Sealcoating anytime after October 31st, the nighttime temperatures fall below 40 degrees. This could cause problems with a water based
Autumn may not be too late to sealcoat, but you may not be able to find someone to do the job. Generally speaking, the seal coating season runs from April 15th to October 31st, which means that many contractors try to book as many appointments as they can, as quickly as they can.
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.
Seal coating should not be done when temperatures are below 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. And you should never seal your driveway in either extreme cold or extreme heat because it will cause the material that has been applied to break down quickly.
Rule of thumb: When it's dipping below 55 degrees F at night it's just not the right time to seal your driveway UNLESS you use our NEW Latexite Therma Seal Driveway Sealer which can be applied in temps as low as 40 degrees F.
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.
Spring Is The Best Time To Seal Coat Your Asphalt
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.
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.
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.
Upon completion, we recommend to keep vehicles off for a minimum of 48 – 72 hours. You may walk on the driveway after 24 hours.
The best time to pave or seal a driveway is typically in the late spring or early summer. Cleaning and maintaining your driveway regularly can also help to prolong its life. It's essential to repair any cracks or damage as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration and higher pavement maintenance costs.
While it is ideal to seal cracks during spring and fall, it is also possible to do so during colder days – even during winter! Regardless of the actual ambient temperature, so long as the cracks are dry and heated to at least 40⁰F to 50⁰F using a torch or hot air lance, you can apply asphalt crack filler.
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.
Generally speaking, if you have been maintaining your asphalt driveway by filling small cracks before they grow bigger, and sealing the pavement every 2-3 years you could have a driveway that lasts over 20 years. Sealcoating is instrumental to making your asphalt driveway last longer.
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.
When the changing leaves are still on the trees in early fall, it's ideal weather for seal coating your driveway. Plus, sealing in fall gives you the best chance of protection from harsh winter weather.
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.
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.
Driveway sealer will dry like paint from the top down. It may feel dry on the surface but may still be wet underneath. You can walk on the driveway as soon as it feels dry to the touch, usually just a few hours in sunny areas. Allow additional time for shady areas at all times.
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.
Apply Ice Melt and Ice Melting Alternatives
Ice melt and grit can help prevent snow buildup. Treat driveways and walkways early. Ice melting agents work best if they are applied before the snow, sleet or freezing rainfall. As snow piles melt, they often refreeze overnight.
The absolute minimum temperature for seal coating is 50 degrees (Fahrenheit), lower than that and you're asking for trouble. So, while the precipitation of 'most' winters isn't necessarily an issue here, that cold can certainly make the curing process delayed.