Sealcoating and Paving FAQs

Celebrating 50 Years of Service | Free Estimates | In Business Since 1972

Celebrating 50 Years of Service

Free Estimates

In Business Since 1972

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Harris Paving FAQs

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call Harris Paving. We are more than happy to help.

Sealcoat FAQs

  • What is sealcoat and what can it do for my asphalt driveway?

    Sealcoat is a thin protective coating sprayed on asphalt that helps to protect the binder from rain, U.V. rays, and chemicals that will damage the pavement. Regular sealcoating will help protect the asphalt, filling any hairline cracks that may be present. It also helps to prevent the pavement from becoming dried and porous.

  • Can sealcoat fix my driveway?

    The short answer is no. Think of sealcoat as a fresh coat of paint in your living room. It can improve the room's appearance, but it can not fix any cracks or holes in the drywall, much like large cracks or broken-up areas in your driveway. Sealcoat can help to protect the area from the elements and future damage, but it can not fix any existing damage. 

  • Can hot tar fix my driveway?

    Hot tar offers a solution for a few cracks, however, too much tar may lead to a messy situation. If you have broken up or "alligated" areas, hot tar will not fix that. It is costly and over time it will seem as though it disappeared, falling through the cracks. Too much tar may actually cause further damage to your driveway. 


    Please be advised that once the temperatures begin to rise up, your hot tar will heat up again and can stick to your tires. It can pull the tar up, and possibly even broken pieces of your driveway with it! 

  • If I sealcoat my driveway regularly, does that mean it won’t crack?

    While sealcoat does offer additional protection from the elements, it does not guarantee that there will never be a crack. After your driveway is paved and sealed, the ground beneath the pavement will continue to shift during the seasons' freezing and thawing, which can result in cracks that are out of your control. 


    If you do notice cracks in the spring from the thaw, hot tar may be used to fill those areas to keep them from growing.

  • How long should my pets and I stay off of my newly sealcoated driveway?

    It is recommended that you stay off of your driveway for 24-48 hours. After 24 hours, you and your pets may walk across the driveway, but it is recommended that you do not drive on the driveway for at least 36 hours.

  • How long does it take for my newly sealed driveway to dry?

    In ideal weather conditions, the drying will only take several hours. However, just because it is dry enough on the top to walk on does not mean it is cured. There is a small amount of liquid trapped in the sealer and curing is the evaporation of all liquid from the sealer. The drier and hotter the weather, the quicker the sealcoat will cure. However, the more humid and wet it is, the longer it will take.

  • Can I drive on a driveway that is not fully cured?

    Yes, you can certainly drive on your driveway. After 36 hours, it will be cured to 95% and you will not hurt the sealcoat. The last 5% to reach 100% cured will take the longest.

  • I’ve noticed that I’m leaving tire marks on my new pavement. Is there something wrong?

    Nothing is wrong. This is a normal part of the process. The marks left by your tires will run themselves out and disappear. It’s just like freshly paved asphalt. Those tire marks will disappear. Once your driveway has achieved 100% cure, it will no longer mark.

  • Is there anything I can do to avoid marking the driveway before it is 100% cured?

    Yes, try to avoid turning your tires hard or turning the wheels while the vehicle is not moving. Again, if you do leave marks, they will eventually go away.

Paving FAQs

  • How long until I can drive on my newly paved driveway?

    On mild days, you can drive on it for 24 hours. However, if it is exceptionally hot outside, it is advised that you wait longer, as the pavement will still be soft. Always exercise caution on those extra hot summer days.

  • How long does it take for my newly paved driveway to cure?

    It may take up to 24 months for your driveway to fully cure. During that time, it will remain somewhat soft and pliable.

  • How long until I can walk on my new driveway?

    You may walk on the driveway immediately. However, automobile traffic must keep off of it for at least two full days or longer.

  • When should I sealcoat my new driveway and how often?

    It is recommended that you seal your new driveway the summer following the paving and then every other summer after that. Sealcoat protects the driveway from the elements as well as gas and oil spills that may occur.

  • Can I put salt on the driveway in the winter?

    Absolutely, you can put salt on your driveway without any damage. However, if your driveway is older and broken, salting may worsen its condition.

  • Why are there dandelions pushing through the asphalt?

    It is possible for dandelions to push up through the pavement. If this happens, a simple spot weed killer may correct the issue. You may also tap the pavement back down with a hammer where the dandelion came through.

  • Are leaks and spills damaging to the driveway?

    Leaks or spills from substances such as oil, transmission, power steering fluid, anti-freeze, or gasoline may damage the face of the driveway. Regular sealcoating will help to protect the driveway from these leaks.

Additional Information

As temperatures rise and fall, your driveway will soften and harden. Although not mandatory, you may water down the driveway with a hose on hot days to allow the asphalt to temporarily cool and harden. If you begin to see suds while watering it down, do not be alarmed. This is caused from a reaction between diesel fuel in the asphalt and the chlorine that is found in some water. Please note, although we make every effort to avoid puddles, some small ones may be unavoidable depending on the drainage or natural slope of the driveway.

Modified Shoulders

The edges are the weakest part of any driveway because they lack in side support. For this reason, avoid driving on the edges as they will crack and crumble in time. To avoid edge damage, try to avoid driving too close to the edge or over the driveway. Modified stone shoulders help to protect the edges of the driveway from breakage. Whether you do it yourself, hire Harris Paving or someone else, driveway shoulders are recommended. The modified stone adds stability to the edges of the driveway. Topsoil can be placed on top of the modified shoulders and then seeded for a manicured look.


**Modified crushed stone shoulders are available at an additional cost.**

Driveway Repairs & Patches

When a driveway repair is done, keep in mind that it is a repair and it will not look like when your driveway was newly paved. The tar around the patch does settle and gets chipped away by the snow plow or shovel. Tar can be reapplied when doing your driveway maintenance.

Tar and Chip

Though we do not offer Tar and Chip services, for those of you interested in that service, Rock-It Tar and Chip is based out of Factoryville, PA.

https://www.rock-ittarandchip.com/

Accidental Damage

Accidental damage may occur to your driveway. If and when it does, please give us a call and we will do our best to try and fix it. It is possible that your driveway may become scarred by accidental damage. The following events may cause accidental damage:

  • Vehicles starting out, driving, or pulling in too quickly or turning around in tight areas 
  • Vehicles parking in the same spot - there is a good chance that the tires will leave depressions in the driveway
  • Turning a steering wheel of a vehicle back and forth while it is parked - this leaves hourglass scars. Some people have referred to them as looking like pie pieces (tip: spread sand lightly over scars to lessen appearance)
  • Using jack stands or ramps without a piece of plywood underneath to help distribute weight evenly
  • Excessive weight from exceptionally heavy vehicles such as oil or concrete trucks may also scar your driveway and cause depressions
  • Parking heavy vehicles like campers and boats for extended periods of time (tip: if you need to park vehicles like this, be sure to place plywood underneath the tires and tongue jack to distribute the weight evenly)
  • Other items that may leave depressions in your driveway include, but are not limited to:
  • Bike and motorcycle kickstands
  • Dumpsters
  • High heels
  • Ladders
  • Lawn chairs

Charges may apply for accidental damage repairs. Call us at (570) 203-1720 for a FREE estimate.