Once the asphalt cracks, water and/or car fluids can seep in and create pools of water underneath the surface. This will lead to more cracking and further damage. Sealcoating will protect against fading, and can even improve the appearance of your asphalt.
Is asphalt sealcoating necessary? Yes, it is a necessity as you need to protect your valuable asset. If you want your driveway to last, sealcoating is the way to go. Unprotected asphalt leads to cracks and potholes that can severely damage your foundation.
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 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.
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 we still recommend those with cracks developing try to get their asphalt seal coated before it gets too cold, spring is really the best time for seal coating. It means your driveways and parking lots look great for the entire year, and warm spring weather is the perfect temperature for a well-set coat.
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. It is not flexible enough to fill a crack without re-cracking and it does not have adhesion quality's that Asphalt Crack Filler has.
Rain and Sealcoating
Sealcoating application and drying do not pair well with rainy or even misty conditions. Rain prevents the coating from drying. Depending on how heavily the rain falls, it could also wash away the sealcoating from the surface before it has had enough time to dry.
It can take at least 24 hours for the driveway sealant to cure completely but if you give it 4 hours to dry it should be able to resist the rain and any possible damage that could occur.
When applied under ideal conditions, you can walk on a sealcoated pavement three hours after application. But if you want to drive on it, then you have to wait a minimum of 12 hours for it to dry and cure.
There Are Cracks or Holes in the Surface
Another sign that your driveway needs to be sealed is cracks or holes in the surface. These can be caused by several things, such as tree roots, weather damage, or normal wear and tear. If you notice any cracks or holes, it's important to have them repaired as soon as possible.
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.
Sealcoating involves applying a liquid sealant over your existing asphalt pavement to seal the surface and fill cracks. The process protects the sublayers and foundation from the elements and delays driveway replacement.
Not sealing your driveway leads to bitumen loss which leads to water penetrating down to the base causing it to fail which in turn causes potholes and cracks. Once the cracking and pothole cycle begins it's very difficult or impossible to stop.
Before applying seal coating, the driveway needs to be cleaned and power washed. Any stains from oil, transmission fluid, or other substances must be cleaned away.
Asphalt that has been sealed should not be slippery once the sealant has dried. However, if the contractor does not mix the sealcoat properly, it can indeed make the surface slick, particularly if the pavement is wet. When preparing to apply the sealants, the product is mixed with water, sand, and additives.
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.
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.
Driveway sealant should only be applied in dry conditions. Rain, high heat and sun can prevent the sealant from curing properly. Remember once the sealant has been applied, you will need a minimum of 4 to 8 hours before it will be able to repel rain.
Filling Cracks
As we noted above, filling in cracks costs between $1 and $3 per linear foot. However, a professional will charge a minimum service fee to diagnose and repair asphalt driveways. And so, you'll pay an average of $100 to $400 for crack repair on your whole driveway, depending on the severity.
Fill any cracks that have appeared and have a professional team come and sealcoat your asphalt. This will help protect it during its adolescence and elongate this period as long as possible. Sealcoating is a standard part of maintenance and should be performed every 3-5 years.
No. Asphalt sealer is a preventive measure. It's not designed to fill cracks and potholes. As the name suggests, its purpose is to seal the surface of your asphalt pavement.
During initial application, the asphalt should still be at least 220 to 290-degrees Fahrenheit. If the asphalt dips below approximately 185-degrees Fahrenheit before compaction is complete, its consistency stiffens up too much to finish the job properly.
Pavement sealers are best applied when the temperatures are a MINIMUM of 55 degrees and RISING and do not fall below 50 degrees for 48 hours after application. This allows ample cure time for the pavement coating.