The First 12 Months
After completion:
Asphalt sealants will not raise low areas or make a damaged or degrading surface look like new again
Oil stains have been treated but may still be noticeable as the surface texture has been altered
Crackfiller, patchwork and pre-existing surface imperfections may be noticeable
Brush applied sealcoating jobs will have some visible brush strokes. Cut-in edges may look different
Do not walk on or place any items on the surface for 24 hours if possible. Do not drive a vehicle on the surface for 48 hours
Up until winter:
Sealant fully cures over 4-6 weeks
Sealant color may vary from dark black to slate gray and it is common to have a blueish tint. Many factors affect color including sealant curing cycles and seasonal or even daily weather conditions
It is normal to see tire marks on a recently sealed surface, especially in the first 4-6 weeks and during hot weather. These are not damaging the sealcoat and will blend away with time
You may see mineral staining from irrigation systems and fertilizer. This should wash away in time
After 1 winter:
You will have a moderate amount of wear in the first winter
There are many variables that affect the longevity of any sealcoating job: pre-existing condition, traffic, shade, overhead vegetation, water drainage, force of snow removal, chemical spills, and more
Certain types of aggregate rocks in the asphalt can ‘pop’ or split in extreme cold or heat, leaving scattered speckles visible on the surface
What can cause early wear?
Flowing or puddled water
Areas with overhead trees or bushes will wear off early because of acids, sap and enzymes dripping onto the driveway. Also, the shade it creates results in prolonged moisture on the surface
Snow removal, especially plowing, will scratch the surface
Chemicals spills. Most commonly oil, gas and tire cleaner can damage or stain the sealant
High volume or repetitive vehicle traffic. Skid loaders or tractors forcefully turning on the surface
What can I expect to see with my hot rubber sealed cracks and joints?
The rubber crackfiller can be soft in warm weather and possibly stick to tires or other items. The likelihood of this decreases with time and cooler temps. Call us for a touch up if needed
How long the cracks stay sealed with hot rubber is mostly dependent on the size of the crack and how much your ground shifts during freeze/thaw cycles. Because of this, there is no guarantee on how long the cracks will stay sealed
A percent of all sealed cracks will split in the first winter. There is no product or process that can fully prevent this
What can I do to extend the life and beauty of my sealant and asphalt surface?
Remove snow with as little force as possible
Keep chemicals off of the surface. Chemicals in your garage will track onto the asphalt. Be aware of leaking fluids from cars. Spray on tire cleaner in the road
Cut back trees and bushes that cause significant shade if possible
Be sure your roof gutters are properly draining water away from the driveway
Try to vary where you drive into your driveway and garage
How often should I sealcoat?
Sealcoating is a maintenance act and wear off technically starts on day 1. While you may need to mow your lawn weekly, you only need to sealcoat every 2-3 years to effectively protect your driveway. If you want that perfect look, it is OK to seal more often but this is not necessary for protection and preservation purposes