Sealcoating in Oshkosh, WI

Sealcoating is a liquid coating spread over asphalt to shield the binder from sun, air, water and chemicals. As that binder oxidizes, blacktop turns gray, loses fines and lets water in. A coat of sealer slows the aging and makes the surface easier to clean and plow. It does not add strength and will not fix heaves, ruts or a failed base, so we only recommend it for pavement that is structurally sound.

Why it helps here

Oshkosh winters bring around 39 inches of snow, road salt tracked onto driveways, and freeze-thaw cycles that work water into any open pore. Summers can be hot; the city's record high is 107 degrees. A sealed surface sheds water and resists salt and fuel better than a dry, open one.

Timing

Fresh asphalt needs to cure before it is sealed. HomeGuide recommends waiting 3 to 6 months after paving, then resealing on a cycle of roughly 2 to 10 years depending on product and conditions. For most driveways, every two to four years is plenty. A faded gray surface with exposed stone is the usual sign. Sealing too often builds a thick crust that peels.

Weather

Sealer needs dry pavement, no rain coming and temperatures roughly between 50 and 95 degrees, according to HomeGuide, with 12 to 72 hours before cars can drive on it. Near the lake, cool nights and morning dew slow curing, so we schedule midsummer days when possible and watch the forecast closely.

Prep work

• Edges trimmed and grass pulled back
• Surface swept and blown clean
• Oil and fuel spots scraped and primed
• Cracks cleaned and filled
• Hand-cut edges along garage slabs, walks and curbs
• Barricades placed until it cures

Business lots

Commercial lots are sealed in sections so part of the lot stays open, then restriped after the sealer cures. Plan sealing around big events; during EAA AirVenture week, lots near Wittman Regional Airport see far more traffic than usual.

Driveways near the lake

Lakeside driveways see more moisture, morning dew and shade from mature trees, all of which slow curing. We schedule those for warm, sunny stretches.

What sealing will not fix

Sealer is not a repair material. It will not level a dip, close a wide crack, stop a heave or hold together an area that is breaking up. If those problems are present, we tell you and quote the repair first. Sealing over failed pavement only makes it look better for a season.

How long a seal job takes

Most residential driveways are cleaned, repaired and sealed in a few hours, then closed for a day or more while the coat cures. We place barricades and leave care instructions, including when it is safe to walk, drive and park.