8 Steps for How to Sealcoat a Driveway

If you own or manage property in Durham, Raleigh, or surrounding areas, maintaining your asphalt is likely one of your top priorities. Asphalt surfaces, including driveways and parking lots, face constant exposure to weather, vehicle traffic, and chemicals like oil and gasoline, which can cause cracks and degradation over time. One of the best ways to protect your asphalt and extend its life is through sealcoating.

At Green Street Blacktop, we take pride in delivering high-quality, eco-friendly sealcoating services to property managers and business owners throughout North Carolina. In this article, we’ll walk you through each step of the sealcoating process, from preparation to drying, so you know exactly what to expect.

What Is Sealcoating?

Sealcoating is the process of applying a protective layer of sealant over your asphalt surface to safeguard it from damage caused by UV rays, water, oil spills, and traffic. This sealant helps to fill small surface voids, preventing water from seeping in and causing cracks.

The result? Your asphalt looks fresh, clean, and new, and it’s protected from further damage.

Why Is Sealcoating Important?

Asphalt that’s left unprotected can wear down quickly, leading to cracks, potholes, and more extensive damage that could cost you thousands of dollars to repair. Sealcoating prevents water, chemicals, and sun exposure from degrading the surface, making it a cost-effective way to extend the life of your driveway or parking lot.

Now that we know why sealcoating is important, let’s dive into the steps involved in the process.

Step 1: Inspect and Clean the Surface

The first step in the sealcoating process is to inspect the surface of your driveway or parking lot for any cracks or damage. If there are cracks or potholes, they’ll need to be repaired before sealcoating can begin. At Green Street Blacktop, we offer crack filling and infrared asphalt patching services to address these issues. Filling cracks ensures that the sealant can do its job properly, protecting the surface and preventing future damage.

Once any repairs are made, it’s time to clean the surface thoroughly. This involves removing dirt, debris, leaves, and any other loose material. Power washing is commonly used to ensure the surface is as clean as possible. This step is critical because dirt or oil left on the surface can prevent the sealant from adhering properly.

For areas with oil stains, we use a degreasing agent to remove the oils, as they can break down the sealant if left untreated. A clean surface is the foundation for a successful sealcoating application. 

Step 2: Tape and Protect Adjacent Areas

Before applying the sealcoat, we take care to protect any areas adjacent to the asphalt. This might include sidewalks, curbs, or landscaping. Using painter’s tape or other barriers, we ensure that the sealant is only applied to the asphalt and not to areas it could stain or damage. For business owners, this is especially important if the area around your parking lot includes sensitive landscaping or expensive curb work.

We also put up cones or barriers to keep vehicles off the surface during the application and drying process. Proper preparation prevents accidental damage and ensures a neat, professional-looking result.

Step 3: Apply the Crack Filler

If your asphalt has cracks, they need to be filled before applying the sealcoat. Crack filling helps prevent water from seeping into the foundation, which can cause the asphalt to weaken and break apart over time. We use either hot pour or cold pour crack fillers, depending on the size and severity of the cracks.

• Hot pour crack filling involves heating a rubberized sealant and applying it to larger cracks. This method creates a flexible seal that expands and contracts with the asphalt during temperature changes.
• Cold pour crack filling is better suited for smaller cracks and doesn’t require heating. It’s typically used for quick fixes or less severe damage.

Filling the cracks before sealcoating ensures that your asphalt is fully protected, extending its lifespan.

Step 4: Mix the Sealcoat

The next step is to mix the sealcoat. Sealcoating material comes in concentrated form and must be mixed thoroughly before it can be applied to ensure an even consistency. Additives may be included to enhance the performance of the sealcoat, such as improving its drying time or increasing its resistance to oils and gasoline.

At Green Street Blacktop, we use high-quality, eco-friendly sealcoating products that are safe for the environment while providing excellent protection for your asphalt. These products are designed to stand up to North Carolina’s weather conditions, providing long-lasting results. 

Step 5: Apply the Sealcoat

Now it’s time to apply the sealcoat! Depending on the size of the surface and the type of sealant being used, this can be done using a brush, squeegee, or sprayer. For smaller areas like residential driveways, a brush or squeegee is often used for a more controlled application. For larger areas like parking lots, a sprayer is typically used to cover more ground quickly and evenly.

Sealcoating is applied in thin, even layers. The goal is to build up the protection gradually, ensuring that the sealant adheres properly and dries evenly. Applying too much sealant at once can lead to a sticky or uneven finish, so multiple thin coats are preferable.

At Green Street Blacktop, we often apply two coats of sealant for optimal coverage and durability. 

Step 6: Allow Proper Drying Time

Once the sealcoat is applied, it needs time to dry and cure. Drying time can vary depending on the temperature, humidity, and weather conditions, but generally, it takes about 24 to 48 hours for the sealcoat to fully cure.

During this time, it’s important to keep traffic off the surface. We’ll put up cones and signs to make sure cars don’t accidentally drive on the area before it’s ready. Walking on the surface should also be avoided until the sealcoat is fully cured.

For business owners, we understand the importance of minimizing downtime. We’ll work with you to schedule the sealcoating project during off-peak hours or on weekends to ensure minimal disruption to your operations.

Step 7: Inspect the Finished Surface

After the sealcoat has dried, we conduct a final inspection to make sure the surface looks great and is fully protected. We check for any missed spots, streaks, or uneven areas and ensure that the sealcoat has cured properly. If any touch-ups are needed, we’ll take care of them before reopening the area to traffic.

A freshly sealed driveway or parking lot not only looks fantastic but is now protected against the elements and everyday wear and tear. The sealcoat will enhance the appearance of your asphalt, making it look smooth and clean, and it will also prevent further damage from water, oil, and sun exposure.

 Step 8: Maintenance Tips After Sealcoating

While sealcoating provides excellent protection, regular maintenance is still important. To keep your asphalt in good shape, sweep away debris regularly, and avoid parking heavy vehicles on the surface during extreme heat. You should also plan to reseal your asphalt every 2-3 years to maintain its protection and appearance.

Sealcoating is a relatively low-cost way to extend the life of your asphalt, but regular upkeep will help ensure you get the most out of your investment.

Protect Your Asphalt Today!

Ready to give your driveway or parking lot the protection it needs? Sealcoating is one of the best ways to extend the life of your asphalt and keep it looking its best. Whether you’re managing a residential driveway or a large commercial parking lot, Green Street Blacktop can help you protect your investment with eco-friendly asphalt repair, sealcoating, and crack filling services.

As a women-owned business, we pride ourselves on delivering top-quality service with a focus on environmentally friendly solutions. Contact us today for a free quote or just a friendly conversation about how we can help maintain your asphalt.