The Best Time to Seal Your Driveway
If you want an asphalt driveway that lasts for years and keeps looking great, seal it. The best time to seal a driveway will be different in every region. A lot will depend on the weather and how the seasons interact with the climate where you live.
Why Seal Your Driveway?
There are several reasons to seal a driveway, but the main reason is to protect it. Winter weather, extreme cold, ice, and snow all cause damage to asphalt. Often the chemicals and methods used to fight road ice can also damage unsealed asphalt.
UV radiation from the sun also damages asphalt. Applying a layer of seal coat to the driveway can reduce the amount of radiation that the asphalt receives. The sealant will help prevent cracking and other damage on your asphalt driveway.
Applying a seal coat isn’t a magical cure, and asphalt does have a life expectancy. Proper maintenance is vital to reducing future repair costs and extending the time between replacing the asphalt. While it does come with a price, it more than makes up for it.
Environmental Concerns
When should you seal your driveway? The main concerns that you will face are based on temperature and rain. You want to have a time when the temperature stays above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and there won’t be any rain for at least twenty-four hours.
If you live in the United States, the time when the weather is optimal will vary. For most places, you should aim to do it in the spring or in the fall. This will prevent you from having to deal with too much cold or heat. As long as you can find a window of at least twenty-four hours, the rain won’t be a problem.
Which Is Better?
The reality is that applying a seal coat in fall has some advantages over spring. Its main advantage is that it will provide better protection from damage during winter. Cold weather and water are the main enemies of asphalt. Heat can also be a problem, as it will break down the seal coat you apply during spring.
This means that for the best protection, you should apply the coating in the fall. If this isn’t possible, spring will be the second-best choice. If you live in an area with mild summers, it is also possible to apply it then. The worst time to apply a seal coat on asphalt is during the winter, unless of course you live in the southernmost areas of the United States.
Your Asphalt Driveway
Having an asphalt driveway that is sealed and protected will look better and be safer. If you want to get an asphalt driveway poured, we can help. If you need help with the maintenance of your existing driveway, we can also help. CPEX can take care of any asphalt problems you may have, from seal coating to crack repair.
All you need to do to set up an appointment or consultation is to contact us.
