Driveway Sealcoating in Gaston, Oregon: 2026 Guide

Driveway Sealcoating in Gaston, Oregon

Sealcoating is the cheapest thing you can do to make an asphalt driveway last. It is a thin protective layer brushed or sprayed over cured asphalt that shields the surface from water, UV, and the oxidation that slowly turns black pavement gray and brittle. For Gaston homeowners, that protection matters because western Washington County gets a long, wet winter that works hard on unsealed asphalt.

Cojo Excavation & Asphalt sealcoats driveways and small lots across Gaston and the surrounding rural areas from its Willamette Valley base. The work is simple in concept but the timing and the surface prep are where most jobs go right or wrong.

What Sealcoating Costs in Gaston

Sealcoating is priced by the square foot, and the rate depends on driveway size, surface condition, how many coats, and whether crack-filling is needed first. The numbers below are industry baseline ranges. Actual pricing in the current market often runs higher, especially on rough or oxidized surfaces that need extra prep.

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Actual costs vary and are frequently higher based on surface condition, square footage, number of coats, and required crack repair.

Service	Industry Baseline per Sq Ft
Standard driveway sealcoat (single coat)	$0.15–$0.30
Two-coat application	$0.25–$0.50
Crack filling (per linear foot)	$0.50–$3.00
Oil-spot priming and prep	added based on severity

For a typical 700 square foot Gaston driveway, a single-coat sealcoat falls inside these baselines for a clean surface, but a driveway that has never been sealed and is heavily oxidized will need more prep and may run well above the baseline. To understand exactly what the product does and how it protects asphalt, read what is sealcoating.

Coal-Tar vs. Asphalt-Emulsion Sealer

There are two main families of driveway sealer, and the choice affects durability, smell, and environmental compliance.

• Asphalt-emulsion sealers are water-based, lower odor, and increasingly the standard in the Pacific Northwest. Many jurisdictions and HOAs prefer or require them for environmental reasons. They cure cleaner and are easier to apply in residential settings.
• Coal-tar sealers have historically been valued for fuel and oil resistance, but they carry stronger odor and environmental concerns, and some areas restrict them.

For most Gaston residential driveways, a quality asphalt-emulsion sealer is the practical and responsible choice. We will walk you through what makes sense for your surface and your property.

PNW Cure Windows and the Wet Season

Sealcoating lives and dies by the weather. The sealer needs dry pavement to bond and a warm, dry stretch to cure, usually 24 to 48 hours without rain and temperatures comfortably above 50°F. In Gaston, that limits the realistic season to late spring through early fall.

The wet-season problem is twofold. First, you cannot apply sealer to damp pavement and expect it to bond. Second, rain that falls before the coating fully cures will wash it off and leave you with a streaked, weak finish. The valley's marine climate means even summer can throw a surprise shower, so contractors here watch the forecast closely and schedule around dry windows. Our best time to sealcoat in Oregon guide covers the seasonal timing in detail.

How Often to Recoat in Washington County

A sealed driveway in the Willamette Valley typically holds up for two to three years before it needs another coat. High-traffic driveways, those exposed to direct sun all day, or surfaces that see heavy farm-truck use may need attention closer to the two-year mark. Driveways under tree cover and shade can sometimes stretch a little longer.

The visual cue is simple. When the deep black of a fresh seal has faded back to a dull gray and water no longer beads on the surface, it is time. Staying on a regular two-to-three-year cadence is far cheaper than letting the asphalt oxidize, crack, and eventually need driveway repair in Gaston or full replacement.

Sealcoating Is Not a Repair

One honest caveat: sealcoating protects good asphalt, it does not fix bad asphalt. If your driveway already has alligator cracking, potholes, or base failure, sealer will not bridge those problems. Cracks should be filled first, and serious structural damage needs repair or repaving before any sealcoat goes on. If you just had new asphalt installed, wait until it has fully cured before sealing, which our asphalt paving in Gaston guide explains.

Why Use a Local Crew

Sealcoating looks easy enough that plenty of homeowners try the big-box bucket route, but the results rarely last. Proper prep, the right sealer, correct dilution, and good timing make the difference between a coat that lasts three years and one that flakes off by fall. We sealcoat across Washington County, including nearby sealcoating in Forest Grove, and we know the local weather windows that make the work hold.