Sealcoating your asphalt pavement is one of the best ways to protect it from external elements, as well as from oil and gas spills. In addition, asphalt sealcoating helps to make surfaces slip-resistant—but only when applied correctly.
If you are new to asphalt sealcoating, this post is for you. For your asphalt sealcoating to be effective, it must be applied correctly and given the required amount of time to dry. Failing to give your pavement the recommended time to dry can make it fail to adhere to the pavement, thus making it less effective. In this post, we shall discuss the time it takes for asphalt to dry and the factors that affect the drying time. In addition, we shall discuss the best time to sealcoat your asphalt pavement.
Read on for more information.
When is the Best Time to Apply Asphalt Sealcoating?
The best time to apply asphalt sealcoating is during the summer season when the temperatures are between 80 and 90 degrees F. Summer is usually hot and sunny, which creates the perfect environment for the sealcoat to dry quickly. However, you can also apply asphalt sealcoating in spring and fall.
When applying asphalt sealcoating, following the manufacturer’s instructions is important. Depending on the manufacturer’s instructions, it will take two and eight hours for the sealcoat to dry.
How Long Does Asphalt Sealcoating Take to Dry?
The time for asphalt sealcoating to dry varies depending on several factors. These include:
Temperature
Asphalt sealcoating dries faster in hot and sunny weather than cold and cloudy weather. If you are sealcoating your pavement during the summer, it will take two and four hours for the sealcoat to dry. However, if you are sealcoating your pavement during spring or fall, it will take four and eight hours for the sealcoat to dry.
Wind Speed
The faster the wind speed, the quicker the sealcoat will dry. If you are sealcoating your pavement on a windy day, it will take two and four hours for the sealcoat to dry. However, if you are sealcoating your pavement on a calm day, it will take four and eight hours for the sealcoat to dry.
Thickness of Sealer
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying asphalt sealer. Depending on the manufacturer’s instructions, it will take between two and eight hours for the sealcoat to dry. If you use a thick layer of asphalt sealer, it will take longer to dry than a thin layer.
Type of Sealer
Depending on the type of sealer you use, it will take two and eight hours for the sealcoat to dry. There are two types of asphalt sealers: coal tar-based sealers and asphalt-based sealers. Coal tar-based sealers take longer to dry as compared to asphalt-based sealers.
Quality of the asphalt
The quality of the asphalt also affects the drying time. If you have a high-quality asphalt pavement, it will take less time for the sealcoat to dry than low-quality asphalt pavement.
Traffic volume
The traffic volume can also affect the time it takes for a newly sealed asphalt pavement to dry. This is because cars can spread dirty on the surface, which can add to the water required for evaporation. Besides, constant traffic increases heat because of friction, which also speeds up the drying process.
Humidity
The level of humidity in the air also affects the drying time. If the air is humid, it will take longer for the sealcoat to dry than if the air is dry.
According to the experts from CSG Sealcoating, Tampa, it takes an average of 30 minutes for asphalt sealcoating to dry if it’s applied on a sunny, windy day. However, it’s humid or raining, the sealcoating might take longer to dry. Besides, you should prevent any foot or motor traffic from accessing the newly paved surface until it cures completely, as this can affect its effectiveness.
Your newly sealed driveway should take 24 – 48 hours to dry completely. That’s when you should open it for foot and vehicle traffic. If you want to add an extra layer of sealer, you shouldn’t do it before 60 days after your initial application.
