Remember driveway sealing is merely applying a protective sealant to either your concrete or asphalt or driveway.
Seal coating asphalt driveway.
The asphalt cement used at the plant that makes blacktop for the city roadways was undoubtedly the same used to make residential driveways.
But you can t achieve that long life span unless the driveway was installed properly and you perform regular maintenance like filling cracks annually and driveway sealing when needed.
Much of the work in sealing asphalt driveways is in the preparation.
Asphalt cement is the binder or glue that holds.
Asphalt driveway sealer which sits on top of the driveway acts as a barrier that prevents water ice car fluids the sun salt and other chemicals from staining and eating away at the surface of the driveway.
An asphalt driveway can last almost 30 years.
Left unsealed sunlight wind and water will gradually cause asphalt to harden and oxidize and as it becomes more brittle cracking can occur.
The sealer can also be mixed with sand which helps add traction back to an asphalt surface.
Steps for sealing asphalt driveways.
Whether your driveway is concrete or asphalt sealing it is an important part of keeping it looking like new for a long time.
It is therefore crucial to consider sealing your driveway during the summer season when you least expect to see the rain.
Coverage rate also depends on the condition and texture of the asphalt.
Asphalt sealers cure in just a few hours but the driveway can t be used for vehicle traffic for 24 to 48 hours.
Asphalt driveway sealer alone costs between 0 06 0 11 per square foot on average while additional modifiers or colors may add another 0 60 per square foot.
Driveway sealing preparation can take a full day including drying time and it s tedious.
When planning for sealing asphalt driveways also known as hot top or blacktop wait until the ground temperature is 45 f or higher and no rain is expected for at least three days.
First you need to know that it can be disastrous if it rains before your driveway sealer dries.
If this is your first time opt for premixed driveway sealcoating so you re pouring right from the bucket with no blending or mixing required.