Is Sealcoating Worth It? What It Does and Doesn't Do

Is sealcoating worth it? For an asphalt driveway that is still structurally sound, a thin protective coat every few years can help the surface hold up to sun, water and spills, and it makes the driveway look new. It is not a repair, though. Sealer will not fix base failures, deep cracks or potholes, and sealing too often can cause its own problems. Whether it pays off depends on the shape of your driveway and how you do it.

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What sealcoat does

Shields the surface. Sun and air slowly harden and gray the asphalt binder at the surface. A fresh coat takes that wear instead.
Sheds water. It tightens a weathered surface so less water soaks into fine cracks and pores.
Resists spills. Many sealers help against gas and oil drips, although no coat makes asphalt immune.
Looks better. A uniform black surface is the reason many people seal, and that is a fair reason.

What sealcoat does not do

It does not add strength. The coat is very thin. It does not make the pavement thicker or carry more weight.
It does not fill cracks. Cracks need crack filler first; sealing over them only hides them for a while. See sealcoat over cracks.
It does not fix soft spots or alligator cracking. Those point to base or drainage problems. See alligator cracking repairs and soft spots.

When sealcoating is usually worth it

A driveway that is a few years old and in good shape, with only small, filled cracks and a faded surface. See faded asphalt driveway.
After new asphalt has had time to cure. Fresh asphalt is usually left unsealed for a while; when to sealcoat a brand-new driveway covers the wait.
When you also fill the cracks. Crack filling plus sealer is the combination that does the most good.

When to skip it or spend the money elsewhere

The driveway is failing. Widespread alligator cracking, potholes and sinking areas mean repair or replacement first. See when a driveway is too far gone to seal and repair or replace.
It was sealed recently and still looks fine. Too many coats build up and can peel; see sealer buildup.
Local rules limit coal tar sealers. Some places restrict them; see coal tar sealer rules.

DIY or hire it out

DIY sealing costs mainly sealer, a squeegee or brush, crack filler and a free weekend. Use the sealer calculator to estimate gallons. A contractor brings commercial sealer, spray or squeegee equipment and cleanup; see asphalt driveway sealcoating cost for how quotes are built. Either way, weather matters: see minimum temperature for sealcoating.

How often

Many homeowners seal every two to four years rather than every year, depending on traffic, sun and how the surface looks. How often to sealcoat goes into the signs to watch.

Questions people ask

Does sealcoating actually extend the life of asphalt?

It protects the surface from sun, water and spills, which helps slow surface wear, especially when cracks are filled first. It does not add strength or fix base problems.

Is it worth sealing an old driveway?

If it is still solid with only minor cracks, sealing and crack filling can help. If it has widespread alligator cracking or potholes, repair or replacement comes first.

How often should a driveway be sealcoated?

Many homeowners seal every two to four years depending on traffic and weather. Sealing every year can cause buildup and peeling.

Can sealcoating hurt my driveway?

Applied too thick, too often, or in poor weather, it can peel, stay tacky or look patchy. Thin coats in good weather avoid most problems.

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