Frequently Asked Questions about Sealcoating

How did you get your name?

Our name comes from the Alaska Blackfish. Just like our sealcoating, the hardiness of the Alaska blackfish is of mythical proportions. The fish has been know to survive extrmely harsh winters where the water temperatures drop to 0 °C (32 °F), including tales of reviving fish after they are frozen solid.

How do I pick a contactor?

Select a contractor known for high quality work such as a member of the BBB or Chamber of Commerce in your area. Check their insurance coverage. When receiving more than one bid check to make sure all bids are for the same services such as two coats sealing application by squeegee. Then compare and choose the right contractor for your specific needs. Make sure references are at least 1 year old. Newly finished projects will always look good.  Insist on a written contract or agreement with details such as number of coats, application method, and hot or cold crack filling. A good contractor will have this on his estimate.

Are you wasting your money and possibly shortening the lifespan of your asphalt by sealing every year?

Yes. Sealing your asphalt too much can cause many problems. Sealer applied annually tends to crack and flake after about 10 years of annual applications. It may even crack the surface of the pavement. Other problems caused by over sealing are tracking and creating a slippery surface.

Surface cracks always seem to come back, so why should I bother filling them?

Inexperienced or unethical contractors will shy away from filling cracks. It is important to fill cracks in climates that have freezing temperature, with a quality, usually hot applied product before sealing. Even after sealing unfilled cracks will allow water in that can damage the pavement and possibly the base under the asphalt causing costly repairs.

Can I save money by doing it myself?

When thinking about sealing your pavement yourself, stop and consider all costs involved. Sealer by the pail costs 4-5 times more at home improvement stores and is not the same quality as properly mixed commercial sealer. Tools available to homeowners are expensive and do not perform the task properly .

Proper cleaning is a major component of a good sealcoating job. Professional blowers and possibly oil spot primer is a must. A leaf blower or a garden hose will not do the job properly. Figure on ruining a whole outfit from your shoes to your shirt and gloves. On average this will take you 4 to 5 times longer than a professional to complete. Plus it is highly doubtful that you could do half as good a job. By today’s rates, most professionals will only be a few dollars more than doing it yourself if other things like crack filling, which you cannot do yourself, are needed.

Should sealer be applied by spray or squeegee?

Here is another reason you should rely on a professional. They will come up with a solution to meet your specific needs. There is no “one size fits all” method of sealcoating. A true professional will determine the process based on age, degree of deterioration, climate, expected use, budget, and how many coats are already on the pavement and suggest the method best for your pavement. It can be one method or the other or sometimes both.

 

• Squeegee or Spray Application
• Asphalt Repair
• Line Striping
• Hot Pour Crack Filling

Blackfish Sealcoating & Striping | 404 N. Elizabeth St. | Spencerville, OH 45887 | (419) 647-4010