If you’re paving anything then you know that it can be a bit of a tedious project and typically you must stay off of the area for a certain amount of time. Paving includes the whole process of laying asphalt and sealcoating. If you’re looking to get anything paved then you need to know how long it takes for sealcoating to dry so you know how long you’ll need to be off the area. Let’s dive in and learn more about sealcoating.
What Is Sealcoating?
Sealcoating is when a protective layer is added onto the pavement in order to make it last longer and be stronger. Sealcoating should always be done when you are doing pavement because typically the area will be high traffic meaning a lot of people will be walking through the area or driving through the area.
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How Long Does It Take Sealcoating To Dry?
Sealcoating is a protective layer added on top of pavement that typically needs about 24-72 hours to dry. Typically we suggest that you wait a full 72 hours to make sure that it dries before going onto the area. It’s important to abide by this as the sealcoating is a good protective layer on your pavement and waiting a few days for it to dry is worth it for the longevity you’ll get.
What Happens If It Rains After Sealcoating?
Unfortunately, rain and moisture in general can wash away sealcoating put on pavement. It’s important to try to plan the sealcoating accordingly to the weather as well. Typically sealcoating will need about 4-8 hours to fully cure before being fine in the rain, but we recommend trying to avoid rainy weather conditions for at least 24-48 hours. Regardless, you should stay off of the pavement and sealcoating for 72 hours to ensure that it has fully dried and cured properly. If the sealcoating is washed away by the rain then it will need to be redone.
What Time of Year Is Best To Seal Driveway?
Believe it or not, there is an ideal time of year to seal a driveway. Springtime and summertime are great times to seal your driveway. This is simply because of the warm weather as the heat helps the sealcoating to dry quicker than if the weather was cooler.
You’ll also want to pay attention to rainy seasons as well as it is not ideal to pave or sealcoat in rainy weather as it will not cure. The perfect temperature range for paving and sealcoating is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Happens If You Don’t Sealcoat?
Sealcoating is essential to protecting your pavement, especially in high-traffic areas such as a driveway. If you don’t sealcoat the area then you can experience problems such as cracking, crumbling, potholes, and water erosion.
Sealcoating is important for the longevity and maintenance of paved surfaces. You may not experience these problems right away, but you can expect to experience them a few years down the line, which is unacceptable for how pricey and time-consuming paving can be. It’s important that you maintain the sealcoating as well by getting it redone every 2 to 3 years. This can help to keep your pavement working strong and looking as great as it did the day it was paved.
Is Sealcoating Worth It?
Sealcoating might seem like an unnecessary extra step to the pavement but it actually is a bit of a lifeline for the pavement. This protective layer is extremely important for asphalt because it is meant to be a protective coating. It helps with protecting against heavy traffic on driveways and roads, while also being a barrier from the elements such as rain, hail, or snow. Sealcoating is always worth it as it can extend the lifetime of your pavement years.
Benefits of sealcoating:
- Prevents water intrusion
- Protects against cracking and crumbling
- Extends pavement lifetime
- Protects from weather elements such as ice and snow
- UV protection
How Much Is Sealcoating?
Let’s go over how much you can expect to pay for sealcoating. Sealcoating can range from $0.08 to $0.30 per square foot. This means that for a 600-square-foot spot you can expect to pay between $50 to $180. So it is actually quite affordable to sealcoat your pavement which makes it that much more worth it.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately sealcoating needs to dry for about 72 hours before you go on it and it needs to be free of rain for 24 hours. It’s important to follow these guidelines because the sealcoat will not cure if the conditions aren’t right. Sealcoating is a great way to protect your pavement, especially in high-traffic areas. It’s relatively affordable and accessible for many homeowners or business owners. Take these notes into consideration next time you look into getting sealcoating or pavement done.