What Time of Year Is Best to Seal a Driveway
SealMaster says driveway sealer needs temperatures above 50°F during application and for at least 24 hours afterward, with no rain forecast in that window. Because that 24-hour window includes the night, the overnight low matters as much as the afternoon high. New asphalt has to cure first: at least 30 to 60 days per SealMaster, several months per the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association.
Temperature
SealMaster's instructions say temperatures must be above 50°F both during application and for a period of at least 24 hours after; its FAQ puts it as 50 degrees and rising for a 24-hour period. Because that window runs overnight, a warm afternoon followed by a cold night does not meet it.
Rain
SealMaster says not to apply sealcoating if rain is imminent or forecast within a 24-hour period.
New driveways wait
SealMaster says new asphalt should cure a minimum of 30 to 60 days before sealing. The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association says not to apply sealer until the driveway is at least several months old.
Keep reading
Sources
- SealMaster, E-Z Stir Pavement Sealer, application instructions
- SealMaster, Sealcoating FAQ
- Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association (via the Asphalt Institute), “Best Practices” for the Use of Asphalt Driveways, Technical Brief
Frequently Asked Questions
SealMaster says temperatures must be above 50°F during application and for at least 24 hours after.
SealMaster says not to apply sealcoating if rain is imminent or forecast within 24 hours.