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Pavement Maintenance Contractors
How soon after installation can a new asphalt/blacktop parking lot or driveway be sealed?
| We recommend you wait at least 6 months including one full summer season prior to sealing to allow it to fully cure and weather. After 6 months use the water bead test to determine if the surface is ready to be sealed: spray water across the surface; if it forms beads, it is not fully cured and not ready to be sealed yet, so you’ll have to wait a bit longer.
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How soon after sealing can I drive on a blacktop surface?
| Under most conditions you can drive on asphalt 24-48 hours after the last coat is finished. There are a few issues to note that affect dry time: 1) Areas in full shade will take longer than areas in full sun. 2) Cooler temperatures below 80° F and higher humidity above 50% can add up to 12 hours to the full cure time. 3) Driveways & parking lots with many cracks take longer; the more cracks and the deeper the cracks, the longer it takes to cure. 4) Thicker coats slow dry time. We always recommend two thin coats for best results.
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Should an asphalt surface be hot or cold when applying sealer? Wet or dry?
| A hot, dry parking lot or driveway above 95° F will dry too fast; the result can be a very uneven finish. We recommend cleaning the surface first, which also serves to cool off the surface. Make sure there is no puddled water before sealing. If the surface is too cold means the sealer will not set and cure properly. For best results we always recommend application at 65° F or higher for several hours before application, to ensure the surface is warm enough to allow a proper protective film. Shady areas, high humidity or cloudy conditions can slow the cure time of the sealer, so additional dry time between coats may be needed.
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Why do I need 2 thin coats? Won’t one thicker coat work?
| Applying two coats of any sealer will dry and create a better finish much better than one thick coat. These sealers are water based, and they cure and form a film primarily during the evaporation of water from the coating. A thin coat will evaporate much faster and create a single uniform layer. A second thin coat will fill in areas not filled by the first coat and create a deeper, richer, more uniform coat. Single thick coats cure less evenly, have a tendency to puddle, and are prone to tracking.
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The information on this site is provided as a free service. It is based on common conditions and may not apply to your specific situation. Please contact a Gardner representative with specific questions or comments.
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