A freshly sealcoated asphalt in your driveway.

How Do You Care For a Freshly Sealcoated Asphalt Driveway?

When you sealcoat your asphalt driveway, you create a protective barrier that safeguards the asphalt from water damage, sun exposure (UV light), rain, snow, and the expansion of ice during the winter. This is important, as a non-sealcoated asphalt driveway that is exposed to the elements will eventually weaken and crack, forcing you to repair it. To avoid this and maintain that like-new look, here are some tips on how to care for your freshly sealcoated asphalt driveway. A Freshly Sealcoated Asphalt Driveway

  1. Keep Vehicles Off Of It! The first care tip is to keep vehicles off of your freshly sealcoated asphalt driveway for at least 48-hours during the summer months (May-August), and for 72-hours during the autumn months (Sept-November). Sealcoating acts like paint, in that it dries from the top down, so even if it feels dry on the surface, the underneath could still be wet. If your driveway gets shade, allow for additional drying time.
  2. Avoid Tight or Sharp Turns. An abundance of caution is recommended when making tight turns on a freshly sealcoated asphalt driveway. Not only can sharp turns cause tire tracking, which only disappears with oxidation and time, but you can also get power steering scuffs on the sealcoating layer if you turn your wheel while your vehicle is sitting in place. If you have to turn your vehicle around, either back straight up off the driveway (or pull out of the driveway), and turn around off the driveway or, move forward and backward in a straight line until you’re turned around (3-pt turn style).
  3. Thinking About Cleaning With Citrus? Don’t. Citrus-based cleaners are acidic and can eat away at the sealcoating layer, causing it to degrade prematurely. If you must clean your freshly sealcoated asphalt driveway, use non-citrus based cleaners that don’t contain bleach, as bleach can also damage the sealcoat. Avoid using a power washer as this can strip away the top layer. Instead, opt for a gentle hose spray or a broom to remove debris.
  4. Immediately Handle Oil & Fuel Spills. If you have an oil or fuel spill on your sealcoated asphalt driveway, clean it up immediately. Not only will it be unsightly, but oil and fuel will eat away at the sealant, causing it to degrade quickly. Use an absorbent material (kitty litter, sawdust, etc.) to soak up the spill, then sweep it away and wash the area with a non-citrus based cleaner.
  5. Say No To Heavy Construction Equipment or Vehicles. If you have a construction project underway or are expecting the delivery of a large piece of equipment, it’s best to keep it off your sealcoated asphalt driveway entirely. The weight of the equipment or vehicle can strip away the sealant, and cause indentations or cracks to form in the sealcoated layer, requiring you to repair it.

If you have any questions about asphalt paving or sealcoating, feel free to reach out to us at D & C Orlando Parking Lot Maintenance – we’re always happy to help! Give us a call at (407) 618-9646 or contact us through our website.

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