The best temperature range for applying sealcoat is between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideal temperatures are those that start around 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning and increase throughout the afternoon.
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.
You can apply sealer at any time of day as long as the pavement temperature does not fall past 40 degrees at night. You can even apply the sealcoat during the nighttime. Many people choose to start their sealcoat project around 10 AM as the sun's temperatures begin to rise, and the humidity is not too oppressive.
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 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.
When Is It Too Hot? Sealcoating manufacturers do not recommend applying sealants if the temperature is above 90 degrees.
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.
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.
Upon completion, we recommend to keep vehicles off for a minimum of 48 – 72 hours. You may walk on the driveway after 24 hours.
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.
While sealing a driveway can be done with hand tools like shovels and push brooms, it's faster and easier with a few pieces of outdoor power equipment like a string trimmer, blower and pressure washer. It's also smart to wear old shoes, safety glasses, and a pair of gloves you won't mind parting with.
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.
Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit are too cold to apply sealcoat. Furthermore, if the low temperatures fall to freezing or below while the coating dries, water in the sealcoat material could freeze, leading to the finished product separating and peeling.
Give the sealer at least 4 to 8 hours of drying time before rain is expected. Don't drive on your newly-sealed interlocked driveway for 24 to 48 hours after applying the seal. Give your sealed driveway or interlocking walkway at least 6 hours to dry before walking on it.
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.
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.
If you're considering Sealcoating your asphalt as well, filling asphalt cracks first is always a better option. 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.
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. Seal coating is cost-effective in the long run and it can significantly improve the appearance 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.
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.
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.
Coverage rate:
Total of 2 coats – average coverage around 50 square feet per gallon (or 5 square yards).