Seal Coating

What is seal coating? 

Seal coating consists of applying an asphalt emulsion to an existing bituminous surface and then applying an aggregate material on top of the emulsion. Seal coating helps rejuvenate pavements that have become hard and brittle along with helping to provide a waterproof layer.

Seal coating is done in a multi-step process.

Step 1 - The Street Department prepares the streets to be seal coated by doing minor hole patching, street repair and thoroughly cleaning the surface.

Step 2 - An asphalt emulsion is sprayed on the surface of the existing pavement.

Step 3 - A cover aggregate is applied.

Step 4 - The cover aggregate is compacted into the asphalt emulsion using rollers.

Step 5 - Final sweeping of the aggregate.

Street BroomStreet broom used to clean the street surface prior to seal coating. Step 1 - The Street Department prepares the streets to be seal coated by doing minor hole patching, street repair and thoroughly cleaning the surface.

Tack truckDistributor truck applying emulsion. Step 2 - An asphalt emulsion is sprayed on the surface of the existing pavement.

AggregateChip spreader applying the aggregate. Step 3 - A cover aggregate is applied.

RollersRollers compacting aggregate. Step 4 - The cover aggregate is compacted into the asphalt emulsion using rollers.

Step 5 - Final sweeping of the aggregate. 

When and where will seal coating occur? 

The City of St. James Street Department has established an annual street maintenance plan that consists of seal coating each quadrant of town, NW, NE, SW and SE, every 4th year.

This work occurs during the summer months since the ideal conditions for applying seal coat are warm, sunny days.


What to expect when seal coating. 

During seal coating residents and motorists can expect the following:

  • During the patching and prep work, streets, or portions of streets, may be temporarily closed.
  • During seal coating, traffic is restricted until the aggregate is applied. Flag persons are on-site to assist in traffic flow.
  • During seal coating, parking is prohibited on the streets being coated.
  • Parked cars left on the street will be towed to driveways or around the block in the event that they are not moved.
  • Streets will be available for parking after the aggregate is applied and the necessary compaction is complete.