Get matched with top driveway sealcoating pros in Colstrip, MT

Though they may look similar, tar and bitumen come from different sources. Bitumen is a petroleum product—extracted during crude oil refining—and is mostly made up of hydrocarbons. Tar comes from burning down organic materials like coal or wood. Bitumen is strictly oil-based, while tar is a mix of compounds from natural sources. Both are used as binders in paving; however, bitumen is the standard for today’s asphalt. Tar use has mostly faded out of road construction.

Costs depend on lot size, sealant quality, labor, and any additional surface preparation.

Ideally, you should seal your driveway when there won’t be rain for several days, but at a minimum, there can’t be rain for at least 24 hours. If it rains shortly after you seal your driveway, the water can wash away the sealer and render your work useless. You’ll have to wait for your driveway to dry out and try applying again. Note that some sealers—like oil-based sealers or specialty fast-drying sealers—may cure faster. Ask your contractor for information on timing before the install, and if there’s rain in the forecast, postpone the job.

Yes, you can seal asphalt before it’s fully cured but you should wait to do so until at least three months after installing it. Otherwise, the seal coat can trap the asphalt’s oils and chemicals, preventing it from fully hardening. This can lead to a weaker surface that’s vulnerable to damage. But if you wait at least three months, applying a seal coat can extend its life by protecting it from water, UV rays, and other damaging elements.