The Best Time of Year to Sealcoat My Asphalt

Best Time of Year to Sealcoat My Asphalt

Nothing improves a driveway or parking lot’s appearance more than a fresh, dark coat of asphalt. Just like a bright green lawn generates stronger curb appeal for a home, a well-maintained asphalt surface helps the home or building look more attractive and appealing. 

However, just like that green lawn, an asphalt surface cannot remain in perfect condition without a maintenance schedule. Sealcoating is one of the most essential maintenance components that should be provided to asphalt surfaces every few years. 

The Basics of Sealcoating

Since asphalt bears the brunt of everything, from torrential rain and oil spills to heavy traffic and intense sun exposure, it’s inevitable that it will deteriorate and fade with time. Sealcoating is the process of helping asphalt look brand new again by covering worn asphalt with a new asphalt emulsion spray. 

The spray not only gives asphalt that appealing, dark, uniform appearance once again, but it also restores its structural integrity. 

Before seal coating can begin, all significant asphalt cracks, meaning more than ½” wide, need to be patched and sealed so that they do not become worse and ruin the fresh seal coat. 

Sealcoating is not a long process, but it is important that the new asphalt coating has a 72-hour cure time before traffic begins driving on the surface again. This prevents scuffing and tracking into adjoining areas and maintains a new, fresh appearance.

When Should Sealcoating Be Performed? 

It is important to note that seal coating isn’t like painting your nails; it can’t be done every week or month. Seal coating should only be completed when asphalt looks clearly worn and dry. 

Depending on the level of traffic on an asphalt surface, this might range between every three and seven years. Commercial spaces like parking lots tend to need seal coating more frequently than homes. 

Jireh Construction, located in Seattle, Washington, specializes in seal coating and other important asphalt and concrete services that provide your residential or commercial space with the most attractive surfaces. 

Call Jireh today at 425-678-3632 to start taking care of your asphalt the right way.