Sealing your driveway is an option that becomes available to you once the warmer months hit. Despite being optional, learning the benefits of performing the task will make you wonder why everybody doesn’t go ahead and apply it to their pavement. Let’s take a look at how to seal a driveway as well as how often you should seal your driveway.
Are Driveway Sealers Worth It?
Driveway sealers are without a doubt worth your time and money. They are easy and cheap to apply, meaning that all it takes is one afternoon to increase your pavement’s durability and lifespan. If you aren’t aware, a driveway sealer creates a protective barrier between the ground and the rest of the world. This shield keeps your ground safe from cracks and water damage. This holds true whether your driveway is made of concrete or asphalt.
One of the main reasons that you should sealcoat your driveway is to increase its lifespan. Asphalt driveways last 15-20 years while concrete lasts 25-30. Sealing your driveway and protecting it from the elements ensures that you will be able to get the maximum usage out of your pavement.
How Can I Seal My Driveway Myself?
To begin sealing your driveway you will first need to clean it off. Applying a sealant while it is dirty or cluttered can lead to more harm than good. After you have cleaned it off you should fill the existing cracks in your driveway. This can either be done through a professional’s help or by your own hand. Next, you should apply the sealcoat to the surface of your driveway making sure that you do not miss any spots along the way.
Once you have sealed a driveway you should wait before you drive over it again. The cooldown time depends on the weather conditions but as a general rule of thumb, you should wait 1-3 days.
What Is The Best Product To Seal A Driveway?
There are many different sealers on the market with some of them being drastically more expensive than others. If you live in an area that has constant exposure to water then you may want to consider going with a sealant that is heavier duty such as Liquid Rubber. If you want something more standard, a plain sealer or asphalt-based sealer is enough to do the trick.
Is Driveway Sealing Worth It?
Do the benefits that sealcoating your driveway brings outweigh the price and time it takes to apply it? The answer is an astounding yes! Sealcoating your pavement increases its longevity by providing a protective layer between the surface of your driveway and the rest of the world. This means that things such as water, debris, and ice will not be able to harm your driveway as well as they would have had you not seal coated it. This even helps with older driveways. Cutting down on cracks and deterioration is well worth the inexpensive cost of sealing your driveway. Remember to address even small cracks since they can worsen with time.
Can You Seal Your Driveway Too Much?
It is important to remember that with sealcoating, you can have too much of a good thing. While applying more layers than necessary may sound like a great idea, it actually causes more damage than good. Overusing a sealant on a driveway causes peeling, flaking, and cracks to form on the surface, ultimately leading to the same problem you were trying to prevent. Because of this, it is imperative that you apply only one or two layers and wait until the right time to reapply.
How Long Does Driveway Sealer Last?
A good sealcoat should last you 1-2 years; wait any longer, and you put your pavement at risk. It is a good idea to call and schedule an annual check-up on your driveway so you can make sure that everything is up to standards. Doing so will let you catch problems early on and let you nip them in the bud. On top of this, you can be sure to sealcoat when the time is right, meaning that you will not have to risk doing it too early or too late.
Have More Questions?
You can count on Walt’s Paving to complete your residential or commercial paving project in an efficient and timely manner. We have over 40 years of experience paving asphalt driveways, making asphalt repairs, and seal coating asphalt. We are located in Osceola, IN, and service homeowners and businesses within 50 miles of Elkhart, IN. If you have any further questions regarding our services, do not hesitate to contact us today.
