Applying a driveway sealer to your concrete has many benefits. It will fight off oil spills and leaks and prevent water, air, and sunlight from destroying your asphalt. That’s why it’s recommended to seal your concrete often.
However, some people don’t seal their concrete very well and end up regretting it after a short while. One of the usual mistakes that people make is using the driveway before the sealer dries appropriately. The time it takes the sealer to dry depends on the weather and location.
For instance, a driveway enclosed between trees and buildings will take a slightly longer time to dry than a driveway in the open and receiving direct sunlight. If you want to know what duration it will take for your driveway sealer to dry, continue reading.
What duration does it take for the driveway sealer to dry?
If you apply the driveway sealer during summer, it will dry quicker than any other time of the year. This is because there’s full sunlight exposure, which is vital for drying the sealer. And if you don’t have trees or buildings around shielding the sun, your driveway should be dry in 24 hours.
Apart from that, you can drive on your sealed asphalt within 24 hours, but it’s recommended to drive your car on it after 48 hours.
If the weather is humid, cool, or cloudy, it may take slightly longer to dry. As a result, you should give your asphalt driveway another day to dry. Therefore, you should give it at least 48 before you can start walking on it. And if you want to drive on the sealed asphalt, you should wait for at least 72 hours to be sure.
Even though most driveway sealers will dry within two to three days or between 24 to 48 hours, it will take an additional 30 days to seal correctly. That’s why you need to take good care of your driveway after sealing it. Please protect it from oil spillage, harsh chemicals, or even turning tires while the car is parked. This will ensure that it not only dries properly but as well as seals properly for longevity.
When is the right time of the day to seal my parking lot?
Besides knowing how long the driveway sealer takes to dry, it’s also essential to know the day’s right time to apply the sealer.
- If you’re a homeowner, you need to apply the sealer when there’s no traffic. For instance, if you’ve a car parked in a garage, you won’t be able to drive it until the sealer is dry. Also, you will have to apply the sealer at a time when people least use the driveway. Additionally, you may be forced to close off sections of the driveway until the sealer dries.
- If you want to seal your businesses’ driveway, you will have to choose the appropriate time. Some businesses decide to seal off some sections until they finish. However, most businesses are busy during the day; thus, they seal the driveway at night. But if you usually close on weekends, this is the best time to seal your asphalt driveway.
From the above two comparisons, it’s clear that there’s no best time to seal the driveway. It will vary according to your preferences and schedule. Some homeowners may decide to seal their driveways at night while others during the day. Just make sure you select the right time to avoid disturbance and ensure that the sealer dries well.
What’s the procedure for preparing the application of driveway sealer?
Step 1: You have to start by cleaning up your driveway. This enables proper inspection to take place. Use a push broom to remove leaves and other debris on the surface. Next, use a garden hose or pressure washer to rinse the driveway and remove dirt, grit, and sand. If the driveway is excessively dirty, use a concentrated asphalt cleaner to clean the driveway.
Step 2: Examining your driveway before sealing is crucial. It will help you know what area needs feeling and repair. You will also come across small cracks and large cracks that you will have to seal. Note that you cannot use a sealer to fill gaps or holes in the driveway.
Step 3: If you examine the driveway and come across cracks or holes, you will have to seal them. Use a crack filler to seal-coat these holes before applying a sealer. A sealer alone won’t be of great help as the cracks will come to hunt you after a short while.
Step 4: Inspect the driveway after cleaning it. Make sure that it’s dry before applying a sealer. Keep a keen eye on the parts of the driveway that are under a shade. They may take longer to dry and will also delay drying after applying a sealer.
Step 5: You can now apply a driveways sealer of your choice. Note that using a driveway sealer regularly is very important. Not only will it protect your concrete, but it will also beautify the driveway and make it look appealing.
Final Thoughts
It will take around 24 hours for the driveway sealer to dry in sunny weather, while in a wet or cool, or humid climate, you may have to wait up to 48 hours. Don’t walk or drive on a driveway you’ve just sealed. The best time to seal your driveway is during summer, as it dries quickly. If you decide to seal in fall or later, you may have to wait for at least 72 hours before your driveway dries.
We hope the best as you attempt to protect and improve the appearance of your driveway using an asphalt sealer.
