New residential driveways covered with asphalt start out looking smooth and evenly colored. Sealing doesn't happen immediately after paving, but rather 90 days or more after pouring so that asphalt has time to fully cure. Yet you can't consider the installation finished until the sealant is on. If you forget about the sealing process and leave the asphalt driveway uncovered, you'll eventually experience a number of problems. Sealing is an important part of the installation of a new residential driveway installation, even if there's a delay required before it is applied.
Exposed and Porous Surface
New driveways feature relatively slick surfaces that shed water rather than letting it accumulate. Over time, wear from rain and sun exposure will cause the porosity of the asphalt surface to increase. This lets water soak through, increasing the likelihood of damage to both the surface and underlying base. For a new driveway that won't cause erosion issues a few years later, make sure to seal it from the beginning.
Loss of Color
Depending on the weather and sun exposure at your home's location, your new driveway could start looking faded and worn within a year or less. Sealing the asphalt preserves its color, especially if you live in an area with intense summer sun. Asphalt driveways that are shaded by trees will still fade unless they are sealed, although it may take a few more years for the effects to show. After the color fades, only a more intensive asphalt topping application will restore it.
Accumulation of Stains
Sealing as soon as possible after installation ensures the asphalt resists stains from oil spills, leaves, and more. Asphalt's dark color hides stains better than concrete, but both types of paved driveways are prone to staining over time. Keeping up on the sealing allows you to wash away messes without worrying about long-term marks. You have to seal before any staining occurs though since the coating won't hide most stains.
Cracks and Wear from Ice
The most serious form of damage that occurs to a newly installed driveway is cracking. Asphalt can become cracked even during its first winter if it isn't sealed. Pores and tiny openings let water seep through, then it freezes solid as ice and pushes the asphalt apart from the inside. Tiny cracks expand quickly. When more water washes through these openings, the problem worsens due to the base washing away underneath the driveway. Protect the material from the start with sealing as soon as the asphalt has completely hardened.
Share