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.
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.
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 main health-related danger of working with sealcoating is that the materials are often carcinogenic. So, if workers get exposed to them through skin or lung contact, they can develop cancer and other illnesses.
Once the sealer starts to wear off, your driveway starts to look bad. Your neighbors may think less of you because of the appearance of the driveway. You're forced into an endless cycle of sealing your driveway, even though the driveway itself is in excellent condition.
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.
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.
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.
Federal district ban: Washington, D.C. Largest municipal ban: San Antonio, Texas. Largest municipal ban with a PAH limit: Austin, TX. State bans: Washington, Minnesota, Maine (Effective 10/2024), New York (sales cease 11/2022; application ends 11/2023), and Maryland (ban effective 10/2023).
If you are using a water based seal then it is not really a problem as the sealer is non hazardous and will only cause a mild aggravation to the animal. If however you are using a solvent based sealer then this can cause more of an issue..
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 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.
Upon completion, we recommend to keep vehicles off for a minimum of 48 – 72 hours. You may walk on the driveway after 24 hours.
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.
Seal coating allows for a smoother, crack-free driveway, and because smoother pavements extend pavement life by as much as 10% to 25%, you won't have to worry about replacement or repairs for a much longer period of time.
Coal Tar is obtained as a by-product in the process of making coke. Its color is similar to coke but it is a highly viscous liquid accompanied by an unpleasant smell. It is used to make synthetic dyes, drugs, perfumes, plastic, paints, etc.
WHEN & WHY DID COAL TAR STOP GETTING USED IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION? Before the 1980s, tarmac binders and surface courses were derived from coal tar, which is formed as a by-product during the production of coal gas. This is now classified as a hazardous substance under WM3 rules.
Depending on the condition of pavement, it may be replaced with concrete, stone, or permeable pavers. If years more life are expected, it may be preserved by alternative sealcoats. The most common replacement is asphalt-based, which when properly applied performs as well or better than coal tar, at similar cost.
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.
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.
Coal tar sealcoat is known for its hard, durable film, deep dark color and increased fuel resistance. It's also known as an easier material to work with than is asphalt-based, due in part to it being more forgiving in marginal weather/environmental conditions.
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.
The main benefit of driveway sealing, however, is protection from the elements. By protecting your driveway from the sun, water and chemicals, you can greatly extend the life of your pavement. A newly sealed driveway can also be easier to keep clean.
Apply sealant every three to five years. If you've recently installed a new driveway, wait at least 90 days to a year to ensure the sealant doesn't damage the asphalt. Sealcoating a new driveway too early may trap oils within the asphalt, resulting in a driveway that is too soft or flexible.