Frequently Asked Questions
Q- Do I need to do anything to prepare for my driveway or parking lot to be sealcoated?
A- If you fertilize your lawn or plantings, please don't fertilize for a week prior to our visit. Fertilizer products will discolor the sealer products. The pavement must be dry. Please don't hose off the parking lot or driveway in the 24 hours prior to sealcoating. Otherwise, just be sure that the work area is clear from all vehicles, toys, bikes, grills, etc. Also, be sure that your pets are either inside or secured away from the work area.
Q - Will you get rid of grass growing up through my driveway?
A- Our professionals will cut down the grass areas. However, without a regular spray of some type of weed killer, the grass will come back. Grass has the power to grow through the asphalt. It easily has the power to grow through sealer.
Q - What should I do to stop the grass from growing more into the asphalt?
A - Consistently use a weed killer such as Round-Up.
Q - When is the best time of the year to seal my driveway or parking lot?
A- Seal Pros generally does sealing work from April 1st through the end of October (give or take a couple of weeks). The outside temperature must be above 50 degrees in order for the sealing process to cure correctly.
Q - Does weather make a difference in the sealcoating process?
A- Yes. If it has rained the previous evening or if rain is in the forecast for the day scheduled for work, Seal Pros may call to reschedule your appointment. We generally call between 8:00-8:30am. We recognize this is an inconveience, but dry pavement is important to proper curing of the sealant. If it rains during or immediately after work and drying of the sealcoat is adversely affected, Seal Pros will take responsibility for any problem areas and correct them at our cost.
Q - How long does sealer have to be down before rain will damage it?
A - 4 to 8 hours
Q - How soon until you can walk on a driveway after seal coating?
A - Generally 6-8 hours, but your Seal Pros representative will advise you on the drying time for your particular job.
Q - How soon until you can drive on a driveway after seal coating?
A - Generally 24 hours, but your Seal Pros representative will advise you on the drying time for your particular job.
Q - Will leaves stick to the seal coating?
A - If leaves fall onto the driveway when it is wet, they may stick slightly. The wind or a broom, however, will take them off.
Q - My driveway (or parking lot) is brand new. Should it be sealed? If so, when?
A- It is recommended that a newly asphalted surface should be sealed within its first year, but no sooner than 60-90 days.
Q- How often should I seal my driveway or parking lot?
A- On average, every 2-3 years. Some poorly laid or older asphalt driveways need sealing every 1-2 years to prevent early cracking and pot holes. Cracks should be filled and repaired every year.
Q - How often should I fill the cracks in my driveway?
A - Yearly. The asphalt will continue to expand and contract with the warm and cold weather. Our professionals use top commerical products; however the filler cannot stop the asphalt from expanding and contracting. The crack filler will prolong the life of the asphalt by preventing water getting into the asphalt foundation.
Q - If I see cracks in my driveway, is it time to seal coat?
A - Cracks are a sign that the driveway is in need of mainteance and repair.
Q- There are a lot of cracks in my driveway. Can you still seal it?
A- Sealcoating is a preventive measure, but will not "fix" cracks. Cracks that are more than an 1/8 inch in width should be filled first. Seal Pros, Inc. will fill the cracks prior to sealcoating.
Q - Can sealer fill-in dips and depressions left in the asphalt?
A - No. If sealer is put on too thick it will never completely harden to produce the highest level of protection for asphalt. Our application provides a consistent level of thickness over the asphalt surface.
Q - How is the sealer applied?
A - All driveways are sealed using a brush application. All commerical parking lots are sprayed with two coats.
Q - What is the difference between applying sealant by spray or by brush?
A- For residential customers, sealant should be applied by brush. This is an important distinction when comparing services of sealing companies.
Q - Will sealer get on my brick or garage doors?
A - No. Our service professionals will make sure not to splatter any sealer on your concrete, brick or garage doors.
Q. What is "asphalt pavement"?
A. Asphalt pavement is usually approximately 95 percent aggregate, which could be stone, sand, or gravel, and 5 percent asphalt cement as a binder. The binder is a product of oil refining and acts to glue the aggregates together.
Q. My driveway looks pretty bad. Can it be fixed?
A. Whether you need to install a new driveway, or if you can get away with resurfacing or repairs, depends largely on the condition of the base layers, or foundation. However, if cracking covers 3/4 of the driveway, the surface is too far gone to repair. The root of the problems may come from lower down, and a complete overhaul should be considered.
A good rule of thumb is if 25% or more of your driveway has cracks then resurfacing with asphalt will be recommended. Each driveway is different and a Seal Pros, Inc. representative can assist you in making the right decision for your specific needs.
Q - You sealed my driveway and crack filler has settled and/or pulled away from the edge of some cracks. Is this normal?
A - Yes. The crack filler is expected to settle in cracks. More settling will occur in larger cracks.
Q - You sealed my driveway and I can see tire tracks. Is this normal?
A - Yes. This is a temporary situation due to the weight of vehicles moving the sand around. We add sand to our sealer to help fill in cracks and to produce an anti-skid surface. Rain and/or sweeping will take care of this issue within a week or two depending on the grade of the driveway.
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