How Midway Asphalt Company Handles Asphalt Sealcoating in Mishawaka
Asphalt Sealcoating is a specialized maintenance procedure that involves applying a high-grade coal tar or asphalt emulsion coating over cured pavement to seal surface voids and arrest binder oxidation. Midway Asphalt Company standard sealcoating package includes complete surface cleaning, power blowing, specialized oil spot priming, hot-pour rubberized crack sealing, and two precise applications of commercial-grade sealer. Midway Asphalt Company uses professional squeegee-and-brush application techniques rather than low-pressure spraying alone, which forces the emulsion deep into the aggregate matrix for superior bonding.
The secret to a long-lasting Asphalt Sealcoating job lies entirely in the initial preparation phase. We start by treating oil spots with a degreaser and bonding primer because uncured petroleum residue will cause the new sealer to lift and peel. Next, we use high-velocity compressed air to remove every trace of dirt and debris from the surface pores. If dust remains trapped in the micro-cracks, the emulsion fails to anchor properly, which leads to premature flaking under tire shear stress.
In Mishawaka, local asphalt faces severe seasonal temperature swings, dropping below freezing in winter and baking under intense summer sun. These extreme thermal fluctuations cause the liquid asphalt binder to dry out, turn brittle, and shed aggregate particles. Asphalt Sealcoating acts as a sacrificial wear layer that takes the brunt of UV radiation and keeps moisture from seeping into the sub-base, which prevents the freeze-thaw expansion cycles that create deep potholes.
Property owners often ask how long they need to keep vehicles off the fresh sealcoat before normal use resumes. We recommend keeping all car traffic off the driveway for at least 48 hours to allow the emulsion to cure completely through evaporation and chemical cross-linking. Foot traffic is fine after four hours, but parking heavy trucks too early can scuff the surface while the lower layers are still hardening.
We apply sealers formulated to resist gas and oil spills, which routinely degrade unsealed residential and commercial parking lots. By locking out water and chemicals, proper Asphalt Sealcoating keeps the underlying stone base stable and eliminates the need for expensive structural paving repairs down the road. For homes and businesses in Mishawaka, Midway Asphalt Company provides Asphalt Sealcoating services.