What if it rains after I seal my driveway?

• <div><p>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.</p></div>

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Q: What are the disadvantages of chip sealing?

• <div><p>Chip seal lasts only 5 to 8 years on average. This lifespan is significantly shorter than asphalt. It is also less durable. Therefore, chip seal driveway only works if the traffic volume is extremely low. Chip seal is also less resistant to storms and hails. As impact builds up, the chips may become misplaced, creating an uneven driving surface that sometimes becomes hazardous and may damage your tires or cause your vehicle to lose balance.</p></div>

Q: How long before you can use your driveway after sealing it?

• <div><p>Depending on the product used, you should avoid using your driveway for 48 to 72 hours after sealing it. In general, water-based driveway sealers cure much faster compared to oil-based and solvent-based sealers. Some driveways are even ready in just four to five hours.</p></div>

Q: What if it rains after I seal my driveway?

• <div><p>Ideally, you should seal your driveway when there won&rsquo;t be rain for several days, but at a minimum, there can&rsquo;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&rsquo;ll have to wait for your driveway to dry out and try applying again. Note that some sealers&mdash;like oil-based sealers or specialty fast-drying sealers&mdash;may cure faster. Ask your contractor for information on timing before the install, and if there&rsquo;s rain in the forecast, postpone the job.</p></div>

Q: Should I power wash my driveway before sealing it?

• <div><p>You should always power wash your driveway before applying a sealant. At any given time, your driveway could be covered with algae and moss, tire residue, oil and rust stains, and any combination of leaves, twigs, and dirt. If you skip power washing, you&rsquo;ll be trapping the dirt and grime beneath the sealant and lowering its chance of cementing itself to your driveway. While you can expect the <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/cost-to-pressure-wash-driveway.htm">cost to pressure wash your driveway</a> to average between <b>$100</b> and <b>$350</b>, the few hundred dollars beats an unattractive driveway or paying extra to reapply your driveway sealer.</p></div>

Q: How do you hire a reliable driveway sealcoating company?

• <div><p>One of the easiest ways to avoid poor customer service and poor sealant application is to hire a reputable, licensed company. Contact companies with positive customer reviews and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, and ask for customer references from any company you&rsquo;re considering hiring to seal your driveway. Get price quotes from three local driveway sealcoating companies to compare pricing and services to find the best fit for your home.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Driveway Sealcoating pros in John Day, OR

*The Angi rating for Driveway Sealcoating companies in John Day, OR is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Driveway Sealcoating needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Driveway Sealcoating companies in John Day, OR is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Driveway Sealcoating needs.

Last update on October 31, 2025

Reviewed in May 2025
Derek’s crew installed a low voltage electric gate across our driveway with code pads. They did a great job, clean and tidy, and just what we wanted. We are very pleased.
Green Hills Construction
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Reviewed in January 2021
Bautista Masonry built two stone pillars at the end of our driveway. We are incredibly happy with the results and would definitely hire them again.
Bautista Masonry
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Reviewed in March 2020
I highly recommend Curbcrete, even though my project was small Bill made time for my repairs. Curbcrete estimate was reasonable, Bill was the only contractor that contacted me. Bill and his employees were very professional and were great to work with. Bill walked me through the work area and...
CurbCrete USA, LLC
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Reviewed in January 2019
They did not return my call, they messed up my driveway, and their owner flipped me off.
ABCDE Paving and Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2016
Dave and his team were amazing, they arrived just as promised, quietly got to work and by the time I had realized that they were there they had already removed the downed branches. They quickly got the damaged limb down and were kind enough to take down a neighboring dead branch so that it...
Firschings Tree Service
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Reviewed in April 2014
We had a gravel driveway for several years, and we wanted it paved, as well as creating a flat spot for our kids to ride their skateboards and play basketball. I went with Sutter Paving because of the excellent reviews on Angie's List, and wasn't disappointed. In order to save money, I opted...
SUTTER PAVING
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Reviewed in September 2010
The installation crew was on time, courteous, & knowledgeable. Overall excellent job. They cleaned up completely at the end of each day (even cleaned the sawdust out of my neighbors driveway)
Clear Choice Windows & Doors
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Reviewed in February 2006
Steve, the owner, was the easiest to reach of the 3 exhibitors that I called and was the most prompt at going out to the site to take a look and make a bid. He was able to fit in the excavation within 5 days of our conversation, and had the most reasonable bid - the next closest was about $300...
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Asphalt Paving Installation

Asphalt Sealing

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Elite Flooring

Elite Flooring

Todd A Holliday construction

Todd A Holliday construction

Mister Fix It Company llc

Mister Fix It Company llc

Umpqua Valley Asphalt LLC

Umpqua Valley Asphalt LLC

Head Painting & Concrete Inc

Head Painting & Concrete Inc

Columbia Basin General Construction

Columbia Basin General Construction

New Beginnings Construction and Concrete, LLC

New Beginnings Construction and Concrete, LLC

MPM Property Maintenance LLC

MPM Property Maintenance LLC

JBC Group Solutions Inc

JBC Group Solutions Inc

John Knight Construction LLC

John Knight Construction LLC

The John Day, OR homeowners’ guide to driveway sealcoating

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