of its cloudy days. You can think of this as the city’s cloudy “season,” in other words. That is a problem for asphalt sealcoat, as it needs UV energy to cure properly. If there are a lot of clouds in the weather forecast, it will slow down asphalt sealcoating efforts.
Four Benefits of Sealcoating Asphalt Pavement in Houston
The summer is the season for sealcoating in Houston, but the benefits of the process last around the calendar year. Here are four reasons why property owners invest in professional sealcoating services:
- Improved pavement durability – Asphalt sealcoat provides an additional layer of protection for pavement. In this way, it acts like a protective coating of wax, holding the surface aggregate together and stabilizing the top layer of asphalt. This improves the asphalt’s surface integrity and makes it more resistant to impact and wear damage.
- Improved resistance to weather – Once water intrudes into the pavement – typically through cracks and other surface flaws – it’s only a matter of time before the asphalt’s condition deteriorates. Asphalt sealcoating helps prevent cracks from forming and protects against UV radiation, which can accelerate weather-related damage. This can reduce the impact of weather on the pavement.
- Improved surface texture and road performance – Asphalt sealcoating restores the pavement’s surface texture, leaving it with a smooth, even finish. This may improve motorist performance while driving over the surface – an important consideration for parking lots or loading areas with heavy traffic.
- Improved asphalt appearance – Asphalt sealcoating also restores the pavement’s color to its original rich black. As a result, it will look like new asphalt, no matter when it was first installed. People respond well to fresh asphalt, as it improves the property’s curb appeal and attracts additional business.
Asphalt sealcoating services in Houston are recommended every 18 months or so, though the exact timeline will vary depending on how much traffic your pavement receives and recent weather patterns. In Houston, heavy rainfall and extreme temperatures can stress asphalt pavement, so it is recommended that property owners schedule annual pavement inspections to ensure their asphalt is maintained on schedule.
The Best Time for Asphalt Sealcoating in Houston is Whenever the Asphalt Professionals are Available
Expert pavement teams in Houston sealcoat asphalt almost year-round. In the Bayou City, it is warm and sunny enough to handle the process from March to October – as long as the weather cooperates – and asphalt pavement teams are busy this time of year with asphalt maintenance.
If it is time for your asphalt to receive a round of maintenance, a reputable Houston pavement contractor can provide efficient asphalt sealcoating services and ensure your parking lot, street, or other piece of pavement is ready for the elements.
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