Frequently Asked Questions

Weather

Q: It’s warm out, why won’t you provide bids until the Spring?

A: The biggest reason is that we want to ensure our inspections are accurate. With frequent storms still to come, the condition of your pavement can change with every storm. Additionally we don’t even get this year’s pricing in until late Spring. While warmer outside, keep in mind, it’s still the off season and not a good time to do any work or inspections. Contractors that do, most certainly are not providing an accurate inspection.

Q: Why do you stop sealcoating so early in the fall while others keep working?

A: Simply put, we are professionals. The sealer needs a good solid 30 days of warm weather before temps drop. Guys that push it and sealcoat well into October are playing a huge gamble with failure, and one that we dont want too risk with our valued clients.

Striping

Q. How long does the paint take to dry?

A. We use a premium traffic paint that often takes only seconds to dry.

Q. How often should I re-stripe?

A. It depends on traffic, weather, and personal preference. Keep in mind some heavy traffic city streets are painted several times a year.

Sealcoating

Q. How long until I can drive on it?

A. The manufacturer recommends 24 hours, but please let us know if you have specific concerns.

Q. What are the scuffing marks all over my new sealed lot?

A. Those are power steering marks, and are normal as the oil cures. Although dry, it takes up to 30 days for the oil to cure out.

Q. How long after paving do I need to sealcoat?

A. It is recommended to seal new asphalt within the first year after paving.

Q. How do I know I need to seal coat.

A. Typical re-application rates are 3-5 years, however if your pavement is showing signs of oxidation and raveling, now is the time to seal. Be cautious to not over seal. Our expert sales team can give a free evaluation of your pavement.

Crack Seal

Q. How often do I need to crack seal?

A. Since it is very important to keep the base below the asphalt dry, we recommend to seal cracks every year. Keeping cracks sealed will prevent costly repairs.

Asphalt Repair

Q. Why does asphalt fail?

A. 80% of the actual strength of your parking lot is in the dirt road base below the asphalt. 20% of the strength comes from the asphalt. So when your pavement cracks as it will naturally do, cracks left un sealed will allow water to seep into the base and soften it up. When that happens you lose the support that you once had, so when a trash truck or other heavy vehicles drive over the asphalt it will deflect and crack in resemblance to an alligators skin, hence the term “alligator cracking”. This is a base failure and sever cases should be removed and replaced.

Pricing & Bids

Q. I’ve got 3 bids, but they all are much different in cost, why?

A. Consumers need to be wary of any low bid. Often unlicensed fly by night contractors will water down sealer to achieve super low pricing. We recommend choosing a contractor based on their experience level, involvement in the industry, and through professional development, associations, and past references. A legitimate contractor will have no problem providing license and insurance information as well as past clients and jobs that will speak for themselves. Additionally super low bids always come with the line “you get what you pay for”. If its that cheap, you are not getting premium materials or even regular materials. Regardless of the contractor, the fact is, most low bid jobs these days are so far under the contractors cost, that the only one who loses out will be the customer.

Q. I see many contractors advertising so many years in business, yet I have never heard of them?

A. This is another recent scam. Very few companies have been around under the same ownership for as long as they say. Often those companies will add up years of experience of their guys and then claim they have been around that long, which simply is not true. T&N Asphalt Services has been in business for 22 years, all under the same owner.