Sealcoating in Allentown, PA

Sealcoating is a liquid coating applied over cured asphalt to protect it. In the Allentown area, driveway sealcoating is one of the most searched paving services, and for good reason. Asphalt is held together by a petroleum binder. Sun oxidizes that binder, which is why an old driveway turns gray and starts shedding stones. Water, oil drips and road salt carried in on tires speed the process up. A sealcoat puts a sacrificial layer on top so the binder underneath stays flexible.

What sealcoating does and does not do

Sealing slows down wear on good asphalt. It does not fix cracks, potholes or a failing base, and it will not level out a sunken area. Cracks need to be cleaned and filled first, and broken areas patched, or the seal just coats the damage. When a driveway is past sealing, we tell you.

Timing

New asphalt needs time to cure before it is sealed. HomeGuide recommends waiting three to six months after paving. After that, it suggests resealing every two to ten years depending on the product and conditions; heavily used driveways and lots in full sun need it more often. Sealer needs dry weather with temperatures of roughly 50 to 95 degrees, so in the Lehigh Valley the season runs from late spring into early fall. We watch the forecast closely because rain on fresh sealer washes it off.

How we apply it

• Edges trimmed and grass pulled back from the pavement
• Surface blown off, swept and washed where needed
• Oil spots treated so the sealer bonds
• Cracks cleaned and filled
• Sealer applied in two thin coats, with the first allowed to dry
• Driveway blocked off until it has cured

Cure time

HomeGuide lists 12 to 72 hours before driving and about one to three hours before walking, depending on temperature, humidity and shade. We tell you when it is safe to use the driveway based on the day's conditions. Keep sprinklers off the surface during that time.

Coal tar or asphalt emulsion

The two main sealer types are coal-tar sealers and asphalt-emulsion sealers. HomeGuide notes that asphalt polymer emulsion is the common choice for driveways and costs roughly $0.08 to $0.15 per square foot in materials. Emulsion sealers have less odor and are easier on skin and plants. We tell you which product we plan to use and why, and list it on the quote.

Salt and snow

Winter is hard on a driveway here: plows scrape the surface, shovels catch at edges and salt brine sits in every low spot. A fall sealcoat followed by crack filling gives the asphalt the best chance through the snow season. Plastic shovel blades and moving snow piles around rather than stacking them on one edge help too.