What's the best temperature to seal a driveway? The ideal conditions for application are during the day when pavement and ambient temperatures are at least 50°F and rising, and no rain is forecasted for 24 hours. If these recommendations are not followed, the procedure will not yield desired results.
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 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.
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 Weather for Sealcoating is Warm and Dry
If there is any rain in the forecast for the day of the scheduled sealcoating, it should be delayed until the forecast shows no rain. The best weather for sealcoating is relatively arid conditions combined with a temperature between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
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.
Driveways with many cracks take longer; the more cracks and the deeper the cracks, the longer it takes to cure. 4. Thicker coats slow dry time. We always recommend two thin coats for best results.
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.
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.
The Drawbacks of Seal Coating
There are some drawbacks to sealcoating, however. 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.
Make sure there's no forecast for rain for at least three days. You want the driveway to remain dry for at least one day before and one day after applying each layer of sealant. Opt for late spring, summer, or early fall to do this project.
When Is It Too Hot? Sealcoating manufacturers do not recommend applying sealants if the temperature is above 90 degrees.
Most manufacturers recommend a minimum pavement temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Performing crack sealing at lower temperatures results in reduced adhesion. A hot air lance may be required to warm the pavement if crack sealing must happen when the pavement temperature is below 40 degrees.
Sealcoating anytime after October 31st, the nighttime temperatures fall below 40 degrees. This could cause problems with a water based asphalt sealer. 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.
Crack sealing can be performed in virtually any outside air temperature as long as the crack is dry and warmed to 40°F (4.4°C), which is easily done with a hot air lance. There are several states that rounely do crack sealing in the winter such as MT, NY and others.
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.
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.
Sealcoating Your Parking Lot or Driveway
Asphalt sealer takes at least seven days to fully cure. There is no need to hurry if it is not necessary. If possible, do not use your freshly coated driveway for a full 72 hours (about 3 days) just to be on the safe side.
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.
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.
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.
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.