Sealcoating is the single most cost-effective maintenance step you can take to protect your asphalt driveway and extend its lifespan. For South Jersey homeowners in Gloucester County, Camden County, Burlington County, and beyond, sealcoating provides critical protection against the unique combination of UV exposure, freeze-thaw cycles, road salt runoff, and petroleum product damage that South Jersey driveways face every year. Harrison Paving has been applying professional sealcoating throughout South Jersey since 1985, and we consistently see properly sealcoated driveways outlast neglected ones by 10 or more years.
South Jersey gets plenty of sun, and ultraviolet radiation is one of the biggest enemies of asphalt pavement. UV rays break down the liquid asphalt binder that holds the aggregate together, causing the surface to become brittle, gray, and prone to cracking. This oxidation process accelerates dramatically once it begins — small surface cracks allow more UV and water penetration, which causes more oxidation, which causes more cracking. Sealcoating blocks UV rays with a protective barrier that keeps the asphalt binder flexible and intact. Think of it as sunscreen for your driveway — a small regular investment that prevents enormous damage over time.
Water is the primary cause of asphalt failure in South Jersey. When water penetrates cracks and pores in unsealed asphalt, it reaches the crushed stone base beneath. During winter, this trapped water freezes and expands, pushing the asphalt upward and creating new cracks. When it thaws, the asphalt settles back unevenly. After dozens of freeze-thaw cycles each winter, the damage compounds rapidly — turning hairline cracks into potholes within a single season. Sealcoating creates a waterproof membrane that keeps moisture on the surface where it runs off harmlessly rather than penetrating to the base.
Gasoline, motor oil, transmission fluid, and antifreeze are all petroleum-based products that dissolve the petroleum binder in asphalt pavement. A single oil drip left untreated can soften a silver-dollar-sized spot that eventually becomes a pothole. Sealcoating provides a barrier between these automotive fluids and the asphalt binder, preventing chemical dissolution. For homes with multiple vehicles, older cars, or properties near busy roads where road salt and chemical runoff are common, this protection is especially valuable.
A freshly sealcoated driveway has a rich, dark black appearance that dramatically improves curb appeal. Real estate professionals consistently note that a well-maintained driveway is one of the first things potential buyers notice when evaluating a property. The cost of sealcoating — typically $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot for a professional two-coat application — delivers outsized returns in both property value perception and actual pavement longevity.
Harrison Paving recommends first sealcoating your new driveway approximately 12 to 18 months after installation to allow the asphalt to cure fully. After that initial application, sealcoating every two to three years provides optimal protection for South Jersey conditions. Driveways with higher traffic or greater sun exposure may benefit from slightly more frequent applications. We apply two coats of commercial-grade emulsion sealer for maximum durability — roughly twice the protection of a single coat.
Hardware store sealcoat products are typically thin, water-based formulations that provide minimal protection and wear away within months. Professional-grade sealcoat used by Harrison Paving contains higher concentrations of asphalt emulsion and is applied with calibrated spray equipment for consistent, even coverage at the correct thickness. Professional application also includes critical preparation steps — power blowing debris, filling cracks with hot rubberized sealant, and treating oil stains with primer — that determine whether the sealcoat bonds properly and lasts.
Sealcoating season in South Jersey runs from May through September when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees and forecast conditions are dry. Call Harrison Paving at (856) 694-4181 to schedule your professional sealcoating. We serve homeowners throughout Gloucester County, Camden County, Burlington County, Salem County, Cumberland County, and the shore communities.
Contact Harrison Paving at (856) 694-4181 for a free estimate.