When you visit someone’s house, you can get a good idea of how well it is maintained by looking at the driveway. That said, there’s nothing more frustrating than applying driveway sealer only for it to start peeling away after a few months. If you are wondering: Why is my driveway sealer peeling? We discuss what you can do to fix it without too much panic.

It may be because of poor surface preparation, certain chemicals, non-compatible coats, paving cracks, and applying too many layers of driveway sealant. The best way to fix it is to follow the correct application guidelines for applying driveway sealer.

Table Of Contents

What Causes Your Driveway Sealer To Peel
How To Prevent Your Driver Sealer From Peeling
Final Thoughts: Why is My Driveway Sealer Peeling?

I’ll discuss why your driveway sealer may be peeling in this article. I’ll also give you tips on fixing this problem and offer maintenance tips on preventing your driveway sealer from peeling.

What Causes Your Driveway Sealer To Peel

While driveway sealer can last up to a decade without getting damaged, it will usually start peeling after 2-5 years. However, if your driveway sealer starts peeling before this, it’s usually because it wasn’t applied properly or a low-quality sealant was applied.

Factors that may cause your driveway sealer to peel include:

How Old the Sealant Is

Even if you’ve applied a high-quality driveway sealer to protect your driveway, it will gradually wear away with time.

How soon your driveway sealer needs replacement depends on how much you’ve used it, the climate in your area, and other factors. So, how long should driveway sealers work on average?

Most quality driveway sealers will last 2-5 years before they start fading and peeling. If you maintain the driveway properly, the sealer may last as long as ten years.

Nonetheless, even the best driveway sealers will start fading after five years. If you want to keep your driveway in good condition, applying a coat of driveway sealer every 2-3 years is best.

However, if your driveway sealer is more than 2-3 years old and has started peeling off, it’s time to apply a fresh coat on your driveway.

Rough Weather and Chemicals

If you live in an area with a rough (too hot or cold) climate, the driveway sealer will peel off much faster.

You’ll often notice that your driveway looks more faded after winter, especially if you have a lot of snow in your area. The same applies to regions where extremely hot summers may wear away the driveway sealer, causing it to peel or fade.

Some chemicals may also damage the driveway sealer and cause it to peel. Avoid spilling chemicals like pool acid, fertilizer, or other chemical products on the driveway, and clean up any spills immediately.

While rough weather and certain chemicals may damage your driveway, a top-quality driveway sealer will last at least two years.

Poor Surface Preparation

Not preparing the surface properly before applying a coat of driveway sealer may also cause the sealer to peel off.

It won’t last long if the surface is dirty or has oil stains when the sealer is applied. This is similar to how the paint will start peeling if you don’t properly prepare the wall’s surface.

When applying driveway sealer, you’ll need to make sure that the driveway is:

Properly leveled and smooth
Clear from dust, stones, twigs, and other dirt
Completely dry (you can’t apply sealer on a wet driveway)
Free from oil stains

Oil and grease stains are a major problem for driveway sealers since they are difficult to remove – and most people ignore them when applying them.

Oil will migrate through the coating and cause the sealer to peel after a few months or even weeks of applying a new coat.

While you can apply driveway sealer any time of the year, avoid doing so in the winter or wet months. The driveway sealer typically dries in less than 24 hours, but it will take longer in winter.

You’ll also risk damaging the new coat of sealant due to snowfall. The best time to apply a fresh coat of driveway sealer is in spring or summer when the weather is clear and dry.

Non-Compatible Coats

While there are many types of driveway sealers, most aren’t compatible with other types. For example, water-based and tar sealers can’t be used together, and you’ll have to remove one layer completely before applying a new coat of sealer.

Mixing layers of non-compatible sealers will cause the top layer to peel off or fade faster.

What type of driveway sealer you use often depends on your type of driveway. Let’s look at the popular types of driveway sealers and when to apply them:

Water-Based Sealers

Water-based driveway sealers are the most common type of sealer and are environmentally friendlier than other types. They are also versatile and can be applied on most driveways.

However, there are different water-based sealers, and double-coat ones work the best. The only downside to water-based sealers is that they don’t last as long as other types.

Oil-Based Driveway Sealers

Another type of driveway sealer is the oil-based sealer. These driveway sealers are generally more expensive than water-based ones.

However, they are more long-lasting and won’t peel off easily. They are also versatile; you can apply them on gravel and synthetic driveways.

Coal Tar Sealers

Coal tar sealers are one of the best driveway sealers to apply for a long-lasting effect. They can last up to a decade without getting damaged or discolored.

The coal tar sealer won’t peel easily and isn’t damaged by grease or oil. However, it’s not aesthetically appealing and may not suit some house designs.

Asphalt Sealers

While expensive, asphalt sealers are also some of the most durable driveway sealers. They don’t handle rough weather, oil, chemicals, or coal tar sealers, but they are more aesthetically appealing and should last at least 3-4 years.

Acrylic Sealers

If you’re looking for the perfect sealer for a modern driveway, acrylic sealers are best. They are durable, sport a professional look, and don’t peel or fade easily. The only downside is that you’ll pay more to install an acrylic driveway sealer, and replacing it can be expensive.

With a few exceptions, you can’t mix any of these sealers. If you want to install a new type of driveway sealant, you must first remove the old coating. Otherwise, the sealer will peel off much sooner.

Cracks in the Paving

While your driveway may have been smooth initially, it will get cracks over time. If you don’t fill these cracks before applying a new coat of driveway sealer, the sealer will get damaged faster.

These cracks may contain dirt, oil, and other materials that will cause the sealer to peel off gradually.

In the end, it boils down to proper surface preparation. A professional driveway seal coat company will properly prepare the driveway, fill up cracks, and ensure it’s clean and dry before applying a coat of sealant.

Applying Low-Quality Sealant

Not all driveway sealers are the same; some are more durable and won’t peel easily. If you use a low-quality sealer, it may not last more than a single season. However, some of the best driveway sealers can last up to 10 years.

If you live in a humid or wet area, applying an oil-based or coal tar sealer is better since it won’t peel as easily as water-based sealers.

However, if you apply a quality double-coat water-based sealer correctly, you won’t need to add a new coat for at least three years.

Applying Too Much Driveway Sealer

Applying too many layers of a driveway sealer or applying it too often may cause the sealer to peel.

Applying driveway sealer too often will affect the sealer’s effectiveness since old layers and new ones aren’t completely compatible. So, how often should you apply driveway sealer?

Most experts recommend replacing the driveway sealer every 2-3 years. The general rule is to wait for one coat to wear away before applying a fresh one.

If you want to replace your driveway sealer more often, you’ll have to remove the old layer before applying a new one, which is often unnecessary.

How To Prevent Your Driver Sealer From Peeling

If you take proper precautions when applying a new coat of driveway sealer and use a high-quality sealer, the driveway sealer shouldn’t peel off.

Here are some tips to help prevent your driveway sealer from peeling:

1. Use a High-Quality Driveway Sealer

Most driveway sealers will last at least 2-3 years before they start to fade or peel. If your driveway sealer starts peeling before this, you may have used a poor-quality sealer.

If you want a long-lasting effect, use coal tar or asphalt. Or acrylic sealer. However, these are quite expensive and may still fade over time.

Many common sealers, including water and oil-based driveway sealers, are designed to last at least 2-3 years and can handle extreme heat and cold.

However, there is variation in quality amongst these sealers as well. For example, you can get a single-coat water-based sealer, but it won’t be as effective as a double-coat one.

If you’re unsure which sealer to use, consult a driveway specialist company, but remember that you’ll have to add a new coat of driveway sealer every few years.

2. Prepare the Driveway Properly Before Applying Sealer

If your driveway’s sealer starts peeling after a few months, it’s probably because it wasn’t applied properly. Just like when painting a wall, the driveway must be cleaned well before applying a fresh coat of sealer.

A professional seal coating company will thoroughly clean the driveway and take special care that no dust or debris may affect the seal coat application. Also, apply the sealer on a warm, dry day to let it dry properly.

Many people recommend pressure washing your driveway to get rid of dirt and the remnants of the old sealer and to prepare the surface for a fresh coat. If oil or grease stains are on your driveway, you must remove them thoroughly before applying a new coat to prevent peeling.

3. Fill In Cracks on Your Driveway

Cracks on your driveway can also cause the sealer to peel off. Even small cracks need to be filled as they provide space for air and dirt, which may damage the sealer.

To prevent this from happening, fill in cracks before applying a seal coat on your driveway.

You can fill in driveway cracks with asphalt or coal tar or get a driveway sealer that automatically fills in the cracks.

4. Don’t Over-Apply Sealer

One of the main causes of your sealer peeling is over-applying it. While you may want your driveway to look new every year, you shouldn’t apply a new sealer until the old one starts to fade or gets worn out.

If you use your driveway regularly, you can apply a new sealer every two years.

5. Avoid Mixing Different Types of Sealers

Mixing incompatible sealers may also cause it to peel off. Avoid using water and oil-based sealers together, even though they may look the same.

If you want to apply a new coat of driveway sealer, thoroughly remove the first coat and try using the same sealer used previously.

6. Repair Your Driveway

Large cracks and an unstable driveway may also cause the sealer to get damaged. In this case, you must repair the driveway before applying a new sealer. Always use durable materials such as asphalt or tar to repair your driveway.

Final Thoughts: Why is My Driveway Sealer Peeling?

Driveway sealer helps keep your driveway waterproof and prevents it from cracking or damaging.

While driveway sealer usually lasts a few years, sometimes it may start peeling off sooner, especially if it’s a low-quality sealer. This may also show that the sealer wasn’t applied properly.

You can easily fix this problem by applying the sealer according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, using a high-quality sealer, and preparing the driveway properly before applying it.