The Ultimate Guide to Asphalt Sealcoating: Everything You Need to Know to Protect Your Pavement
Sealcoating is the number one thing you can do to protect your pavement from expensive damage. Unfortunately, outside of the paving world, the process isn’t well-known. Our guide will tell you everything you need to know about sealcoating, including what it is, why it’s essential and how to find a good contractor––or how to sealcoat your own surface to protect your investment in your asphalt surface and maintain beautiful pavement.
Table of Contents:
What is sealcoating?
How does sealcoating protect asphalt?
How do I know if my driveway needs sealcoating?
What are the pros of sealcoating?
What are the cons of sealcoating?
Sealcoating FAQs
How do I know the paving contractor I hired is qualified?
What is sealcoating?
Sealcoating is the application of a protective layer to asphalt surfaces to keep out water, chemicals, and other harmful things that damage the surface over time and shorten its lifespan. Asphalt sealcoating is a thin mixture of liquid and small particles used to create asphalt, like sand, minerals, or asphalt itself.
The history of sealcoating closely follows the history of cars and paved roads. As more people purchased automobiles in the 1920s and 30s the demand for paved roads increased, shortly followed by the need to maintain those roads. Sealcoating has been and continues to be a cost-effective and easy way to maintain smooth asphalt surfaces.
How does sealcoating protect asphalt?
Once the sealant is applied, the oil inside it seeps through the existing asphalt. It replenishes the oil on the original surface, as well as lubricating the binder that holds the asphalt together. Keeping asphalt flexible is important. It needs the ability to expand in heat and contract in cold weather. Without enough oil, the asphalt dries out and becomes brittle. Cracks then develop and further damage will soon follow.
Sealcoating prevents that damage and the tiny pieces of material in it act as a filler to small cracks inside the pavement. It fills these cracks with fresh material, more effectively sealing out harmful chemicals and water. Sealcoating also gives pavement surfaces more uniformity, which eliminates uneven wear.
How do I know if my driveway needs sealcoating?
Asphalt driveways benefit from sealcoating six months to a year after the asphalt is applied. New asphalt surfaces should not be sealed any earlier than six months. Sealcoating offers protection for up to three years if your driveway is in good condition and free from large cracks or other damage. If you’re unsure how long it has been since your asphalt was sealed, it’s better to err on the side of caution and sealcoat.
Sealcoating works best on surfaces that are still in good condition. It is a maintenance step rather than a general repair. If your driveway already has significant wear, visible cracking, or water damage, it’s too late to take a preventative measure like sealcoating. Instead, you should repair the driveway and then seal the fresh asphalt at the appropriate time.
What are the pros of sealcoating?
- Improved Appearance – Sealcoating lays down a thin layer of asphalt, which hardens and preserves the black color of the original asphalt. Without sealcoating, weather, use and sun damage eventually wear down the top layer and turn the signature black look into a worn grey. With regular sealcoating, your asphalt will continue to look new.
- Protection – Sealcoating prevents water and chemicals from entering small cracks in the surface that wear down the asphalt and the base beneath it. It also protects asphalt against harsh weather and the sun’s ultraviolet rays. UV rays can penetrate asphalt and weaken it. Sealcoating protects asphalt from these harmful rays.
- Deep Maintenance – Sealcoating allows new oil to seep into your asphalt and keeps the asphalt flexible. Flexible asphalt resists the effects of fluctuating temperatures better. It can expand when heated by the sun and contract in cold weather. If your asphalt becomes dry and brittle, it will crack. Sealcoating is an important maintenance step that should not be missed.
- Low Cost – Compared to the cost of repairing damaged asphalt or completely resurfacing an area, sealcoating is a low-cost maintenance option that will lengthen the life of your asphalt surface.
- Damage Prevention – If you keep your asphalt smooth through sealcoating, you will prevent greater damage from occurring. Potholes result when water is able to seep into the ground beneath the asphalt. Sealcoating prevents moisture from entering your surface to protect against cracks, potholes and other damage.
- Smooth Surface – Sealcoating maintains a smooth surface, which makes it ideal for sweeping. When you’re able to keep your asphalt clean, it prevents dirt and chemicals from collecting on top and harming the surface. A smooth surface also reduces the wear and tear on vehicles and can mean less maintenance if you own a long driveway or deal with many vehicles crossing your surface.
What are the cons of sealcoating?
- Sealcoating won’t completely prevent cracks or other damage. Although it does fill in small cracks and wear on the surface, it can’t entirely prevent damage, especially if the asphalt base wasn’t installed properly or the original asphalt wasn’t a good quality mixture.
- Sealcoating is a regular maintenance cost. Once it is applied, it should be reapplied every three years for the life of the asphalt. Asphalt that is properly maintained can last twenty to thirty years.
- Sealcoating can’t be applied to damaged asphalt. Your surface should be free of cracks and other damage. If you have surface damage, it must be repaired first before sealcoating.
- Sealcoating is not a fix for improper installation. If you suspect your asphalt was installed improperly, consult a pavement professional on how to correct the problem.
- Sealcoating can’t be applied in cold temperatures. Avoid application during winter months and plan ahead to schedule sealcoating when temperatures will be warm enough to allow the sealant to dry properly.
Sealcoating FAQs
Q: Can I sealcoat my driveway myself?
A: Yes, but it is an intense process and you need to carefully follow all instructions. Before you begin, power wash the surface to remove all dirt and chemicals. Next, treat any oil stains with an oil spot primer. If you have visible cracks, seal these cracks with crack filler first and allow them to dry completely. Purchase high quality sealcoating and mix it well, ideally with a mixing paddle. Apply the sealcoating with the specified tool, either a broom or a squeegee. Try to maintain smooth strokes and be careful not to splash. The sealant will stain garage doors, sidewalks and other surfaces and can be difficult to remove. Allow the sealer to dry overnight. Apply a second coating to the surface if needed. Allow 48 hours to completely dry before driving on it.
Q: How long before I can walk or drive vehicles over new sealcoating?
A: Sealcoating dries fastest on warm, sunny days. If you sealcoat in late spring or summer, you can walk on it within two to four hours of application. It will dry within 24 hours, although we recommend you wait 48 hours if possible. However, if your business needs access faster, we can work with you to get vehicles back on the surface within the same day.
Q: How much does it cost to sealcoat my driveway or parking lot?
A: The average cost of sealer is $0.14 to $0.25 cents per square foot. Multiply the square footage of your driveway or parking lot to estimate your cost. Bear in mind that labor costs can vary by area and company. Contact a qualified contractor for a good estimate.
Q: How often does sealcoating need to be done?
A: Plan to sealcoat your asphalt surface every three years from first application. This is important to maintain a smooth, protected surface. Once you have visible damage on your asphalt surface, it’s often too late to sealcoat.
Q: When is pavement too damaged for sealcoating?
A: Pavement should be in good condition before sealcoating with minimal cracking. If you have damage but it is limited to smaller cracks, we can fill them before sealing. More extensive damage, like potholes, erosion, or low spots, cannot be fixed through sealcoating. These repairs must take place first.
Q: I have a concrete driveway or surface. Can I sealcoat it?
A: Yes. Sealant does exist for concrete surfaces, but it is a different mixture than asphalt sealcoating. If you’re sealing your surface yourself, be sure to know which sealant you need and follow all instructions.
Q: What are the advantages of hiring a sealcoating contractor to sealcoat my asphalt instead of saving money and doing it myself?
A: Sealcoating is a time and labor intensive job that takes preparation and knowledge. Sealcoating specialists have the experience needed to sealcoat your surface properly. The surface must be cleaned well and all cracks filled before beginning. Not hiring a professional may save you in labor costs, but you may also find your costs adding up as you add in the costs of additional equipment needed, like a power washer, crack filler and tools to apply the sealant and protect other areas. It’s not easy to lay a smooth application of sealcoat, but at DRYCO, we have re-engineered our machines to spray sealcoating evenly to provide great protection and a superior appearance.
Q: What is the best way to maintain my asphalt surface after sealcoating?
A: Regularly sweep the area to keep it free of debris and chemicals. Schedule a yearly assessment with your paving professional to check for any damage. Keep track of your sealcoating applications and schedule your next sealcoating service on time.
How do I know the paving contractor I hire is qualified?
Look for a contractor who has been in business at least a few years. Sealcoating is a common practice in pavement maintenance, so most paving contractors should have an experienced team, but you can ask questions to learn more about their process.
Some good questions to ask are:
- How long will it take to sealcoat my surface?
- What if I need to use the parking lot on the same day?
- How long does the sealant last?
- Do I need any repairs before I sealcoat my surface?
- How much will it cost to sealcoat my driveway or parking lot?
A qualified contractor will be able to answer your questions through experience and a quick assessment of your asphalt surface.
At DRYCO, we’re proud of the innovations we’ve made in our sealcoating service, and we offer fencing, concrete services, striping, slurry seal and more. We look forward to helping you maintain a beautifully paved surface that will last for years to come. To learn more about our sealcoating service and request an estimate, contact us today.