Temperature affects the sealcoating and how well it works, a lot more than you think. Whether it’s too hot or too cold, the weather can seriously impact how the sealant bonds to your asphalt and how quickly it dries.
The best time to book professional driveway sealing is when the temperature outside is between 15°C and 27°C, since this lets the sealant bond properly, giving you that smooth finish you want.
When it's too hot, the sealant can dry too quickly, making it be uneven, while cold weather slows the drying process and doesn't let it bond properly. So, getting the timing right is key to making sure your driveway gets the protection it needs.
Optimal Temperature for Sealcoating
With how the temperature affects the sealcoating, the best time to do this job is when it's between 15°C and 27°C. When the temperature is within that range, the sealant applies well and dries just right.
The surface will dry in about 12 hours, so your driveway is all fixed in no time. It's really the ideal weather if you want the job to be done well, where the sealant can adhere well and give you that sleek, shiny finish without any hiccups.
Sealcoating in Hot Weather (Above 27°C)
Effects:
Now, if it’s too hot outside, things get a bit tricky. The extra heat makes the top layer of the sealant dry really quickly, which seems nice but it can lead to the problem where underneath it's still too soft. This can create an uneven cure, which means problems like cracking or peeling in the future.
Plus, this problem can make it even more difficult to spread the sealant evenly, and you'll be left with a streaky or patchy appearance on your driveway. And no one wants their driveway to look uneven after all of that work!
Curing Time:
Even if the surface does seem to dry faster in hot conditions, the lower sealant layers still take time to dry. It can take up to as long as 24 to 48 hours for all layers of the sealant to fully harden, so don't be misled by how quickly it dried up. You'll need to give the entire job enough time to dry up and fully harden, before you start driving over it.
Sealcoating in Cold Weather (Below 15°C)
Effects:
Now, on the other hand, when it’s too cold, the opposite happens. The sealant cures and dries more slowly, which is not the best since it leaves the job more vulnerable to being disturbed for longer.
Materials like debris, water, or even the traffic in your driveway could compromise the curing and cause soft areas or uneven patches. The lower temperature affects the sealcoating by preventing it not to bonding well to the asphalt, making it last shorter.
Curing Time:
In cooler weather, just like when it's too hot, the time it takes to cure can take as long as 24 to 48 hours, with some other factors you need to consider, like how humid it is, or how much sunlight the job is exposed to.
So, even though it might seem like you’ve finished the job, the looks can be misleading, and the sealant might still need extra time to set before it’s fully ready.
Why Temperature Matters
Adhesion and Durability:
Understanding how temperature affects the sealcoating is very important for a job done well. When the temperature sits in that perfect range of 15°C to 27°C, the sealant bonds to the asphalt properly, which is what gives you that strong, durable layer of protection.
It’s like the sealant and the asphalt are the perfect team, working hand in hand to defend your driveway against the elements.
Appearance:
Obviously, if the temperature affects the sealcoating, it's also going to impact how your driveway looks when you’re done. If it’s too hot or too cold, you might end up with a finish that’s streaky or uneven, making it look worse than when you started.
But when the temperature is just right, you'll get results that will really boost your curb appeal and make your home stand out.
Our Professional Recommendation
Here at AHS, we always recommend sealing your driveway when the temperatures fall in that ideal range. When we see that the weather's too warm or too chilly, we'll help you schedule the best time to get the job done.
That way, you can have peace of mind that the job will be done properly, the sealant will cure like it should, and your driveway will have the protection it deserves.
So, if you're ready to seal your driveway, or if you want to know when the best time is to do it, give us a call. We're here to take care of the details and make your driveway look fantastic for years to come!
Why not book luxury driveway sealing service to extend the life of your driveway even more?
