What Is Asphalt Sealcoating?
Sealcoating is the application of a protective coating over an existing asphalt surface. The sealant, typically a coal tar emulsion or asphalt emulsion product, fills small surface voids, restores the dark black appearance of the asphalt, and creates a barrier against water, UV rays, oil, gasoline, and the chemical de-icers that Long Island driveways are exposed to every winter. Think of sealcoating as sunscreen for your driveway. It does not fix structural problems or fill deep cracks, but it dramatically slows the oxidation and surface deterioration that lead to those problems in the first place.
Why Sealcoating Matters on Long Island
Long Island driveways face a uniquely punishing combination of environmental conditions. Summer UV exposure oxidizes the asphalt binder, causing it to dry out and become brittle. Fall and spring rains saturate any surface cracks. Winter freezing expands that trapped water, widening cracks and breaking apart the surface. Road salt and chemical de-icers further accelerate deterioration. Without sealcoating, an asphalt driveway on Long Island will begin showing significant surface degradation within 3 to 5 years of installation and may require major repairs or replacement within 10 to 15 years.
With regular sealcoating every 2 to 3 years, that same driveway can last 20 to 30 years before needing resurfacing or replacement. At a cost of a few hundred dollars per application, sealcoating is by far the most cost-effective maintenance strategy available for asphalt surfaces. Homeowners in Babylon, Islip, Smithtown, and Brookhaven who sealcoat their driveways on schedule routinely get twice the service life out of their asphalt compared to those who skip this maintenance.
When to Sealcoat Your Driveway
First Sealcoating After Installation
New asphalt should not be sealcoated immediately after installation. The pavement needs time to cure and for the lighter oils in the asphalt binder to evaporate. On Long Island, the standard recommendation is to wait 6 to 12 months after paving before applying the first sealcoat. Applying sealcoat too early traps oils in the surface, prevents proper curing, and can result in a soft, tacky surface that tracks footprints and tire marks. If your driveway was paved in spring or summer, the following spring is typically the ideal time for the first sealcoat.
Ongoing Sealcoating Schedule
After the initial application, sealcoating should be repeated every 2 to 3 years for residential driveways on Long Island. The exact interval depends on the amount of traffic the driveway receives, sun exposure, and how quickly the previous sealcoat wears through. You can tell it is time to reseal when the surface has lost its dark black color and returned to a faded gray, or when you can see the aggregate (small stones) exposed at the surface in high-traffic areas.
Best Time of Year
Sealcoating requires warm, dry conditions to cure properly. The ideal sealcoating season on Long Island runs from late April through early October. Air and surface temperatures should be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and no rain should be expected for 24 to 48 hours after application. Late spring and early fall are the most popular times to schedule sealcoating because temperatures are warm but not extreme, and there is less demand for the driveway during those transition seasons.
The Sealcoating Process
- Surface preparation: The driveway is thoroughly cleaned with blowers and, if needed, a power washer to remove dirt, debris, oil stains, and vegetation from cracks and edges. Oil spots are treated with a primer to ensure the sealant adheres properly.
- Crack filling: Any cracks wider than a pencil width (roughly 1/8 inch) are filled with hot rubberized crack filler before sealcoating. This prevents water from penetrating the base through cracks and is an essential step that should not be skipped.
- Sealant application: The sealcoat is applied in two thin coats using either spray equipment or squeegee application. Two thin coats cure faster, bond better, and provide more uniform coverage than a single thick coat. Each coat is allowed to dry before the next is applied.
- Curing time: After the final coat, the driveway must remain off limits to foot traffic for at least 4 to 6 hours and to vehicle traffic for 24 to 48 hours, depending on temperature and humidity. On hot, sunny Long Island days, curing may happen faster.
- Edge and detail work: Edges along garage floors, walkways, and landscaping borders are carefully treated to prevent sealant from getting on adjacent surfaces.
Sealcoating Costs on Long Island
Sealcoating is one of the most affordable home maintenance services available. For a standard residential driveway on Long Island, here are typical costs in 2026.
- Small driveway (under 500 square feet): $200 to $400 for two coats of sealant with crack filling.
- Average driveway (500 to 1,000 square feet): $350 to $700 for two coats with crack filling.
- Large driveway (1,000 to 2,000 square feet): $600 to $1,200 for two coats with crack filling.
- Crack filling alone (before sealcoating): $1 to $3 per linear foot for hot rubberized crack filler.
- Commercial properties: $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot for large parking areas, with volume discounts for multi-thousand square foot surfaces.
When you consider that a new asphalt driveway on Long Island costs $5,000 to $12,000 or more, spending $350 to $700 every two to three years to protect that investment is a clear financial win. Sealcoating costs roughly 3% to 7% of the replacement cost each cycle while potentially doubling the driveway lifespan.
Choosing a Sealcoating Contractor
- Verify the contractor is licensed and insured. Sealcoating involves working on your property with hot materials and equipment, and liability coverage is essential.
- Ask what product they use and request the product data sheet. Quality sealcoat products from manufacturers like SealMaster, Neyra, or GemSeal are industry standards. Avoid contractors who cannot identify the product they apply.
- Confirm that two coats are included. A single coat of sealant is inadequate for Long Island conditions and should be a red flag.
- Ask whether crack filling is included or priced separately. Sealcoating without crack filling first is a wasted investment because water will continue to penetrate through open cracks.
- Be cautious of extremely low prices. Contractors who significantly undercut the market may be diluting their sealant with excess water, skipping crack prep, or applying only one thin coat.
Brothers Paving & Masonry provides professional sealcoating services for homeowners across Babylon, Islip, Smithtown, Brookhaven, and all of Long Island. We use commercial-grade sealant products, fill all cracks before coating, apply two full coats on every job, and stand behind our work. Call (631) 374-9796 to schedule your sealcoating and protect your driveway investment.