But if you want to drive on it, then you have to wait a minimum of 12 hours for it to dry and cure. If it's overcast or if rain is in the forecast, then the drying and curing process will definitely take much longer. For optimum results, we recommend that you use your driveway 48 to 72 hours after sealcoat was applied.
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent. It's usually recommended that you wait 24 to 48 hours for your driveway sealer to dry before you drive on it.
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.
Under ideal conditions, typically we recommend waiting 4-12 hours, and until the first coat is fully dry and cured all the way through the film. In optimal conditions, if the driveway is sealed early in the morning and the entire driveway is in full sun and is fully dry, you may apply a second coat the same day.
Ideally, you should sealcoat once every 2 or 3 years. Make it once every 2 years if your driveway gets a lot of traffic and is constantly exposed to chemicals, snow or oils. Video: How often to seal a driveway? You need to also seal your driveway after every repair.
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.
“Surfaces like asphalt can start to break apart because driving continuously will wear out its structure over time,” Jordan says. Sealing a driveway can mitigate these effects. The benefits include: Appearance: It's satisfying to return to a home that looks tidy and attractive.
The best temperature range for applying sealcoat is between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideal temperatures are those that start around 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning and increase throughout the afternoon.
Rain does not bother the seal-coating. However, the pavement surface needs to be dry when applying the seal-coating.
How many coats of sealer should be applied? Low Traffic such as a typical home driveway, 1 coat is sufficient. Moderate Traffic on a parking lot, 2 coats with a third coat on the entrance and exits. Heavy Traffic 2 coats with a third coat on all travel lanes and roadways.
We recommend cleaning the surface first using a driveway cleaner, which also serves to cool off the surface. Make sure there is no puddled water on the driveway before sealing.
Make sure there's no forecast for rain for at least three days. You want the driveway to remain dry for at least one day before and one day after applying each layer of sealant. Opt for late spring, summer, or early fall to do this project.
In some cases, a residential driveway will only need one coat of sealant. However, if the asphalt sealcoating has never been sealed before, it may take a second coat to give it the rich, deep finish that most homeowners prefer. A second coat may also be indicated if there is some “unraveling” of the asphalt.
Wait five hours after the sealcoat is dry to the touch on a sunny day, then lower a shoe-covered foot onto the edge of the driveway. Remove your foot immediately if the sealcoat feels spongy or tacky. Step fully onto the driveway if your first foot does not affect the sealcoat.
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.
Sealcoating should be applied during daylight hours. Sealcoating at night is not a good idea. By exploring the following common myths about sealcoating, you can gain a better understanding of why sealcoating your business's parking lot should happen during the day.
When Is It Too Hot? Sealcoating manufacturers do not recommend applying sealants if the temperature is above 90 degrees.
Sealcoating will protect against fading, and can even improve the appearance of your asphalt. It will restore the lustrous appearance of the asphalt, even if some natural fading has occurred. It will also fill all of minor surface flaws, giving the pavement a smooth and even appearance.
Oil-based sealers have long been favored for their numerous advantages, particularly their exceptional durability. These sealers can effectively safeguard your driveway for up to four years, depending on the specific product and prevailing environmental conditions.
Industry standards recommend that you wait one year or go through one winter before you seal coat a new driveway. How often should I seal coat my driveway? Industry standards recommend every two years; allowing the sealer to wear away before you reseal the driveway.
Even though the sealcoat is applied in what appears to be a very thin film, what happens many times in extreme heat, is that the heated pavement surface will dry the sealer so fast, that it cannot penetrate, fill the pores of the pavement, and adhere properly.
Using a squeegee is more hands-on, and the workers will know exactly what spots they've hit and what they've missed. They will be able to apply a thicker layer of sealer as well. Ultimately, spraying is better for large areas when time is short, and squeegee is better for smaller lots and a thicker application.
While sealing a driveway can be done with hand tools like shovels and push brooms, it's faster and easier with a few pieces of outdoor power equipment like a string trimmer, blower and pressure washer. It's also smart to wear old shoes, safety glasses, and a pair of gloves you won't mind parting with.
Extends pavement life.
The combined impact of all these things that sealcoating does to a pavement is that it extends pavement life. A well-constructed asphalt pavement can last well beyond 15 years when properly maintained. And sealcoating is an essential part of that maintenance process.