Asphalt sealcoating is a common way of protecting asphalt pavement from the sun, wind, rain, and other harsh elements. The sealant prevents moisture from penetrating into the asphalt, which can cause it to break down and become unusable over time. Thus, it’s vital to sealcoat your asphalt pavement so it can last a long time.

But what happens after you sealcoat? After installing seal coating on your property’s asphalt surface, you will need to take care of it. What are the best practices and aftercare tips property owners should follow to keep their sealant in good shape?

If you are looking for sealcoating aftercare tips and best practices, this article will give you the information you require to properly care for your asphalt sealant. We recommend that property owners follow these tips to prevent the sealant from breaking prematurely:

• Keep all plants away from the sealcoated area for at least six weeks after application, as the plants and plant roots can damage the sealant.

• Do not leave water standing on the sealcoated surface.

• Avoid walking or driving on the sealcoated area until it dries completely. The time it takes for the sealant to dry depends on the outside temperature. Heat is helpful for the curing process. If you’re unsure how long to wait, use a thermometer and compare the outside temperature to the information provided below.

• If it’s above 60 degrees, it will take 24 hours.
• If it’s 50 degrees, it will take 36 hours.
• If it’s 45 degrees, it will take 48 hours.
• If it’s below 45 degrees outside, we do not recommend that you sealcoat.

• Watering your newly sealed pavement is a great way to help cure the sealer, especially during summer months. Here is what you need to do:
• Water the sealed surface in the same evening or the next morning after sealcoating is performed, when the sun is no longer hitting the pavement.
• Use a watering hose to sprinkle the water.
• Cover at least 80% – 90% of the surface, targeting main walk areas.

• Ice and snow can make the pavement slippery, but we strongly advise against using common de-icer products on your sealcoated surface. De-icing chemicals and pellets break down the durability of your driveway by eating away at the sealer. However, you do need to prepare your pavement for winter beforehand. The best way to protect your driveway in the winter is to use sand. Spread generous amounts of sand across the driveway before the first big snow of the season. Your driveway will essentially become a beach during the cold winter months. This solution provides considerable traction while protecting the sealer from breaking down.

As you can see, there are several tips and best practices that property owners in Mt. Laurel, NJ, should follow to get the most out of their asphalt sealcoating. To learn more about these or any other vital aspects of pavement protection, be sure to contact Garden State Paving & Seal Coating, LLC today to get your free quote on our services! We’ll answer all your questions and provide some helpful information so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to protect your own asphalt.