What Is Sealcoating?

Sealcoating is a protective treatment applied to asphalt surfaces to enhance their durability and longevity. It involves applying a coal tar or asphalt-based emulsion fortified with additives, including polymers and fillers, to the surface of your pavement. This coating forms a protective layer that shields your asphalt from damage caused by UV rays, water penetration, oil spills, and other environmental factors.

Sealcoating helps to prevent oxidation, cracking, and deterioration and enhances the appearance of your pavement by restoring its color and providing a smooth, uniform surface.

How Often Should You Sealcoat Your Driveway?

There are a few things to consider when determining how often to sealcoat your driveway:

• Climate
• Use
• Pavement condition

Sealing your driveway every 2 to 3 years is advisable for optimal protection and maintenance. Regular driveway inspections will help you determine when it’s time to reapply sealcoat.

How Do You Tell if Your Driveway Needs Sealcoating?

Signs that your driveway may need sealcoating include:

• Fading color
• Appearance of small cracks or surface damage
• Loss of smoothness or texture

How Do You Prepare for Asphalt Sealcoating?

Proper preparation is essential for achieving a successful asphalt seal.

Here’s how to prepare for asphalt sealcoating:

• Clean the surface: Thoroughly clean your asphalt surface to remove dirt, debris, and vegetation.
• Repair cracks and potholes: Inspect your asphalt for any cracks, potholes, or damage. Repair these before sealcoating. Allow repairs to cure completely before proceeding with the coating application.
• Remove oil stains: Treat oil stains with a degreaser or oil spot primer to ensure proper sealcoat adhesion.
• Trim vegetation: Trim back grass, weeds, or vegetation along the edges of your asphalt surface to ensure a clean and tidy appearance and to prevent interference during the sealcoat application.
• Edge your driveway: Use a weed trimmer or edging tool to create clean, defined edges along your driveway.
• Protect surrounding areas: Cover nearby surfaces like sidewalks, garage doors, and landscaping with plastic sheeting or drop cloths to protect them from overspray.
• Allow for drying time: Ensure your asphalt surface is completely dry before applying the sealcoat.

How Much Does It Cost to Top Seal a Driveway?

Several factors help determine the cost of sealcoating a driveway.

These considerations include:

• Area size
• Sealant type
• Labor required
• Accessibility
• Location

How Long Does Sealcoating Take to Dry Completely?

Most sealcoating products require at least 24 to 48 hours to dry completely. During the drying process, keeping your newly sealcoated surface free from foot traffic, vehicles, and water exposure is essential to allow the sealant to cure correctly. Avoid parking cars or placing heavy objects on your driveway during this time to prevent damage to your freshly applied sealcoat.

Which Beacon paving service provides the best asphalt repair and protection?

R. Stanley Paving LLC Asphalt sealcoating services can restore the original blacktop shine of any asphalt surface. Our advanced, high quality products not only enhance the appearance of a driveway, roadway, parking lot, and other Beacon asphalt surfaces; R. Stanley Paving LLC’s superior sealcoating techniques actually prolong the life of your investment and helps prevent additional asphalt failure and deterioration.

How does R. Stanley Paving LLC sealcoating work to protect asphalt?

As its name suggests, sealcoating creates a protective seal that reduces oxidation from the sun. Asphalt that is unsealed and exposed to the sun’s harsh rays eventually changes color and loses its flexibility to expand and contract with temperature changes. The effects of heat and light on unprotected asphalt inevitably results in pavement cracks that worsen and develop into large gaps. Effective sealcoating interrupts this process.

R. Stanley Paving LLC sealcoating also helps Beacon asphalt surfaces from unraveling and losing stone due to continued exposure to gas and motor oil. The proper application of sealcoating to an asphalt surface battered by petroleum based products requires precision and appropriate timing. Our experienced work crews apply sealcoating techniques at the most suitable interval following a fresh asphalt paving.

Formulated for either residential driveway or areas subject to the regular traffic of heavy duty vehicles, our sealcoating products endure high volume traffic and stand up to the harshest Beacon weather.