What To Do When It Rains After Sealcoating Your Driveway

Sealcoating a driveway is essential in maintaining the surface and making it look aesthetically pleasing. However, sealcoating takes time to cure and dry before it is exposed to water again. Read on and learn what measures you must take should it rain soon after applying a new sealcoat.

It is advisable to wait out light rain, if possible

– If the rain is slight or occurs in brief intervals immediately after sealcoating, the recommended course of action is to wait, if possible. A short spotty or light rain probably will not harm the fresh sealcoat if the exposure period is not long.

– If it remains rainy for a long time, it is advisable to act to ensure that the driveway is protected. Thus, even light showers that may not wash the sealcoat away can cause it to deteriorate over time when applied to new surfaces.

Cover the Driveway

– If steady rain comes shortly after sealcoating, it is essential to cover the portions of the driveway that remain exposed. This helps to protect the newly applied sealcoat as it dries.

– It is recommended to use large tarps or plastic sheeting that can cover the width of the driveway fully. If required, one should overlap many sheets to ensure the surface is fully shielded or covered. Put down weights or blocks to make it heavy so that the tarps will not fly away.

Divert Water Flow

– Avoid letting water accumulate on the driveway as often as possible, especially during rains. When dealing with the flowing water, you can block and divert it to the sides using boards, sandbags, etc.

– This prevents large volumes of water from putting pressure on the freshly applied sealcoat. Another reason is that water in motion can scoop up sand and other materials that can scratch the surface.

If Sealcoat Gets Wet…

– Do not operate vehicles and refrain from walking on areas that have been sealcoated until they are dry. It takes one to two days, provided the weather conditions are good.

– Pedestals and wheeled traffic can transport sealcoat material or imprint textures onto the surface that you need to maintain smoothness. Driving also forces the debris into the soft sealcoat.

Possible Problems That May Arise Due to Early Rain on Sealcoat

– If there is heavy rain within approximately 6 hours of applying the sealcoat, you may observe some issues when it dries. In this case, the curing and bonding process is not allowed to complete its cycle, being that it has been interrupted.

– Possible problems are chalking, checking, cracking, surface abrasion, and stains from dirt and dust, usually in areas where tires have left imprints. The sealcoat may require significant maintenance or complete recoating.

Power Washing After Rain

If your driveway has been recently sealcoated, do not power wash it immediately after a rainstorm; instead, wait for a day or two to let the surface of the driveway dry. When pressure washing, ensure you use a pressure washer that has a pressure of between 3,000 PSI and 4,000 PSI since applying higher pressure might end up damaging the new sealant.

– Choose a fan tip nozzle and ensure that the nozzle is positioned at least 8 inches above the driveway while washing it; direct the stream at 45 degree angle and in a steady motion along the driveway. Overlap extends to several inches to guarantee adequate coverage of the adjacent strip. Wash thoroughly so that there is no formation of soap scum which hinders the curing process. Do not shoot towards the edges, because most of the new sealant is always at the edges and thus more likely to fail. Make the second pass slightly closer and more deliberate near the edges.

When to Reapply Sealcoat After Rain Damage

– It it rains approximately 6 hours after applying the sealcoat, be prepared to resurface problem areas or the entire driveway. This ensures that you receive the protective advantage of sealing.

– Do not sealcoat immediately after the previous coat because it takes at least 30 days for the sealcoat to cure. This will enable the correct formation and setting of the reapplied sealant on the existing structure.

Staging the Surface Before Re-tinning

– It is good practice to sweep the floor and power wash the driveway before sealing rain-damaged areas. This clears away all the debris, dirt, and flaking bits of sealcoat that were on the surface of the pavement.

– For larger chips or sections that are loose and peeling, it may be necessary to use a scraper, putty knife, or wire brush to scrape away the sealcoat. This results in the new application having a clean bonding surface.

Procedures for Applying the Sealcoat Again

– The only time damaged areas should be re-sealed is when the damages are restricted and easily identifiable. Replace the whole driveway if there are signs that it was affected by rain. Painting specific areas here and there simply does not work well.

– When ready to recoat the surface, use the new sealcoat in the same manner as the first. Use a long and smooth draw with slight inter-segmental overlap for impressions. It is essential to maintain the evenness and thickness of the coating.

– If the first sealcoat had an anti-slip agent added, then spread sand over it. Sand type and its application should match.

Measures to be Taken in the Event of Wet Weather During New Sealcoat

– If steady rains or severe weather are expected within the first few days after scheduling the sealcoat application, rescheduling is advisable. This provides the sealcoat with enough dry days to set up sufficiently.

– It is advisable to ensure that big tarps or plastic sheets are available to cover the driveway in case of early rain. This enables you to cover the new sealcoat in the shortest time possible if there is a need to do so.

– Do not sealcoat during the late fall for those who live in a region with cold climates. The sealcoat has to dry properly before freezing weather conditions.

Measures Taken After Sealcoating During Severe Weather

– If there is a possibility for hefty rain, hail, or sand/debris to blow onto freshly sealed surfaces, then contact the sealcoating company. This level of exposure certainly must degrade the sealcoat down to the pavement.

– These severe weather events can emboss textures, cause cracks, erode, and peel up large areas of the uncured seal coat. In areas most severely affected, it may be necessary to reapply all over again.

This is because appropriate planning and a prompt response help prevent the problems associated with wet weather after sealcoating. Protect the newly applied sealcoat in the first few hours and days because rainwater may wash away the layer. Deal with any damage later through power washing, scraping, or re-sealing, depending on what will make your driveway look best.