When to Sealcoat Your Asphalt Driveway

The changing seasons and weather, along with regular use, will eventually transform your driveway from pretty and sleek to dull and cracked—that is, unless you maintain it. Although normal wear and tear is expected, there is an easy and cost-effective way to protect and extend the life of your asphalt driveway. This involves having it professionally sealcoated several times throughout its lifespan. Contact a local asphalt contractor to help you evaluate the condition of the sealant on your asphalt driveway.

Below we’ll talk about sealcoating and the signs that indicate the need for an investment in asphalt driveway sealing in Phoenix, AZ.

When to apply a sealcoat

Ideally, you should sealcoat your asphalt driveway every one to three years, or when you begin to see the individual stones that make up the structure. There is one exception to this rule, however: never seal a brand-new asphalt driveway. The asphalt surface needs to rest for a minimum of six months to allow the oils in the materials to evaporate. Less oil means a harder driveway, which is exactly what you want to ensure a strong and long-lasting surface.

When is the best time of year to add a sealcoat? It all depends on the area where you live, the weather and the outdoor temperature. In order for the sealer to adhere properly, the temperature must be 50 degrees or higher. Additionally, your sealcoat contractor will want the sealer to be on your dry asphalt driveway for at least 48 hours, so make sure rain isn’t in the forecast before having the job completed.

Telltale signs to watch for

Aside from the age of the driveway, there are some physical signs to look for that’ll help you determine whether your asphalt driveway needs to be resealed:

• Color fade: A newly sealed, freshly paved asphalt surface will shine with a clean black color. The black will stand out from a distance, but look smooth and even up close. But after a few years of use, the original sealant will inevitably start to break apart. The impressive black color will gradually fade to a lighter gray, and may even sport various shades of gray as the material slowly crumbles under vehicle tires. Your local sealcoat expert will likely determine that the loss of color is a sealant issue.
• Cracks: The purpose of the sealant is to protect paved areas from exposure to moisture brought on by the weather, and you need to reseal your paved surfaces at least every four years, if not more often depending on use and the climate. When you see cracks in your driveway, the sealant has stopped working. Moisture can now seep into the surface and form gaps. Left as is, cracks can turn into potholes, so reseal as soon as you can!
• Dull surface: A newly finished driveway has a distinct glossy appearance from the sealcoating, but over time, the glossy finish starts to diminish and it will take on a noticeably dull appearance.

The team at Sunstar Seal Coating, Inc. regularly leads the way in asphalt and concrete preserving in Phoenix, AZ. Call us any time for all your paving and sealing needs!

Categorised in: Sealcoating

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