Homeowners need to seal their driveway every 2 or 3 years or as necessary. Keep in mind to never put off sealcoating for more than a year. Otherwise, it will only cost you more. Before sealcoating, it's important to also seal cracks and potholes.
If the product does freeze, do not use it. If the product is protected from freezing and stored in a heated room at 50 degrees or higher, you should be fine. Driveway Sealer should be used within 1 year of purchase.
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.
As many contractors know, concrete sealers like epoxy have a shelf life of up to a year if not opened. If the product appears separated, the sealer has expired and should not be used for work on a garage, masonry, brickwork, or any other concrete project.
When sealcoating is used as part of a preventative maintenance program, it can extend the life of your driveway by up to 20 years on average.
1 reason to avoid sealing is its effect on the surface (per Plasticine House), which becomes quite slick and slippery after drying. The shiny surface may look nice, but you're sacrificing safety. Furthermore, resealing gets expensive because it's not a typical DIY project.
He added that sealing a driveway could yield unwanted consequences: Oil from the bitumen (the black glue that holds the asphalt together) will be tracked into the home, or the sealant could wear away unevenly, making the surface look as if it's peeling.
He says asphalt-based sealer is prone to bacterial spoilage, which actually breaks down the asphalt and destroys the sealer. Contractors can detect such spoilage if they notice foaming of the material or volume expansion, usually indicated by bulging of the container. The sealer may or may not smell bad.
Before applying a new sealer, it's very important that you make sure the old one is completely gone. This is because any old sealer left on the surface of your concrete can impede the effectiveness of the newly applied sealant, preventing proper adhesion to the concrete surface.
Instead of removing a previous solvent-based acrylic sealer try resealing it! You can apply a solvent-based acrylic sealer directly to the concrete without needing to remove the old sealer. First try and remove any visible peeling and flaking and then reseal according to the instructions.
The best time to sealcoat your driveway is during summer when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 first coat of the first time the asphalt is sealed – a squeegee is very effective in getting sealer in all the nooks and crannies of unsealed asphalt – after that coat, sealer ought to be spray applied for maximum coverage and thickness.
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.
Coal Tar based sealers have long been the gold standard for asphalt sealing durability.
APPLYING TOO MUCH SEALER OR THE WRONG KIND OF SEALER
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.
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.
A simple floor stripper or paint and epoxy remover is something you can use to remove asphalt sealer. A caveat, though: you can only use paint and epoxy remover on concrete, metal, wood, and masonry. Do not use this on vehicles and walls as the product could strip the clear coat or paint off.
The Drawbacks of Seal Coating
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. If your driveway is damaged, you'll need to have it repaired before sealcoating it.
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.
If you're sealing an asphalt driveway, use a latex-based sealer. Avoid oil-based sealers because they will likely crack over time. Siloxane and acrylic sealants work well with concrete driveways. It's best to avoid high-gloss, which could make the driveway surface slippery.
How long do I have to stay off the driveway after it is completed? Upon completion, we recommend to keep vehicles off for a minimum of 48 – 72 hours. You may walk on the driveway after 24 hours.
Sealcoating not only extends the life of your asphalt pavement, but it's also an effective way to save money. Unprotected asphalt leads to cracks and potholes which will cost you more in repairs.