Driveways in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin face very harsh winter conditions. Property owners often wonder if it is time for a fresh coat of Asphalt Sealcoating. Champion Asphalt Company works throughout Dane County and neighborhoods like Smith's Crossing. Homeowners frequently ask common questions about Asphalt Sealcoating during local projects. It is important to know the facts before scheduling Asphalt Sealcoating for a residential driveway.
How often should you actually sealcoat a driveway?
Asphalt Sealcoating should typically be applied every 2 to 3 years. Some contractors might suggest applying Asphalt Sealcoating every single year, but that is unnecessary. Asphalt needs to breathe properly. Applying heavy coats of Asphalt Sealcoating too frequently causes the material to build up, crack, and peel off in sheets. Waiting 4 or 5 years leaves the binder exposed to the harsh local weather in Sun Prairie, which lets oxidation dry out the stone aggregate.
What time of year is best for the job?
Here in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Asphalt Sealcoating requires a specific weather window. Contractors cannot apply Asphalt Sealcoating when temperatures are freezing, and extreme heat in July is also not ideal. Late spring through early fall is the best time for Asphalt Sealcoating. Ground and air temperatures must consistently stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If a sudden autumn cold snap arrives overnight before the emulsion fully cures, the essential bond will fail.
How long do you have to stay off the fresh sealcoat?
Patience is very important after Asphalt Sealcoating is complete. Most commercial sealers feel dry to the touch within a few hours, depending on humidity and sunlight. Vehicles must stay off the pavement for a solid 24 to 48 hours. Walking on the fresh Asphalt Sealcoating after a few hours is fine, but vehicle tire torque will twist and mar soft sealer very quickly.
Can you sealcoat right over cracks and oil spots?
Applying Asphalt Sealcoating directly over cracks and oil spots is not effective. Sealcoating is designed to protect the surface from moisture and ultraviolet rays, not to act as a structural fix. Cracks larger than a quarter-inch need rubberized hot pour crack filler before Asphalt Sealcoating begins. Deep oil spills from a leaking car engine must be scrubbed and primed with a bonding agent. Otherwise, petroleum in the oil breaks down the new Asphalt Sealcoating and causes it to fail.
Does sealcoating make your driveway stop cracking entirely?
Asphalt Sealcoating will not stop the earth from moving underneath your pavement. The clay-heavy soils and brutal freeze-thaw cycles in Sun Prairie put immense stress on asphalt every single winter. Asphalt Sealcoating locks out water to prevent damage. When moisture gets trapped inside tiny surface voids and freezes, it expands and breaks the asphalt apart. Regular Asphalt Sealcoating keeps water out, which dramatically slows down major cracking and pothole formation.
Is DIY sealcoating from the hardware store worth it?
Homeowners can buy a bucket and a squeegee from a local hardware store for a weekend project, but consumer-grade water-based sealers are heavily diluted compared to what professional contractors use. Consumer products often wear off after a single season. Professional Asphalt Sealcoating uses coal tar or refined asphalt emulsions with polymer additives mixed in for flexibility and longevity, which provides much better resistance against snowplows and winter scraping.