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Crenson says that relative to coal tar sealers, asphalt sealers are not as forgiving under damp or cool conditions, or as far as mix design is concerned.

"And you're likely to see some of those effects in blends as well," Crenson says.

Maclean says contractors who tried blended products for the first time last fall probably are leery of them because the weather last fall slowed curing significantly.

"Our part of the country had some of the worst curing conditions - temperature, humidity, and rain - we'd experienced in a long time. And that coincided with the time many contractors were getting their first taste of blends," he says. "It is pretty unlikely that we will see similar conditions again this year."

Crenson says additives can be used to enhance some of the properties of sealers, primarily shortening drying time and developing a tougher film membrane to alleviate some of the differences from coal tar sealers.

"Contractors considering additives should be sure to check with the manufacturer of the sealer because one additive might work with one manufacturer's formulation and not in another manufacturer's formulation," Crenson says.