Asphalt is a durable, cost-effective solution for any paved surface, from commercial parking lots to residential asphalt driveways. But just as with any paving material, periodic maintenance is required to keep this kind of driveway in great shape — which usually includes the application of sealcoating.

Spallina Materials is a family-owned and -operated company based in Mount Morris, NY, that provides materials for asphalt paving projects throughout western New York. Below, they offer three tips for sealcoating your asphalt driveway.

3 Tips For Sealcoating Your Asphalt Driveway

1. Repair Cracks & Potholes

Sealcoating is engineered as a surface treatment for asphalt and is not meant to fill in cracks or potholes. If your asphalt driveway has developed any structural defects since the last time you had it repaved, you’ll want to carefully patch these before sealcoating.

A variety of materials are available for patching structural problems in asphalt driveways, including liquid crack filler for thinner cracks and blacktop patch for potholes. Wait until any patches have had time to set before you move on to sealcoating.

2. Check The Weather

To cure correctly, sealcoating requires fairly specific weather conditions. The blacktop should be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit, with the air around it the same and, ideally, temperatures rising. In the summer, sealcoating shouldn’t be done if the asphalt temperature is over 90 degrees.

Rain is a major problem for sealcoating while it is first curing, so make sure you’ll be working on a sunny day. Rain within eight hours of application can completely ruin your sealcoating efforts.

3. Apply Several Thin Coats

The most common technique for applying sealcoating is to squeegee one strip of sealcoating across your driveway at a time, usually in strips three feet deep. Because this can be time-consuming, it may be tempting to apply a single, thick coat. Unfortunately, this is likely to result in unsightly streaks and an incompletely sealed driveway. Always sealcoat using at least two thin coats for more complete and even coverage.

Most homeowners can handle sealcoating themselves with some elbow grease. But for more serious asphalt paving jobs or new asphalt driveways, you’ll need to contact a large-scale asphalt provider like Spallina Materials. If you need asphalt delivered to your job site in western New York, including the Rochester and Southern Tier area, visit their website or call (585) 658-2248 today. You can also find the company on Facebook.