Benefits of Sealcoating

This is best for asphalt-based driveways and will extend the life of the driveway. Once cured, the asphalt sealer creates a shield on your driveway and takes the abuse of weather elements, vehicle traffic and chemical spills. After a few years, this sealer will need to be reapplied for continued protection. Routine sealcoating can double the life of your asphalt driveway.

Types of Sealcoating

There are two primary types of sealcoating:

• Brush Application
• Spray Application

Spray application can be done more quickly and cost effectively. If budget is your main concern, a spray application may be best.

Brush application is done by hand and takes longer but it coats the driveway more thoroughly, gets into the small crevices better, and lasts longer. If quality is your main concern, a brush application will be the preferred method.

Preparation of the Driveway

There are several steps that should be taken prior to sealcoating. First, it's necessary to completely clean and dry the driveway. The first step is to cut back any overgrown grass along the edges and treat any oil stains. Next, all the cracks needs to be cleaned out of dirt, weeds, and debris. This is done using wire brooms and blowers. If the driveway is very dirty, a power washing would be recommened as well. Without having a clean and dry surface, the adhesion will be poor. The actual sealant is applied using a pressurized spray equipment, by hand with a brush, or by a self-propelled squeegee machine. After sealcoating is done, typically a 24-48 hour period must pass prior to allowing vehicles back on the driveway, for curing purposes.

While it's not an overly complicated task, most people don't have all the equipment needed to sealcoat the driveway. Nor are they sure what is the best option. At Maintain It All, we can help you with protecting your driveway and make decisions in relation to sealcoating. Contact us to see what we can do for you.