Winter Sealcoating: Your Options
Sealcoating your asphalt driveway is an excellent way to protect it from wear and tear, weather elements, and chemicals. Many homeowners take advantage of this not-so-expensive yet highly effective way to enjoy a durable driveway for many years.
All asphalt experts will tell you that paving and sealcoating should be done when it’s warm outside. Otherwise, the quality and durability of your asphalt could suffer. But what happens if your asphalt fails during the winter? Should you pave and sealcoat it then? Let’s take a closer look.
Sealcoating in Low Temperatures
Temperatures in the winter can differ. The rule of thumb is not to apply a sealcoat when the temperatures are below 50°F. Doing so could keep the sealcoat from drying and being functional.
In case temperatures fall below freezing, sealcoating can be useless. Low temperatures can prevent the material from drying. Meanwhile, the water in the sealcoat could freeze, which would lead to peeling.
Depending on which state you are in, winters can be too cold for sealcoating.
If you plan to sealcoat your driveway in the winter, you need to pay close attention to the weather forecast. You need to give the sealcoat 24 to 48 hours to dry. Accordingly, temperatures should be above 50°F for at least two days.
If your driveway fails during the winter, you may want to repair cracks and holes but avoid sealcoating. Come back to repaving and sealcoating when temperatures go up.
Waiting for the Summer to Apply a Sealcoat
The best months for sealcoating your driveway are May through September in states with cold winters. However, if your state has a hot summer, avoid sealcoating your driveway during the hottest months. Just like cold weather, heat can affect the sealcoat in a negative manner.
According to experts from CSG Sealcoating, Jacksonville, you shouldn’t sealcoat your driveway when temperatures are above 95°F. Such temperatures can literally bake the sealcoat before it has time to settle and dry properly.
Many sealcoats contain a binder that melts at 100°F. If melting occurs, the sealcoat falls apart and becomes useless.
How to Prevent Your Asphalt from Failing in the Winter
Since sealcoating your asphalt in cold temperatures is out of the question, you need to make sure the need for it doesn’t arise in the winter. This can easily be done by following a few simple rules.
Inspection
Inspect your asphalt pavement at least once a week to discover cracks, holes, and other damages. If you find problems early, they are usually easy to fix. In fact, you don’t even need professional assistance to fill some of the asphalt cracks.
However, the longer they stay unattended, the more likely small damages are to turn into potholes and fail you at the most unexpected moment.
Timely Paving and Sealcoating
With the right maintenance, your asphalt pavement can last for decades. However, if your driveway is old, you need to pay special attention to its integrity. Consider hiring professionals to check the quality of your asphalt. Perhaps, the time has come to repave it.
Make sure to check the asphalt in the spring. This will give you sufficient time to repave and sealcoat it before winter comes.
Unlike paving, sealcoating needs to be done frequently. Depending on how heavily you use the driveway or how severe weather fluctuations are, you may need to apply a sealcoat once every one to three years.
If the sealcoating time is close, don’t ignore it. Get the job done in the fall and enjoy a strong driveway all winter long.
Paving and Sealcoating: Understanding the Difference
Professional Assistance
While the majority of asphalt maintenance work can be done without assistance, some problems need the attention of experts. Numerous cracks, chemical spills, and other issues you can’t eliminate on your own require professional assistance.
Don’t wait for the problem to become severe. Call asphalt experts at least once a year (preferable in the spring) to inspect and repair your driveway as needed.
The Takeaway
Sealcoating in the winter is only possible if temperatures don’t drop lower than 50°F. Otherwise, the sealcoat won’t dry properly. If you need to sealcoat in the winter, wait for the temperatures to increase.
In order not to sealcoat your driveway in the winter, you need to implement regular maintenance.
Winter Sealcoating: Your Options