There are tire marks on your sealed paver driveway because hot tires react with the sealer. Tires carry chemicals that keep the rubber soft. A hot tire sits or turns on the sealed surface. Then those chemicals move into the sealer and leave a dark mark.
At Top Down Exterior Cleaning, paver sealing is our main line of work. We have sealed driveways around Lakeland since 2010. Below, we explain the causes, how to tell what kind of mark you have, and how to fix it.
What Causes Tire Marks on a Sealed Paver Driveway?
Heat and tire chemicals cause most tire marks on a sealed paver driveway. Tire makers add compounds called plasticizers to keep rubber flexible. Driving heats the tires up. Then the hot tire parks on your driveway, and those compounds seep out.
Sealer makers back this up. For example, a technical bulletin from The Euclid Chemical Company spells it out. Plasticizers leave a hot tire and move into the sealer. It notes that this happens most when hot tires turn or park on a sealed surface.
So three things usually line up:
- Hot tires. A long drive on a Florida summer day heats them fast.
- A soft or fresh sealer. Some sealers resist tire chemicals far better than others.
- Turning in place. Wheels that twist while the car sits still grind rubber into one spot.
Did Someone Drive on the Sealed Pavers Too Soon?
This is a common cause. Sealer needs time to cure before it can carry a car. If a vehicle parks on it too early, the tires can mark it or even lift it. Therefore, always follow the wait time your sealer company gives you.
Do Tire Marks Mean the Sealing Job Was Bad?
No, tire marks do not always mean a bad job. Even a good sealer can pick up light scuffs where cars turn. However, marks that show up right away or lift the sealer point to a problem. Usually the sealer type was wrong for a driveway, or a car parked on it too soon.
Are the Tire Marks on Top of the Sealer or in It?
You need to know which kind you have, because the fix is different. So try this simple check on one mark:
- Wet the mark with a hose.
- Scrub it with dish soap and a soft nylon brush.
- Rinse it and let it dry.
If the mark fades, it was rubber sitting on top. That is good news. However, if the mark looks the same, the tire chemicals have moved into the sealer.
Does the Type of Sealer Cause Tire Marks on a Paver Driveway?
Yes, the type of sealer makes a big difference. The same bulletin says acrylic sealers are highly prone to tire marking. Urethane sealers have a tighter structure, so they are less likely to mark.
That is one reason we use a two-part, water-based urethane. Our paver sealing in Lakeland, FL uses Ure-Seal H2O, and its maker rates the hot tire resistance as excellent. The company that makes it is based right here in Lakeland too.
Here is how we seal a driveway:
- First, we deep clean. We remove dirt, algae, and old stains from every paver and joint.
- Next, we re-sand. We fill the joints with fresh sand to the proper level.
- Then, we seal. We apply two coats. The sealer goes on milky and dries clear.
Can You Get Tire Marks Off a Sealed Paver Driveway?
Yes, you can get most tire marks off, and the method depends on how deep they go. Start gentle and work up.
- Surface scuffs. Soap, water, and a nylon brush often lift them.
- Stubborn marks. A concrete degreaser usually works when soap does not.
- Marks in the sealer. Severe cases need the sealer removed and a fresh coat applied.
However, a few shortcuts make things worse. So avoid these:
- A pressure washer held close, because it can strip the sealer and blow out the joint sand
- Strong solvents, because they can soften the sealer around the mark
- A wire brush, because it scratches the paver face
How Do You Prevent Tire Marks on a Sealed Paver Driveway?
You prevent tire marks with the right sealer and a few parking habits. No sealer is mark-proof, but these steps cut the risk way down.
- Wait before you park. Keep cars off for the full time your sealer company tells you.
- Don’t turn in place. Roll the car a little while you turn the wheel.
- Move your parking spot. Shift a foot or two so the tires don’t sit in the same place every day.
- Rinse the driveway. Wash off dirt and rubber dust before it builds up.
- Choose the sealer with care. Ask what type it is and how it handles hot tires.
- Reseal on schedule. A first sealing typically lasts about 2.5 to 3 years.
When Should You Reseal a Paver Driveway With Tire Marks?
Reseal when the marks sit in the sealer and cleaning no longer helps. Also, look at the rest of the driveway. If water has stopped beading and the color looks dull, the sealer is near the end of its life anyway.
In that case, a full clean, re-sand, and seal fixes the marks and renews the whole driveway at once. Most of our paver sealing jobs take one day.
Ready to Get Rid of the Tire Marks on Your Sealed Paver Driveway?
You don’t have to guess which kind of mark you have. Top Down is family owned and insured, and we have served Lakeland since 2010. We have also earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award five times.
Contact Top Down Exterior Cleaning today for a free estimate. You can also call us at (863) 904-8956. We will come out, look at your driveway, and tell you what it needs.
