You can typically drive on sealed asphalt after 24 hours. However, we recommend giving it 48 hours, if possible, to be sure.
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.
24-48 hours: To be extra cautious, it's best to wait 24-48 hours before driving on a newly sealed driveway to ensure the sealer has had enough time to dry and cure. 30 days: It can take up to 30 days for the sealer to fully cure and harden.
It's worth noting that the curing process continues even after the surface appears dry. To ensure the proper curing of your sealcoated driveway, it is recommended to refrain from using it for two days. While it is safe to walk on shortly after sealcoating, we advice to wait 48 hours before driving on it.
It is not recommended to drive on new asphalt until it has had time to fully cure. Driving on wet or soft asphalt can damage the surface and create tire marks. It is best to wait at least 2-3 days before driving on new asphalt, although waiting a full week is ideal.
It's important to note that many people often mistake "drying" for "curing", although they are two distinct processes. On average, the total cure time for a concrete driveway is 28 days, but this can be affected by various factors.
If it begins to rain after sealcoating your driveway, it's important to avoid driving on the surface until the rain has completely stopped. This precaution is necessary because the presence of water can interfere with the curing process of the sealant, potentially causing it to come off prematurely.
If you decide to seal a blacktop driveway, you open up a Pandora's box of problems, in my opinion. The sealer is made up almost exclusively of asphalt. The UV rays will attack this thin coating, and it will begin to harden and fail.
Upon completion, we recommend to keep vehicles off for a minimum of 48 – 72 hours. You may walk on the driveway after 24 hours.
Steps for Seal Coating Your Home Driveway
One bucket of sealer will cover 760 square feet with one coat or 380 square feet with two coats. If your driveway is more porous or rough, you will need two coats for maximum protection.
Wait at least 3 full days before allowing traffic on the new asphalt. Since asphalt needs time to harden and cure, usually 6-12 months, your parking lot or driveway will remain soft and pliable until then.
However, driveway sealant is easy to apply, added in just hours via a roller or sprayer. Once evenly applied and coated, it takes just 24 hours for the sealant to completely dry. That means that adding just one more day to the process, you can have a driveway designed to last for decades.
It's not advisable to seal coat in the winter as the colder season will negatively affect the performance of the sealer. The sealer may not bond with the asphalt or will not cure correctly. The temperature also helps the sealcoat to dry — learn how long it takes for sealcoating to dry here.
Asphalt driveways should be sealed once every two to three years, while concrete driveways require sealant every four to five years. Concrete often goes unsealed due to a mistaken belief that it doesn't require a sealer. Not sealing concrete can shorten the driveway's lifespan as water seeps into the concrete.
You can typically drive on sealed asphalt after 24 hours. However, we recommend giving it 48 hours, if possible, to be sure.
General Waiting Guidelines After Sealcoating
For Walking: Wait a minimum of 3 hours under ideal weather conditions. For Driving: The crucial period is a minimum of 12 hours. However, for the best results, it's recommended to wait 48 to 72 hours before driving on the sealcoated surface.
Wet or dry? A hot, dry driveway above 95° F will dry to fast; the result can be a very uneven finish. 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.
Sealcoating plays a vital role in protecting and prolonging the life of your asphalt surfaces. While the typical lifespan of sealcoating ranges from 2 to 5 years, various factors can impact its longevity.
Commercial grade asphalt sealer is the single most important item to buy for professional sealcoating results. This is true for everyone, whether you are a homeowner who wants to sealcoat your own driveway or you're a grizzled pro who's has been in this business for a decade.
Likewise, when you drive too fast on the pavement with a new sealant, you'll leave some tire marks. Hence, if you can avoid driving fast on your pavement the first few days after you've had sealcoating services, the better, you can avoid making unnecessary marks that may affect the look of your pavement.
Although both types have advantages, water-based sealers' shorter cure time and eco-friendliness make it the better choice in many situations.
Drying Time and Curing Process of Sealed Driveways
Applying driveway sealer is straightforward. Generally, it takes about two days for the sealer to dry completely and two weeks to complete the curing process.