At Shamos Paving & Sealcoating, we aim to provide clear answers to your common questions about asphalt maintenance. We believe informed customers make better decisions, so explore these FAQs to learn more about our process and what to expect. If you have further questions, contact us for personalized assistance.

Do I have to have the cracks sealed?

It is a good idea to have the cracks sealed if we've recommended the service. Cracks allow moisture to penetrate the asphalt surface and since water expands as it freezes, any moisture in the cracks can cause damage during Maine's freeze and thaw cycles. When we crack seal, the cracks are filled with an injected rubberized material. This helps slow deterioration and will help strengthen the surface. Crack sealing is not a guaranteed service since the movement of the ground underneath the asphalt is out of our control.

Will you remove oil stains?

We will broom and scrub any stains we notice or that are brought our attention and remove any free-floating residue. We will prime stains or oil spots prior to sealcoating. Some oil stains are very stubborn and will not be 100% eliminated. In some cases, we may recommend patching the area.

Do you spray or brush apply the sealcoating?

Our crews are trained in both applications. Your quote will be created with our recommended application method for your property. Should you have a preferred method please let us know and we will adjust your quote accordingly.

How soon after the service can I use my driveway/lot?

For sealcoating, we recommend keeping vehicles off the driveway for 2-3 days.
For paving/patching, we recommend keeping vehicles off the driveway 4-5 days.
You can walk on the driveway/lot the next day.
We will cone/rope off the work area before we leave.

Please note, these recommendations are a blanket statement, and commercial properties may have to adjust according to their business needs.

How does scheduling work?

Because of Maine weather and other variables, our schedule is built in real time, so we are unable to provide a projected timeline or book-out date. Once you have approved your quote, you will be added to our active scheduling list.

Our scheduling list is not “first come, first served”.
We move around daily grabbing driveways based on location and logistics.
We schedule Paving about a week in advance.
We schedule Sealcoating 1-3 days at a time.

When we have your project scheduled, we’ll email you with 1-3 days notice for sealcoating, or about a week ahead for paving.

When does your season start and end?

Our Paving season runs mid-April through November
Our Sealcoating season runs June through September
Crack Seal ONLY work is typically done in early spring or in the fall allowing us to reserve any warm sunny days for sealcoating.

What time are you coming on the day of service?

We do not have specific arrival times as it depends on our workload and the happenings at each site. No two driveways are alike. Some may take longer than others and require more work. We will ask that the work area be cleared for the day of service as early as 7:00am.

Do you come back and pick up the Shamos signs? Stakes and rope?

No, we do not come back to collect signs, stakes, or rope. We ask that you dispose of them when you are ready. Our Shamos signs are our #1 source of advertising, and we would greatly appreciate you leaving them up for as long as you are comfortable. We have found this to be an effective way of controlling our costs, keeping our prices competitive and passing the savings onto our customers.

Why are there texture differences on my driveway?

Certain areas of a driveway (i.e., garage, stone walls, railroad ties, etc.) need to be trimmed out by hand first. The texture may appear different but will conform over a period of time. Texture differences are also common on newly installed asphalt.

Will my driveway still have surface cracks (spider cracks) after you seal it?

Yes, surface cracks or spider cracks will not be eliminated. We do not crack seal surface cracks; we crack seal cracks that are 1/4 inch or larger. Surface cracking does not affect the overall structure and condition of the driveway.

Will sealcoating be a problem if I have a stone wall, fence, or cobblestone?

We take every precaution to ensure the safety of your property.

Will the sealcoating affect my grass?

No, sealer will not harm your lawn. A mowing or two will eliminate any sealer on the edges of your lawn.

Why have tire marks appeared in my driveway?

After sealcoating, tire marks can commonly appear within a few days to 2 weeks. They will fade as the sealer continues to cure.
For paving projects, tire marks can happen when the wheels of a vehicle are turning without the vehicle being in motion. It is best to be careful, especially on very hot days as the asphalt will be softer.

Mold/mildew or algae were noted to be a factor on my quote; do you offer a treatment for this and/or what is recommended for treatment?

We do NOT offer these treatment services. Along with power washing, we recommend that you treat all areas showing signs of mold/mildew or algae with Mold Armor that can be found at Home Depot. The Mold Armor container will attach to a garden hose. It may take a couple of applications, but it will help to improve the adhesion issues we may have noted.

Power washing is noted on my quote to be recommended/required (due to moss, mold or mildew, dirt, etc.) before my sealcoating; do you offer power washing services?

We do NOT offer power washing as a service. We encourage you to hire a professional company to have your driveway power washed if we have given you this recommendation.

How often should I sealcoat my driveway or parking lot?

Generally speaking, you can maximize the life of your pavement by sealcoating every 2-3 years. Other general maintenance options like crack sealing, sweeping and patch repair should be evaluated annually.

Does crack sealing ensure that the crack will not grow or appear again?

Crack sealing is an important part of annual pavement maintenance. When cracks develop, they allow moisture and debris to get inside and under the pavement. When moisture freezes and unfreezes it expands and contracts challenging the integrity of the pavement, creating further issues. Crack sealing these areas with hot rubber can help stop the moisture and debris from infiltrating the pavement but cannot necessarily ensure a crack will not open back up. Factors like the gravel base, tree roots, culverts and other geological factors as well as the cold winter months and traffic count can contribute to a crack opening back up or others forming.

Can I just send you the measurements of my driveway, parking lot or project area to get a quote?

To ensure we are delivering the quality that you deserve we require a Shamos Paving & Sealcoating professional to evaluate and assess the property before providing a quote. Many variables factor into the approach we take to deliver a quality job.

Should I sealcoat my driveway or parking lot if I just had it paved?

We recommend waiting 1-2 years as the pavement needs time to cure. During the first year after install, there are still oils and moisture in the pavement that will prohibit the sealcoating from adhering properly. Sealcoating new pavement after 1-2 years of installation can help extend its life.

I can still see the outline of the rubberized material after sealcoating and crack sealing, is this normal?

Yes, this is normal. The rubber used to seal the cracks is a different material than the sealcoating. For the rubber to be effective it will be slightly thicker on top of the flat surface of your pavement. When the sealer dries you will see a nice matte black finish which will minimize the view of the crack sealing, but you will still be able to see the outline of the cracks sealed.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Our Asphalt Services

Your guide to understanding asphalt maintenance and repair with Shamos Paving & Sealcoating

Understanding Our Asphalt Services

Need More Information?

Contact our team today for expert advice and professional asphalt solutions.