The Best Time of Year for Sealcoating Asphalt

Sealcoating is an extremely important maintenance task for the longevity of asphalt. Without it, the asphalt will quickly break down and wear faster than it should. That’s why you should sealcoat regularly. But be careful, as you should only sealcoat your asphalt at the proper time of year to prevent improper sealing that makes it pointless to use sealcoating.

Ideal Temperature

The first thing you should know about picking the right time to sealcoat is that it primarily depends on the temperature. Sealcoating needs warmer temperatures to properly settle on your asphalt, and lower temperatures can ruin the process and prevent proper sealing. The ideal temperature for laying down the sealcoat is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Clear Weather

The temperature isn’t the only factor you need to consider when applying sealcoating. Clear weather is important as water can prevent the sealcoat from curing. You want to use sealcoating when it hasn’t rained in a day, and it won’t rain hard afterward for at least 24 hours. Otherwise, the water will ruin most asphalt sealcoating products as the water washes it away and pokes holes in the coating.

Spring, Summer, or Fall

The best time to sealcoat is when the temperatures will remain above 50 degrees for a 24-hour period and there isn’t any rain in the forecast. Sealcoat professionals can find many days in each season (except winter) to apply a quality coat of sealer.

When you time the sealcoating for a good day, you can quickly get your asphalt back to its best condition and protect it from more harm as people use it. Sealcoating is important for pavement because it saves you money and keeps your return on investment strong as the years go on.