QA

Quick Answer: How To Seal Asphalt

What is the best way to seal asphalt driveway?

Does asphalt need to be sealed?

Asphalt driveways should be resealed about once every three years to maintain their appearance and protect them from cracks and oil damage. As with concrete, finish the repairs, allow time for curing and clean before sealing. Asphalt sealer comes in 5-gallon drums that sell from about $8 to $20.

Can you seal an asphalt driveway yourself?

Here are some general things to know about DIY driveway sealing: 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. Asphalt sealers cure in just a few hours, but the driveway can’t be used for vehicle traffic for 24 to 48 hours.

When Should I seal my asphalt driveway?

It is recommended to seal your driveway every two to five years. Though, if you can see the color of the stones that make up the asphalt, it is time to seal it again. Ideally the best time of year for driveway sealcoating is between May and October.

Is it cheaper to seal your own driveway?

Sealing the driveway yourself will be cheaper than hiring a professional, but you’re still going to have to fork over some cash to do the job right. According to CostHelper, DIY supplies cost about about $50 to $200, depending on the driveway’s condition and size.

Is it better to spray or brush driveway sealer?

Sprayers provide better control of the amount of sealant used, making the application process more precise. Squeegee machines take a little longer than sprayers, but hand squeegees are the most timeconsuming. On many jobs, it will take twice as long for workers to apply sealcoating by hand.

How much does sealing a driveway cost?

The average cost to seal a 20′x24′ two-car driveway is between $100 and $190 depending upon the extent of cracks and holes, the size and layout of your driveway, and the type of sealer used.Driveway Sealing Cost. National Average Cost $160 Maximum Cost $960 Average Range $100 to $190.

Does sealing asphalt extend life?

Sealcoating protects and prolongs the life expectancy of asphalt pavement by filling surface damage and providing a protective layer to keep out damaging UV rays, vehicle fluids, and water. A properly maintained and sealed asphalt surface has an extended lifetime and reduces long-term repair costs.

Is oil based driveway sealer better?

Unlike water-based driveway sealers, oil-based varieties have a longer cure time and distinct odor that is quite strong and often lingers in the air for days after the sealing is complete. Oil-based sealers also contain VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which pollute the environment.

How much does a 5 gallon bucket of driveway sealer cover?

Average Asphalt Sealer Prices Note: The typical 5-gallon sealcoat container can cover between 250-500 square feet depending on the material’s condition and texture.

How do I prep my driveway for sealing?

Instructions Prep the Area. Remove the grass overhanging the edges of the surface, and then sweep the surface clean with a push broom. Fill in Cracks and Depressions. Spray Down the Asphalt. Mix the Sealant. Apply the Sealant. Allow Sealant to Dry.

What type of driveway sealer is best?

Coal tar asphalt driveway sealer is considered the standard for asphalt — in some places, that is. The preferred choice for both asphalt driveways and streets for many years, coal tar sealer is made from sticky coal tar. It can last for up to five years on a driveway.

What is the best time of year to seal a driveway?

Spring Is The Best Time To Seal Coat Your Asphalt It means your driveways and parking lots look great for the entire year, and warm spring weather is the perfect temperature for a well-set coat. Plus, a fresh seal coat is easily damaged by winter machinery, like snow plows.

How cold is too cold to seal driveway?

Sealcoating anytime after October 31st, the nighttime temperatures fall below 40 degrees. This could cause problems with a water based asphalt sealer. Pavement sealers are best applied when the temperatures are a MINIMUM of 55 degrees and RISING and do not fall below 50 degrees for 48 hours after application.

Can it be too hot to seal a driveway?

You’ll need at least two days of dry weather to seal your asphalt driveway. Temperatures must be above 50 degrees F during application and throughout the night. And, it’s best to avoid scorching-hot sunny days (the sealer may dry too fast).

Does sealcoating fill cracks?

Sealcoating is not designed to be an asphalt crack filler, it is made for sealing the surface and protecting it from the elements such as UV light, salts and oils. It is not flexible enough to fill a crack without re-cracking and it does not have adhesion quality’s that Asphalt Crack Filler has.

Do it yourself driveway sealer vs professional?

The biggest difference between DIY sealcoating and professional sealcoating is that professionals use spray tanks. Edges are still done the same way, but large areas are evenly coated with a large tank that feeds a high pressure spray wand.

What temperature does it need to be to seal a driveway?

What’s the best temperature to seal a driveway? The ideal conditions for application are during the day when pavement and ambient temperatures are at least 50°F and rising, and no rain is forecasted for 24 hours. If these recommendations are not followed, the procedure will not yield desired results.

How long should I let my driveway after it is sealed?

You can typically drive on sealed asphalt after 24 hours. However, we recommend giving it 48 hours, if possible, to be sure. If the weather is humid, cloudy, or cool, we recommend to give your asphalt an additional day to dry.

Is it worth it to seal driveway?

Kindler said sealing helps prolong the life of a driveway and should be a regular part of home maintenance. “If you seal-coat a driveway or a highway, the surface will last longer,” said Kindler, who teaches a pavement class at Ohio State University. “I would recommend doing it about every three years on a driveway.”Apr 30, 2017.

How long should you stay off a newly sealed driveway?

During the summer months of May through August we recommend staying off the driveway with vehicles for 48 hours. After September 1st allow 72 hours or more depending on the temperature. Driveway sealer will dry like paint from the top down. It may feel dry on the surface but may still be wet underneath.