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How Often Should I Seal my Driveway?

Many home owners are at a loss as to how often they should seal coat their driveway. Asphalt driveways need to be sealed to protect them from sun and various chemical substances that are leaked and spilled on them. When your asphalt driveway is looking grey and tired it's time to do it a favor and get some quality asphalt sealer on it quickly. DIY'ers commonly over seal their driveways or over apply the material. Here's some professional tips to maintaining your asphalt driveway.

What types of sealer should I use? In the commercial market there are 3 types of sealer. Coal tar, asphalt emulsion and oil based. Here's my opinion on the three.

Coal tar is the best sealer available. Commonly mixed with sand, latex, water and additives to provide a flat black appearance that's good looking and durable. The first choice of the seal coating industry. If you're going to do it yourself buy a quality product and be sure to stir thoroughly. Lasts 2-4 years when professionally applied.

Asphalt emulsion second choice of the industry. Has a bluish look, not as durable as coal tar and many people find the appearance less than satisfying.

Oil based sometimes called "Gilsonite or Rejuvenator". Not recommended due to it's lack of durability and tendency to stay tacky. Has no sand or filler, dries to a shiny look and can be very slippery when wet.

How do I prepare my driveway? Cracks should be repaired at this time. Clean all cracks and remove the debris. Hot tar is the most effective sealant for asphalt cracks. The homeowner can now purchase tar in a tape form that can be put in place and melted with a hand torch. Crack sealers should be as thick as possible and applied to clean dry cracks.

A typical driveway only requires blowing off and sweeping a few heavily soiled areas. Extremely dirty driveways should be pressure washed prior to applying seal coat. If you driveway is under a heavy canopy of trees pressure washing is also recommended due to the likelihood of sap residue being present. Sap is usually unobservable and will keep the sealer from adhering.

It's a good idea to tape the edges of your sidewalks, garage aprons and any other surface you don't want sealer touching. Duct tape works great on concrete but tends to leave residue on block, stone and other materials. If you have pavers or flagstone use masking tape instead.

What's the best way to apply the sealer? Well homeowners really have only 2 choices: a brush or a squeegee. Most professionals choose to apply sealer with a spray system that leaves a uniform and consistent appearance.

When spraying professional contractors will brush out away from garages, sidewalks and buildings and the spray the balance.

How long does it take to dry? Drying and curing are 2 very different things. Drying time in the summer on a warm, sunny day can be less than 1 hour. Curing takes 24 to 48 hours and that's how long you should stay off the driveway with your vehicles.

If you follow these steps you should be able to have your driveway look as good as it possibly can for a few more years.