The best time to have your driveway sealed depends on a few factors. Temperature and climate as well as the age of the driveway and the length of time since the last time it was sealed are all things to consider.

Temperature and Climate

The current industry standard is any time when the temperature is consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius for at least 24 to 48 hours. Other wise the sealant might not bond with the asphalt properly.

For many areas of the US and Canada that means you can only have your driveway sealed from May to October. The southern states and some western areas may be able to have it done year round.

Most companies and sealant manufacturers do not recommend having your driveway sealed if there is rain in the forecast for the next 36-48 hours. This should allow enough time for the sealant to dry and adhere to the asphalt.

How often should you have your driveway sealed?

Technically you could have your driveway sealed every year if you wanted to. Although most of the time it isn’t really needed that often. There is some debate on just how often your driveway should be sealed.

At the time of this article the standard amount of time is every 3 years. Keep in mind that this all depends on the condition of the driveway itself. A well maintained driveway with little use could last 5-10 years before needing to be resealed again. An older driveway with higher traffic could need resealing every 2 years or less.

A good rule of thumb is to look at the length of the sealant manufactures warranty and have it resealed just before the warranty expires.

New Asphalt Driveways

Freshly laid asphalt driveways need time to cure and harden properly. It’s recommended that you wait at least 6 months before applying any seal coating products to your new driveway.