Seal coating allows for a smoother, crack-free driveway, and because smoother pavements extend pavement life by as much as 10% to 25%, you won't have to worry about replacement or repairs for a much longer period of time.
The Drawbacks of Seal Coating
There are some drawbacks to sealcoating, however. One is that it can be messy and difficult to apply evenly. It's also important to note that sealants will not repair significant damage to your driveway; they will only protect it from further damage.
Not sealing it will only make it more susceptible to damage from the elements and other things. Sealcoating can effectively protect your driveway from rain, hail, snow or oil. It will give you a water-resistant surface, protecting you from the elements. Your driveway is also protected from the sun's damaging UV rays.
The most common reasons your asphalt may not be smooth are: Using the wrong aggregate mix. Not enough asphalt to bind the aggregate. Inadequate compaction.
Not Enough Compaction
After hot asphalt is poured over an aggregate mixture, that new surface needs to be smoothed. This is done using either a roller or a tamper. Rolling the surface helps to push the hot asphalt down, so it binds to the aggregate mix, while also helping to push out air bubbles.
Generally, you can expect to seal a driveway every two years. Some homeowners choose to seal asphalt driveways annually, but don't do the same with concrete. Sealing concrete yearly can lead to more hairline cracks, so if you have a concrete driveway, you should consider resealing it every five years.
We recommend that you have your asphalt driveway resealed every 2-3 years at maximum. Waiting any longer could result in faster deterioration of your pavement. And doing it too often (i.e. annually) could result in chipping and flaking.
While slathering seal coat over asphalt in a thick layer can be tempting, a “more is better” approach is detrimental to the pavement beneath. Too much sealer can lead to premature cracking, which will shorten the lifespan of your driveway.
Rain can wash away all of the hard work that you put into your driveway. The sealer will be washed away by the rain if you don't wait long enough for it to dry.
If you're considering Sealcoating your asphalt as well, filling asphalt cracks first is always a better option. Sealcoating is not designed to be an asphalt crack filler, it is made for sealing the surface and protecting it from the elements such as UV light, salts and oils.
Driveway sealing can protect your investment. The bottom line is that sealcoating and proper maintenance for your driveway can prevent small cracks from turning into big ones and keep water from seeping into the base material.
It also prevents water from turning hairline cracks into bigger ones. The aggregate in the mix enhances traction, acts as a wear layer, and fills small cracks. Also, sealcoating gives the driveway a uniform black color.”
While the advantages outweigh the negatives, there are some disadvantages that you should keep in mind before sealing your concrete driveway. Sealant can make the surface slippery. Sealants tend to dry down with a glossy or semi-glossy sheen that can be quite slick, especially when wet.
Applying fresh sealing can also renew and revitalize the look at a driveway that is a few years old but still in good condition. That's why it's a good idea to seal your concrete driveway when you first get it and then to seal it again every couple years.
Sometimes sealcoating isn't the answer. Shallow cracks and constant patching may signal it's time to resurface your driveway. Driveway resurfacing is when you replace the top layer of asphalt with a fresh layer. Driveway resurfacing helps extend the life of your driveway for another eight to 15 years.
Applying two coats of any sealer will dry and create a better finish much better than one thick coat. These sealers are water based, and they cure and form a film primarily during the evaporation of water from the coating. A thin coat will evaporate much faster and create a single uniform layer.
You may walk on the driveway after 24 hours. The sealer will take a minimum of 30 days to fully cure and is sensitive to animal droppings, tree droppings, water stains from irrigation systems, ponding water & tire markings during this time.
Experts recommend that you wait at least three months – weather permitting. It is not unusual to wait up to six to nine months before sealing your asphalt parking lot, especially if you installed it in the fall. A warm summer day, towards the evening, is the best weather to apply a seal coat.
However, asphalt needs to have that soft and flexible nature in the immediate months after the pavement was initially laid to maximize its long-term durability. With about two to three months, the scuff marks will fade and possibly disappear altogether.
Asphalt is composed of sand and crushed stone in a tar binder or matrix. Silicons sand and crushed stone both contain quartz, mica and other reflective minerals. Sun hits all pavement and the tiny reflective minerals on the surface reflect at constantly changing angles as you move producing the visual effe...
Watering down your driveway with a hose on hot days will temporarily harden the asphalt. This is helpful, but not mandatory. If soap suds should appear do not be alarmed, this is a reaction between the diesel fuel found in asphalt and a high chlorine content found in some city water.