Driveway Concepts would like you to be as informed as possible about your sealcoating experience, so below are some commonly asked questions. Please remember that we are always available to answer any questions by calling our offices or sending us a quick email.
Why Sealcoat?
- Extends the life of your asphalt
- Will maintain a new appearance
- Enhances the value of your property
- Ensures protection against the elements
- Saves money by preventing costly repairs
What Causes Erosion of your Blacktop?
Erosion occurs when water seeps beneath the surface and continually freezes and thaws. Through the changing season a fresh brush applied seal-coating will preserve and protect against water, excessive heat, gas, oil, salt, and the suns harmful rays. These elements leave the asphalt porous and gray. Oxidation begins to loosen the asphalt binders. Over time, cracks and potholes will develop. Unsightly oil stains may also appear. By sealcoating your entire blacktop surface it will remain easier to clean and maintain. Most importantly, sealcoating is far less expensive than resurfacing your blacktop.
How long does the process take?
It depends on the cleaning and repairs. The average driveway with NO repairs can usually be done in about an hour.
Will sealer fix the cracks on my driveway?
Cracks in asphalt pavement need to be repaired properly with either hot rubber
repair material or cold pourable filler. Sealcoating can fix hairline cracks but is not designed for larger cracking.
Will my driveway be structurally sound and smooth again?
Unlike a patch or an infrared repair, sealcoating does not alter the
soundness of the pavement structure in any way. Sealcoating is not
pavement repair. Sealcoating is a pavement maintenance approach. It is a liquid used on essentially sound pavements to enhance their appearance and
slow deterioration.
How long do I need to stay off my driveway?
In full sun, you can walk on your driveway in 2-4 hours. We recommend keeping cars off the driveway for at least 24 hours. In the spring and fall, 48 hours is recommended. Although it dries in 24-48 hours, it takes 30 days to cure, so do not apply any harsh chemicals. On hot summer days, avoid turning your tires while remaining still as power steering marks may appear. These marks are not a result of the sealer, but of the asphalt underneath the sealer that tears up. After we have finished applying the pavement sealer, we will block only the entrance with barricade tape. ” Do not use fertilizer on your yard for 2 weeks after sealcoating “
To learn more about Power Steering marks click Here. Or visit http://www.asphaltinstitute.org/ and read their article on this subject.
How often should I seal my driveway?
Asphalt pavements should be sealcoated every 18 to 24 months. Although, we do have regular customers that request sealcoating every year for a “fresh new look”
How soon can new pavement be sealcoated?
Newly paved asphalt surfaces should not be sealcoated until they have sufficient time to cure. Curing allows the excess oils that are always present in new asphalt pavements to diminish through a process called oxidation. This process can take 90 days depending on the percentage of oil present in the new pavement. We usually recommend that a new asphalt pavement to cure one year. This ensures that the surface will be properly cured when pavement sealer is applied.