Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to seal my asphalt?
A new asphalt driveway or parking lot is very expensive. Replacing one is more than double that price! While properly designed asphalt pavement rarely wear out from traffic, asphalt has two major weaknesses:
1) Asphalt has poor resitistance to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight). Asphalt pavements are a simple combination of rock,sand, and glue which is the liquid asphalt that binds everything together. The UV radiation breaks down the asphlt glue and weakens it to a point that it can no longer hold the rocks and sand together, thus gradually losing the surface (this process is called ravelling).2) Aspahlt also has poor resistance to salts, gasoline, oils and de-icers. Gasoline and oils will dissolve directly into the asphalt and drastically reduce its cohesive properties. This allows water to penetrate through your asphalt and erode your sub-base or wreak havoc during the freeze-thaw cycles.If your driveway or parking lot is gray or always seems to have a film of fine gravel or sand, it is overdue for a sealcoat. A sealcoat prevents sun damage and reduces water penetration. Think of a sealcoat as keeping the good stuff in your asphalt while keeping the bad stuff out. If your parking lot is not raveling, but you can see the different color rocks in the asphalt, you need to seal your asphalt soon. Just like your automobile, your asphalt needs to be on a maintenance schedule or it will cost you greatly in the end.
Why do some companies offer a MUCH cheaper price?
First off, make sure you are not mistaking a one-coat price for a two coat price. In some geographical areas, the paving and asphalt maintenance industry has a reputation of being “shady”. The end result is that the materials they use will not last or will not provide the protection for which they are designed. Don't fall for the ploy of "we just finished a job down the street and have a little left over." If in doubt, check the yellow pages to see if they are listed anywhere. You may never know if you are a victim of these scams or by the time you realize it, the contractor has been paid and possibly even long gone. With Asphalt Doctor, you get what you pay for...top quality products, workmanship and a company that will stand behind them. Click here for examples of bad sealcoating.
Do I need one coat or two?
Two spray coats offer the most durability. Sealcoat is much like paint in that it is best
applied in two thinner coats instead of one thick coat. On new asphalt, we
like to put on two coats- the first by squeegee (to fill the pits and voids) and
the second by spray
Why should I choose the Asphalt Doctor?
Three simple words: Quality, Value, Reputation Please note that we said value, not price. I can almost gurarantee that we will not be the lowest bidder. Also note that we have not had a single homeowner say that they paid too much. We use only the highest quality materials and have an impeccable reputation for our honesty and quality. We know you value your house and landscape, which is why we go to great lengths to prevent mis-applied sealcoat. We don’t try to accomplish two days work in one day, allowing us to give our customers more product where they want it-on the asphalt, not their garage door, concrete, or landscape rocks. Low bidders make their money by watered-down sealer and volume, not quality. Who do you want sealing your asphalt?
What must I do before and after having a sealcoat applied?
Remove all vehicles and objects from the asphalt prior to our arrival.
Turn off sprinkler systems the night before.
Do not wash the driveway right before our arrival!
Do not cut the lawn until the sealer has dried.
Do not apply lawn fertilizers several days prior to sealing.
--We cannot seal if there is fertilizer or other lawn products on the asphalt.
Do not walk on wet sealer.
Keep pets away from sealer!
Stay off the asphalt for the recommended time frame (see below).
If you have any questions concerning before and after care, please call!
What can I do about the cracks in my asphalt?
Over time, asphalt surfaces develop cracks due to oxidation, shrinkage and ground settling. Untreated, cracks allow water to penetrate the base layers,erode the sub-base and makes your asphalt susceptible to destructive freeze/thaw cycles. The best "fix" for cracks is to fill them with a hot applied polymer modified crack sealant. These repairs should last for years, but are usually not permanent. Cracks less than 1/8th inch wide are not usually sealed with hot tar but can be filled for cosmetic purposes. CRACK REPAIRS DO NOT ELIMINATE THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT, BUT RATHER SLOW DOWN THE DETERIORATION PROCESS. Starting in 2008,. we will offer crack routing & blowing, a method that creates a much more successful and longer lasting crack seal.
I have a new driveway. When can I seal it?
New asphalt should not be sealed until it has cured for 30-60 days. Your new asphalt, if laid in the fall, will be okay until spring. For some unknown reason, some people think that they need to wait until their asphalt turns gray before sealcoating. This is incorrect. Would you build a house and wait for the siding to turn gray before painting? If the asphalt has already turned gray, damage has already occured and you need a sealcoat as soon as possible.
What is the best time of year for sealing?
The sealcoating season in Northwest Montana runs from late May through September (depending on weather). Some assume that the fall is the best time for sealing. This is a myth. Anytime during the season is fine, but if your driveway is surrounded by trees, you want to seal before the leaves drop all over the wet sealer. Keep in mind that we usually become “booked” for the season by late August. Many customers prefer their driveway sealed in the springtime so they can enjoy the beauty before being covered with snow.
What can be done about potholes?
Potholes often start out as a series of cracks concentrated in a small area. called “alligatoring”. Not only are potholes unsightly and potentially damaging to vehicles and pedestrians, they allow moisture to intrude into the very base of the asphalt, rapidly increasing the size of the hole as it is driven over. We prefer infrared asphalt repair, but if appearance is less important than cost and the hole is very small, we use a Premium grade cold patch.
Are you insured?
Yes, we are fully insured in compliance with all state and local laws.
How do you apply the sealer?
We utilize the latest spray system technology. Spraying provides the most durable finish. We prefer not to use squeegies or brushes as it removes the sealcoat from the tops of the rocks. If a smooth appearance is important, we can squeegie the first coat and spray a second. If it is very windy, we may opt to squeegie to prevent the sealcoat mist from drifting.
Will you get sealer on my garage or belgium block curbing?
No. We apply the sealer by brush around garages, along Belgium block or any other structure we do not want to spray sealer on. This is called edging. When we do the final spraying, we use blocker boards to protect sensitive areas.
What about the "airport grade" sealer available from the store?
Honestly, everyone that has used these products on a regular basis (a couple applications of this sealer) ends up with a shattered asphalt surface that cannot be repaired. They do not work well at all and will take you an entire day to apply. Wouldn't you rather spend your valuable time enjoying your family at the lake than spreading sealcoat on a hot day?
How long should I stay off my driveway after it is sealed?
We ask that you stay off the asphalt for twenty-four (24) hours. If it is humid or cool (less than 60 degrees F), an additional twenty-fours (24) hours is recommended.
How often should I seal my driveway or parking lot?
To maximize the protective qualities of the sealer, we suggest sealing every three to four years. If you call us for an estimate, and we don't feel like you are due for a sealcoat, we will tell you!
What if it rains after I seal?
Generally, sealer will dry enough to stand up to minor rain within just a few hours.
Will sealer fill in low spots?
No. Sealer is a surface coating not a structural or filler material. See the Infrared page for this solution.
Will sealer smooth out or level the asphalt surface?
No. Compare asphalt sealing to staining or painting a wood deck. When a deck is stained or painted, the wood surface does not change. The same is true with asphalt sealer. In fact, sealer will most likely enhance any minor surface defects that are present (show greater contrast between smooth and rough sections of the asphalt). If smoothness is a priority and you are willing to pay extra, we offer a job that consits of one coat applied by squeegie and the second by spray.
How do I pay for services?
Residential customers are billed for services upon completion (no deposit required). Commercial customers are required to provide a thirty percent deposit with the balance billed upon completion. Payment can be made in the form of cash or check. Cash (greenbacks) discounts may be available.
How do you keep others off my wet sealer?
As you can see in the pictures above, we leave a tape barricade to prevent others from driving or walking on your fresh sealcoat. Sometimes, when there is nothing to attach the barricade to, we will leave a couple weighted orange cones. We will pick these cones up in a couple days, so please don't discard them.
I'm real happy with the job you did. How can I help?
When we finish each job, we leave behind a job site sign. You can help by keeping this sign up for a few days. We don't need these back so feel free to toss these in the trash next time you mow the grass. We also have a feedback page for your comments. Comments will be published at a later date.
Do you have a referral program?
Yes! For each job referred to us (and finished) you earn $25 off your next sealcoat. To get credit, we must be notified of the "referred status" before the job is estimated.
Do you offer paving services?
We do some paving contracting in the Eureka area only. Feel free to give us a call.
Do you offer line striping services? Yes! Generally we only stripe our own sealcoat jobs. Laying out stripes on brand new ashalt is an art better left to full time parking lot stripers.
