In Somerset, PA and the nearby areas, our winter freeze-thaw cycles and summer heat can tear a asphalt driveway apart very quickly. Applying a sealcoat on the right schedule is one of the best ways to prevent cracking and get the full lifespan out of your driveway.
Sealcoat Schedule for Somerset, PA Driveways
Most residential asphalt driveways need a fresh protective layer every two to three years, generally speaking. High-traffic surfaces or those that are constantly exposed to full sun and/or get frequent salt use will need to be done every two years. Lighter-use driveways in partial shade can go closer to three years before the surface starts to show age.
How Does Our Climate Affect Things?
Here in Pennsylvania, our winters push the schedule toward the more frequent side for most people, and that’s important to know if you’re researching this subject, as you might be getting information from other parts of the country. In PA, we typically get plenty of rain in the fall, and some water always seeps into tiny surface openings in the asphalt. When winter comes, that water freezes, expands, and widens the openings. Each freeze-thaw cycle repeats the process.
What About Driveway Usage Patterns?
A driveway that has two cars and occasional deliveries is going to last longer between coats than one that has to handle constant coming and going from three or four SUVs or trucks. Delivery trucks, trailers, or turning movements concentrate stress in the same spots, and those areas thin out first.
Does Your Driveway Need It?
You can tell the surface is ready for help when you see a shift from deep black to dull gray in the color. Also, look at whether water has stopped beading on the surface and is instead soaking in. Watch for fine cracks in the tire paths or along the edges. When the aggregate starts to show clearly from ten feet away, the previous layer has worn too thin.
When’s the Best Time to Get It Done?
You need the air and surface temperatures to be above 50°F and rising, with no rain forecast for at least 24 to 48 hours, to lay down a coating. Late spring through early fall usually gives the longest stretch of suitable days. Just bear in mind that if the weather is cooler or damp, this prevents proper curing and can leave soft spots.
Keeping Things Looking New
You can lengthen the useful life of the entire pavement by combining regular sealing applications with simple cleaning. Sweep the surface on occasion, clean up any oil drips, keep the edges free of grass, and protect the surface from unusually heavy items when possible (like dumpster rentals, for example).
Contact us today at Laurel Asphalt for a free estimate from PA’s top-rated asphalt paving and maintenance company. We serve Johnstown, Somerset, Bedford, Windber, Altoona, and Ebensburg and beyond, as well as clients in West Virginia and Maryland. We’ve been serving Pennsylvania for over 25 years and are a PennDOT-approved contractor.
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