Sealcoating puts a thin protective coat over asphalt to slow oxidation from sun and keep water, salt and oil from soaking in. It does not fix cracks, holes or a failing base. Cracks get filled first, the surface gets cleaned, and the sealer goes down only when the pavement and air are at least 50°F and rising, with no rain coming. Then the driveway stays closed to cars for about 24 hours.
What sealcoating actually does
Fresh asphalt is black because of the asphalt binder that holds the stone together. Over time the sun oxidizes that binder, the surface turns gray and brittle, and small stones start to loosen. Water, road salt and car fluids speed that up. Sealer is a thin coat that shields the binder underneath.
- It does: slow oxidation and drying, resist water, salt and oil, and restore the dark color.
- It does not: fill cracks, level dips, fix potholes or strengthen a weak base. Those need crack filling or repair first.
Driveway sealers are most commonly asphalt-emulsion products. ASTM D8099 is the standard specification for asphalt-emulsion pavement sealer.
The weather rule
Sealer cures by drying, so weather decides whether a sealcoat job lasts. The manufacturer guidance we follow is specific:
In Rochester that makes sealing a late-spring through early-fall job. Cool nights in October are the most common reason a fall sealcoat stays soft, so we watch the overnight forecast, not just the afternoon high.
How we seal a driveway
- Clean the surfaceDirt, sand, leaves and grass along the edges are blown and scraped off. Sealer bonds to clean asphalt, not to dust.
- Treat oil spotsOil and gas spots keep sealer from bonding, so they are cleaned and treated before sealing.
- Fill the cracks firstOpen cracks are filled with hot rubberized crack sealant so water cannot get under the new coat. Sealing over open cracks just paints them black.
- Cut in the edgesEdges along the garage, walkways and lawn are done by hand so the sealer stays on the driveway.
- Apply the sealerSealer goes on in thin, even coats by squeegee or spray. Each coat dries before the next one goes on.
- Block it offThe driveway is closed to cars until the final coat has had its 24 hours.
How often a Rochester driveway needs sealing
There is no single right calendar, and sealing too often causes problems of its own: layers build up, crack and peel. We look at the driveway instead. If the surface is turning gray, if small stones are starting to show and loosen, or if water no longer beads on it, it is due. If the last coat still looks dark and tight, it is not.
Rochester averages about 102 inches of snow a year, with roughly 27 inches in January alone (National Weather Service normals for 1991 to 2020). That means months of plows, shovels, road salt, and water that melts in the afternoon and refreezes overnight. Salt and plow traffic wear the coat fastest at the bottom of the driveway and along the edges, so those areas usually show it first.
After your driveway is sealed
- Keep cars off for 24 hours, longer if the weather turns cool or humid.
- Turn off sprinklers that hit the driveway for that day.
- For the first few weeks, avoid turning the steering wheel while parked, which can scuff a fresh coat.
- Expect the coat to look slightly different where cars park and turn. That is normal wear, not a defect.
Common questions
How long after sealing can I drive on my driveway?
The manufacturer guidance we follow calls for 24 hours before vehicle traffic on the final coat. Cool or humid weather slows drying, so we may ask you to wait longer. Walking on it is usually fine sooner, but expect to track sealer if you rush it.
What is sealcoating?
A thin coat of pavement sealer applied over asphalt to slow oxidation and keep water, salt and oil out. It is maintenance for the surface. It does not repair cracks or a weak base.
When should I seal a new asphalt driveway?
After it has cured. The sealer maker we follow calls for at least four weeks in ideal weather before sealing new pavement. Many new driveways are better off waiting until the following season.
How often should I seal my driveway?
When it needs it, not on a fixed schedule. Gray, dry asphalt with loosening stones is due. Sealing too often builds up layers that crack and peel.
Can you seal a driveway in the fall?
Yes, as long as the pavement and air stay at least 50°F and rising during the job and do not drop below 50°F for the next 24 hours. In Rochester that window closes as fall nights get cold.
Does sealing fill cracks?
No. Sealer is too thin to fill cracks. Cracks are filled with hot rubberized crack sealant first, then the driveway is sealed.
Related services
- Driveway Paving: New asphalt driveways built on a real base, graded to drain away from your house.
- Driveway Replacement: Tear-out and repave when cracking, sinking or crumbling is past repair.
- Parking Lot Sealcoating: Commercial sealcoating done in sections so your lot stays open.
- Asphalt Paving: Parking lots, private roads and commercial paving, including mill and overlay.