Asphalt surfaces like driveways and parking lots can last for decades. But to get the most out of your investment, maintain your surfaces with regular asphalt sealing and timely repairing.
Sealcoating is a barrier against the elements and helps protect your pavement from UV damage, water intrusion, and oxidation. Not only does seal coating make your pavement look better, but it also extends its life – which means you’ll save money in the long run.
But are there any limitations to driveway seal coating? For example, can you seal coat in the winter? Will moisture have some effect on the process? Let’s take a closer look at the weather conditions that may affect the commercial seal coating process.
Rain and Sealcoating
Blacktop seal coating materials adhere best to dry surfaces. If the asphalt pavement is damp, the sealer will not adhere well, resulting in a lower-quality job. In addition, standing water on the surface can also dilute the sealer, making it less effective.
Moreover, the newly applied sealer will wash away if the rain pours heavily soon after your driveway seal coating process.
Therefore, it’s best to check your weather forecast, turn off the sprinklers a few days before driveway seal coating, and hold off on rescheduling until the driveway is bone-dry.
How Essential is Sunlight for Sealcoating?
Professionals recommend that freshly seal coated surfaces be left undisturbed for at least 24 hours. Because that’s the time period for how long it takes for the sealant to adequately cure. Seal coating on a cloudy day won’t kill the driveway, but sunlight is necessary for optimal results. Since blacktop seal coating dries from top to bottom, UV rays from the sun help to set the sealer faster.
Ideal driveway sealing weather includes two consecutive days of full sun and temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Suppose you can’t find two days in a row that meet all the criteria. In that case, it’s still possible to seal coat your driveway, but you’ll need to take extra care to avoid damaging the new sealer.
Wind Has Good and Bad Effects
We have discussed how drying time is essential for the sealant to adhere to the pavement and set properly.
Wind can help by promoting evaporation and keeping things nice and warm.
However, if the winds gust above 10 miles per hour, it can start to blow the sealer around before it has a chance to set. If the sealer damages nearby vehicles and buildings, you’ll have a costly repair.
Can You Sealcoat in Winters?
To answer that in a word, NO!
Any lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold for the sealer to set and will cause it to track and smear. If the temperatures fall below freezing point, the water in the seal coating mixture will freeze and expand, causing the sealer to crack.
And if you get a lot of snow, the plows will tear up your newly sealed driveway. So, waiting until spring to get your driveway seal coated is best.
The Best Weather Conditions for Sealcoating:
The ideal weather conditions for seal coating are:
- Temperature between 50- and 90 degrees Fahrenheit,
- Little or no chance of rain
- Minimum cloud cover
- Low humidity levels
- Good sun exposure
Conclusion:
Since Fitchburg’s temperatures rarely go above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, you can easily pick a spring or summer day to get your driveway seal coated. Just check the weather conditions a few days in advance, so you can reschedule if necessary.
Doctor Asphalt is your commercial seal coating expert in Fitchburg, MA. Whether you need to save time or money or want residential or commercial seal coating, we can help.
