Sealcoating in Wichita, KS

Sealcoating puts a thin layer of liquid sealer over asphalt to protect the binder that holds the stone together. Over time, sun and oxygen dry out that binder, the surface turns gray, and small stones start to loosen. Water then finds its way in. Sealer slows that process. It does not add strength or fix a failed base, so it belongs on pavement that is still structurally sound.

Why it matters in Wichita

Wichita gets both ends of the weather. Summers bring strong sun and an average of about a dozen 100-degree days a year, which bakes the surface. Winters bring a freeze season that runs on average from late October into April, when water in surface pores and cracks freezes and expands. Keeping the surface sealed and the cracks filled limits how much water gets in before winter.

When to seal

New asphalt needs time to cure first. HomeGuide advises waiting 3 to 6 months after installation before the first seal and resealing on a cycle of roughly 2 to 10 years, set by product and weather. A practical sign is color: when the surface has faded to gray and the stones are showing, it is time. Sealing too often can build up layers that crack and peel.

Weather windows

Sealer needs dry weather and moderate temperatures to cure. HomeGuide gives a working range of 50 to 95 degrees, with most sealers needing 12 to 72 hours before cars can drive on them. In Wichita, that usually means spring and fall, plus summer mornings when rain is not expected. We watch the forecast and reschedule if a storm is coming.

Preparation is most of the job

• Blowing and sweeping the surface clean, including dirt along the edges
• Scraping and priming oil and fuel spots so sealer bonds
• Filling cracks first so sealer does not simply sink into them
• Edging by hand along garage slabs, sidewalks and curbs
• Masking or avoiding areas that should not be coated

Skipping these steps is why some seal jobs peel within a season.

Sealer types

Most residential and commercial sealers are either refined coal tar or asphalt emulsion. HomeGuide notes that coal tar resists fuel stains but has been banned in many places over health and environmental concerns, while asphalt emulsions are considered more environmentally friendly but stain more easily from gas and oil. We tell you which product we plan to use and why.

Commercial lots

Larger lots are coated one area at a time, leaving parking available elsewhere, and restriping follows once the sealer cures. Because sealing covers the old lines, it is also a good time to review the layout and accessible spaces.