Sealcoating in St. Joseph, MO

Sealcoating is a thin protective coat over asphalt. Summer sun dries out and oxidizes the asphalt binder, turning the surface gray and brittle. Road salt, oil and gas soften it. Water seeps in and freezes. The sealer wears away in place of the pavement itself. HomeGuide lists driveway sealing at about $1 to $2 per square foot, and Angi puts the average job around $470.

Crack sealing comes first

Sealer does not fill cracks. Cracks are cleaned and filled with hot sealant first, and potholes or failed spots patched. Then the sealcoat protects sound pavement.

When to seal

• New asphalt: wait three to six months
• Then every few years
• Dry weather, roughly 50 to 95 degrees, no rain for a day

Around St. Joseph that usually means late May through September. Summer heat here is the season when oxidation does the most damage, so getting a coat on before July helps.

How we apply it

We edge grass back, clean the surface, prime oil spots and seal cracks. Sealer goes on in one or two coats with hand work along garages, walks and lawns. We block the area and tell you when you can walk and drive on it, usually 12 to 72 hours later depending on weather.

Sealer type

We use asphalt emulsion sealer. HomeGuide notes coal tar sealers are banned in many areas; we do not use them.

Lots

Commercial and church lots are sealed in sections and restriped right after, since sealer covers the old lines.

Signs it is time

• The surface is gray instead of black
• Loose stones are showing on top
• Rain soaks in instead of beading
• Hairline cracks are appearing
• Oil spots have softened where cars park

Sealing at this stage costs a fraction of resurfacing later.

Steep driveways

On steep driveways, sealer can run toward the bottom before it sets. We apply thinner coats on slopes and work from the top down so coverage stays even, and we may add sand for traction where the grade is steep.